The Crafty Catsman workshop guides
Laser cutters
& engravers.
For wood and acrylic projects, start with our CO₂ comparisons. For names, logos and designs on metal, compare fiber and MOPA engravers. For cutting metal parts or welding, read the MCore and M3 guides. Each guide explains its testing or research basis, software requirements and the equipment to budget for.
Browse all 38 guidesWood & acrylic
Cut signs, panels and project parts.
Start with the sheet size and material you want to cut. These guides compare CO₂ machines, their software and the space they need.
Metal engraving
Add names, logos and detailed marks.
Compare fiber, MOPA and fiber-plus-diode engravers. The guides explain focus, marking area, software and what the upgrades change.
Metal cutting & welding
Make metal parts and assemblies.
MCore and M3 cover different fabrication jobs. Read the material limits and installation requirements before budgeting for either machine.
Already own a laser?
Software, setup and the cost of a job.
Find a machine or topic
All laser guides
Comparisons, individual machines and workshop tools. Open a group to see every guide.
CO₂ machines and comparisons15 guides
- Compare CO₂ laser cuttersxTool, OMTech, Glowforge and Gweike in one buying guide.
- OMTech Polar 2 and Polar LiteRF or glass, desktop size, package contents and software.
- xTool P3 vs P2S vs P2Compare the three CO₂ machines and their workshop requirements.
- xTool P3 guideFeatures, setup and comparisons with smaller CO₂ machines.
- xTool P2 vs P2SWhat changed between the two desktop machines.
- Bambu Lab R1 laser guideMachine details, total setup costs and comparisons.
- OMTech Pro Quantum guideRF CO₂, camera setup and rotary packages.
- OMTech Pro FLUX guideFlying-galvo engraving, cutting and PowerCut software.
- OMTech CO₂ lineup comparedMaker, Pronto and larger workshop machines.
- OMTech 60W CO₂ guideMachine specifications and workshop setup.
- xTool P2S vs OMTech PolarDesktop CO₂ machines compared.
- xTool P2S vs Glowforge ProCompare machines, software and workshop needs.
- xTool P3 vs Glowforge ProCompare larger CO₂ options and software.
- OMTech Polar vs Glowforge ProDesktop CO₂ machines and their buying considerations.
- xTool X1: hands-on first lookThe xTool X1 has been in our workshop since September 2026 with its 55W CO₂, 20W diode, and 60W MOPA sources installed, and we have spent the weeks since then testing it. xTool supplied this review unit.
Fiber, diode and UV engraving8 guides
- Gweike G3: all five modelsOrdinary fiber or MOPA, with a diode for suitable nonmetals.
- OMTech MOPA: Autofocus vs SplitCompare focus, marking area, software and packages.
- OMTech Solis Duo explainedThree fiber-and-diode models, including their focus differences.
- xTool F2 Ultra guideMOPA and diode configurations, features and comparisons.
- xTool F2 Ultra UV guideUV laser marking and how it differs from fiber and diode.
- Hanboost T1 ProCompact engraving, published specifications and review status.
- xTool M2 Color Craft guideMachine features and craft applications.
- xTool P2S vs F2Compare a CO₂ cutter with a compact engraver.
Metal cutting and fabrication2 guides
Software, setup and project costs8 guides
- LightBurn software guideSupported machines, licenses and setup.
- CO₂ laser specificationsWork areas, laser types and other published specifications.
- xTool SafetyPro AP2 guideFiltration and planning the exhaust setup.
- Laser project profit calculatorPrice materials, machine time and labor.
- Workshop cost calculatorEstimate equipment and operating costs.
- Laser project ideas and pricingProducts to make and the costs to consider.
- Atomm laser design tutorialPreparing a design for a laser project.
- X-Carve CNC vs xTool P2Compare routing and laser cutting for workshop projects.
Brand guides and more reading5 guides
- OMTech Pro Arc announcement trackerWhat OMTech announced and which details remain unpublished.
- Explore xToolMachine guides and projects in the xTool workshop.
- Explore OMTechCO₂ cutters, fiber engravers and other OMTech machines.
- Explore GweikeMCore, M3 and G3 guides on Planet Gweike.
- Glowforge guidesGlowforge comparisons and buying guides.
Our guides distinguish hands-on work from research using manufacturers’ specifications and manuals. Read our editorial policy for how we report testing and supplied review units.