Thread: Using a laser cutter - Is it cheating?

Hello all.
I have a client who is a laser cutter & specializes in cutting designs in acrylic. It turns out that they gave my plenty of off cuts & are prepared to cut me some scales for only a couple of dollars. That would save me a heap of time.......is that cheating
They can do all sorts of things like cutting logos or engraving names in the scales. It all super precise.
For a laugh I was thinking of getting two red and two white scales cut. On one of the red ones I'm thinking of getting my last name completely cut out and then gluing the red on top of the white. So when you look down on top it's two tone and when you look from the side you see the white writing with red in the foreground. I wouldn't be able to do that by hand.

That's not cheating at all in my book. If it is cheap, the materials are quality, and the outcome is as desired, that's all that matters. Especially if you've ever accidentaly run your knuckles across a moving 60 grit belt sander.

Many of the guys use lasers,,, It ain't cheating, UNLESS you portray it as hand work, then we all look down on that person, because we all know the difference

Heck no, that is just being smart

I wouldn't hesitate for even a second if I got the opportunity to get scales cut like that!!

Cheating would be if you send the scales out to be done by someone else and end up saying you did it :-). All jokes aside. It doesn't matter if you start from a pre-cut scale design or cut your own with whatever means you have. That's barely the foundation of it all. The real work only starts after that. It's the end result that counts.

A laser is a tool, it is not cheating to use a tool.

Charlie

That seems like asking if ok to make scales from processed slabs of horn, bone or wood. I guess I could cure the material myself, but I have excellent alternatives so wouldn't fuss with those materials regularly.

Holds true with just about anything. Whether cutting the scales, or sourcing the material, etc; If it provides better quality, price and is easier, have someone else do it.
If the above is no, then you do it.

For me seems like more hassle for 'normal' scales. But the extra attention you mention makes sense. Laser engraving or cutting inlays, that makes sense too

I used to operate several lasers and a water jet. Unfortunately this was before I discovered razors. If I still worked there, I would be using it to my full advantage.
Grant

It's cheating if you don't attach the fricking laser beams to sharks.

I use one and I don't think of it as cheating.
Just as it is not cheating with any other power tool.
Tim