Maple Hardwood
Generic / House Brand
☀ UV Stable
✓ Food Safe
Overview
Light-colored, dense hardwood with fine grain. Excellent engraving surface with high contrast — engrave marks appear dark amber against pale background. Used heavily for cutting boards, kitchen items, and personalized gifts. Very popular for diode lasers.
Properties
Difficulty
beginner
Flexibility
rigid
Layer Adhesion
excellent
Enclosure
no
Heated Bed
no
Dry Storage
no
Pros
- High contrast engravings on pale background
- Food safe (no finish required for boards)
- Dense and durable
- Fine grain for excellent detail
- Widely available
- Beautiful result
Cons
- Dense — requires more power or slower speeds than pine
- Can scorch at edges if speed too low
- More expensive than pine
- Grain affects cut depth on thick boards
Best For
- Cutting boards|Kitchen items|Gift items|Awards|Signs|Portrait engravings
Avoid For
- Very thick cutting (3/4" needs high-power or many passes)
Storage
Store flat. Hardwood warps if humidity changes — let acclimate to shop environment for 48 hours before cutting. Tape surface to prevent scorch marks around engraving.
Laser Compatibility
Diode 20W: 800mm/s, 70% power for light engrave. 3mm: 120mm/s 100% (2 passes). CO2 80W: 350mm/s, 45% engrave; 25mm/s 100% for 6mm 1 pass. Use masking tape to prevent halo scorch.
Brands
WoodcraftAmazonLowe'sHome DepotInventables