Hey folks! Just wondering do you stick with a 3” lens for everything, or swap between lenses depending on the project?
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I wouldn’t say using a 3” lens is always a “good habit”—it really depends on the job. I use it when it makes sense, but I definitely switch things up based on what I’m working on.
From my experience, a 3” lens works great for deeper cuts and larger surfaces. The longer focal length gives you more depth of focus, which helps when you’re cutting thicker materials like 6mm or more of wood or acrylic. It also comes in handy if the material isn’t perfectly flat.
That said, I don’t use it for detailed engraving. The beam spot is larger with a 3” lens, so it’s not ideal for fine detail, small text, or photo engraving. For that kind of work, I’ll usually go with a 1.5” or 2” lens because they give you a tighter, more focused beam.
My general rule is to match the lens to the task: 1.5” for fine detail and high-res work, 2.5” as my go-to for general engraving and light cutting, 3” for deep cuts or large, simple designs.
So yeah, I definitely switch it up. Hope this helps!
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Thank you! that’s actually helpful.
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