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Can You Cut With a 10W Galvo Laser? What Thickness Can It Actually Cut?
Galvo laser engravers are known for their incredible speed when it comes to engraving. But a question I get asked all the time is: can you actually cut with a 10W galvo laser? And if so, what thickness can it cut?
I've been testing the Tyvok P2 10W galvo laser for a few weeks now, cutting all kinds of different materials to see what it can handle. Here's what I found out.
Short Answer
Yes, a 10W galvo laser can cut, but it's not designed for cutting thick materials like a regular CO2 laser or a large diode laser. Here's what you can realistically expect:
| Material | Maximum Cutting Thickness |
|---|---|
| Thin wood (balsa, pine) | up to 3-4 mm |
| Plywood | up to 2-3 mm |
| Acrylic | up to 2 mm |
| Leather | up to 3 mm |
| Cardboard | up to 5 mm |
| Fabric | up to 2 mm |
So if you're looking to cut thick 1/4" (6mm) plywood or 1/4" acrylic, a 10W galvo isn't the right tool for the job. But for thin materials and especially for engraving, it's fantastic.
Why Galvo Lasers Are Different
To understand why galvo lasers can't cut really thick materials, you need to understand how they work:
Galvo Laser
- Uses oscillating mirrors to move the laser beam
- The beam is always moving quickly
- Focuses on speed for engraving
- Maximum power is concentrated on the surface
Diode / CO2 Laser
- Moves the entire laser head mechanically
- Can hold the beam in one place longer
- Better for penetrating thick materials
- Slower for engraving
Galvo lasers are optimized for speed in engraving, not for deep cutting. That's their trade-off.
My Cutting Tests with 10W Galvo
I tested the Tyvok P2 10W galvo on all the most common materials to see what it could actually cut through. Here are my detailed results:
1. Wood (Soft Pine / Balsa)
- 1 mm: Cuts through easily in 2 passes
- 2 mm: Cuts through cleanly in 3-4 passes
- 3 mm: Cuts through in 5-6 passes
- 4 mm: Can cut through, but requires multiple passes and the edges get charred
- 5 mm: Cannot cut through completely, even with 10+ passes
Verdict: 3 mm is the practical maximum for good results.
2. Plywood
- 1.5 mm: Cuts through cleanly in 3 passes
- 2 mm: Cuts through in 4-5 passes
- 3 mm: Can cut through, but leaves burn marks on the back
- 3 mm+: Won't cut through completely
Verdict: 2 mm plywood is the sweet spot.
3. Acrylic
- 1 mm: Cuts through cleanly in 2 passes
- 2 mm: Cuts through in 4-5 passes, edges are good
- 3 mm: Can't get a clean cut through
Verdict: 2 mm acrylic is the maximum.
4. Leather
- 1 mm: Cuts through easily in 1-2 passes
- 2 mm: Cuts cleanly in 3 passes
- 3 mm: Cuts through in 4-5 passes
- 3 mm+: Too thick for clean cuts
Verdict: 3 mm leather works well.
5. Cardboard
- 3 mm: Cuts through in 1 pass
- 5 mm: Cuts through in 2 passes
- 5 mm+: Can go through but slower
Verdict: 5 mm is no problem.
6. Rubber Stamp Material
- 2 mm: Cuts through perfectly in 2-3 passes
Verdict: Great for rubber stamps.
Tips for Cutting with a 10W Galvo
If you need to cut thin materials with your 10W galvo, here are my tips to get the best results:
1. Use Multiple Passes
Don't try to cut through in one pass. It will just cause excessive burning. Instead, do multiple passes (2-6 depending on thickness) and let each pass gradually cut deeper.
2. Use Lower Speed, Higher Power
For cutting, set your speed slower than you would for engraving, and use maximum power. Typical settings:
- Speed: 50-100 mm/s (slower than engraving)
- Power: 100%
- Passes: 2-6 depending on thickness
3. Air Assist Helps
If your galvo has air assist, use it. It helps blow away debris and keeps the cut cleaner.
4. Test on Scrap First
Always do a test cut on a scrap piece of the same material before cutting your good piece. Settings can vary a lot depending on the exact material.
When Would You Want to Cut with a Galvo Anyway?
You might be wondering — if a galvo can't cut thick materials, why would you ever want to cut with one?
Here are the common scenarios where cutting with a 10W galvo makes sense:
- Making small engraved jewelry — you need to cut out the small shape after engraving
- Custom leather keychains — engrave the design, cut out the shape
- Rubber stamps — perfect thickness for stamp material
- Paper and cardboard crafts — cuts through easily
- Thin wooden coasters — cut the circle after engraving
In all these cases, you're working with thin materials anyway, so the 10W galvo is more than capable. You get the speed benefit of galvo for engraving, and you can still cut out your finished piece.
When You Shouldn't Use a Galvo for Cutting
A 10W galvo isn't the right tool if:
- You regularly need to cut 6mm+ plywood
- You want to cut 3mm+ acrylic
- You're making larger projects like signs or furniture parts
- Cutting is more important to you than engraving speed
In those cases, you'd be better off with a larger diode laser or a CO2 laser with more power.
Final Verdict
A 10W galvo laser can cut, but it has limits. It's great for cutting thin materials (under 3mm) that you've already engraved, which covers most of what beginners and hobbyists actually make.
If you're looking at the Tyvok P2 10W galvo and wondering "can it cut?", the answer is yes — as long as you keep your expectations reasonable about thickness. It won't replace a big CO2 laser, but for most small projects, it gets the job done.
The main reason you buy a galvo is for the incredible engraving speed — it's 5-10x faster than a regular diode laser for engraving. The fact that it can also handle thin cutting is just a bonus.
👉 Check out the Tyvok P2 10W Galvo here: Tyvok P2 Portable Galvo Laser Engraver
Published: March 21, 2026 by Alex Maker
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