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Every CO2 laser mirror is a consumable. That is not a design flaw, it is physics. Mirrors get hit with reflected energy, smoke residue, and the occasional flare-up from a piece of acrylic that decided to catch fire at 2am. Eventually the coating pits, the surface hazes past the point where alcohol and a cotton swab can save it, and cutting power drops. You replace the mirror. That is normal, expected, and budgeted for. The interesting question is what you have to replace alongside it. Why the mirror is bonded in from the factory If you own a OneLaser machine, a VertiGo Laser, or a Thunder Laser "Bolt" series cutter, your mirror is bonded into its holder rather than clamped. That is a deliberate choice, and it is a good one for the job it has to do. A bonded optic arrives perfectly seated and factory-aligned. It cannot shift, rattle loose, or rotate during a few thousand miles of freight handling, and it cannot be installed slightly crooked by someone assembling a machine for the first time. For a product that has to survive international shipping and then work correctly out of the box for a customer who may never have touched laser optics before, bonding is the reliable answer. We build machines too. Our own VertiGo Laser ships the same way, for the same reasons, so we understand exactly why that decision gets made. The tradeoff shows up later. Once the machine is unboxed, aligned, and earning its keep, that same bond means the mirror and the mount are a single part forever. When the optic wears out, the machined aluminum goes with it, even though it is still perfectly flat, perfectly square, and perfectly functional. Nothing wrong with that on day one. It just stops being the ideal arrangement on day four hundred. A holder built for the maintenance phase So we designed an alternative for the part of the machine's life that comes after shipping: a direct drop-in replacement that clamps the mirror mechanically instead of bonding it. It is cut from aluminum plate, black anodized, and dimensioned to match the original assembly, so it drops into your existing mounting position without shimming, filing, or realignment gymnastics. The circular cradle accepts a standard 25mm CO2 mirror. The nylon-tipped set screws hold it in place. When the mirror wears out: Loosen the set screws with the included hex key Lift the old mirror out Drop the new one in Snug the set screws down Get back to work The holder itself does not wear out. Fit it once, and every future mirror change costs you the price of the mirror and nothing else. Why nylon-tipped set screws matter This is a small detail that makes a large difference, so it is worth a paragraph. A standard steel set screw driven against the edge of a CO2 mirror might chip it. Molybdenum is reasonably tough, but silicon substrates are brittle, and a hard steel point concentrating clamping force on a thin edge is exactly the wrong combination. You may not crack it on installation. You may crack it three months later when thermal cycling has done its work. Nylon tips spread the contact load across a softer interface. They grip firmly enough that the mirror will not shift under machine vibration, but they will not gouge the coating or fracture the substrate. It is the same reason optical mounts across the industry use them. Pick whatever mirror you want The other thing a clamped mount gives you is choice. Instead of taking whatever optic came bonded in, you get to match the mirror to the work you actually do. Molybdenum. The default recommendation for most users. Reflectivity in the mid-90s percentage-wise, but far more resistant to scratching and to the abuse of aggressive cleaning. If your shop runs dirty, or if you are the kind of person who cleans optics with more enthusiasm than delicacy, molybdenum will forgive you.Find molybdenum mirrors on Amazon Silicon with gold coating. Highest reflectivity of the common options, which translates to more of your tube's power reaching the work. The tradeoff is fragility. The coating is soft and will not survive rough handling or abrasive cleaning. Excellent choice if you are chasing maximum throughput and you are careful.Find gold-coated silicon mirrors on Amazon Copper. Strong thermal conductivity, which helps on higher-wattage machines where heat buildup in the optic is a real concern. Heavier and typically pricier.Find copper mirrors on Amazon Any standard 25mm (1 inch) CO2 laser mirror will seat in the cradle. They are stocked by Amazon, by the specialty optics suppliers, and by most laser parts vendors, usually for around $25 depending on material. A small sustainability bonus We are not going to oversell this, but it is a nice side effect. Once the mount is reusable, a consumable optic stays just that: a consumable optic. One piece of machined aluminum serves however many mirrors you go through over the life of the machine, instead of a fresh one each time. What ships in the box One machined aluminum mirror holder, black anodized Nylon-tipped set screws, installed Hex key for installation The mirror is not included. That is intentional, not an oversight. The entire point of the product is that you source the optic yourself, in the material you want, at the price you want, from whoever you want. Before you order Confirm your existing mirror is 25mm. This holder is built for OneLaser, VertiGo Laser, and Thunder Laser "Bolt" series machines, and those are the fitments we have verified. If you are running something else and you think it might work, message us with your machine model and we will tell you honestly whether it will or will not. Built by people who build lasers We designed this holder because we run into the same maintenance realities our customers do. If you are shopping for a machine rather than a spare part, take a look at the VertiGo Laser: our own CO2 platform, designed and supported here, and the machine that taught us most of what went into this part. Buy the Reusable Mirror Holder As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Mirror links above are affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra and helps support content like this.

One of the best parts of the maker community is how often the people building real businesses are the same people giving back and pulling others up with them. That’s exactly why the Michigan Maker Summit feels so authentic.   The summit is hosted by Blake Sandborn, one of our LensDigital Innovators and affiliates. Blake isn’t a conference organizer who stepped into making. He’s a maker who built something real and then decided to create a space where others could learn faster and avoid some of the hard lessons. Blake runs Great Lakes Laser Supply, a business many engravers already know for its hat clips and blanks. If you’ve ever engraved hats at scale, you understand why that niche matters. His products solve very practical problems makers run into every day, and that practical mindset shows up all over the Summit. Check out the Summit, everything is very interactive. Machines are running. People are looking around setups, asking real questions, comparing machines, techniques, and learning by doing. This isn’t a sit-back-and-listen kind of event. It’s hands-on, shop-floor learning, the kind that actually sticks. Also, make sure you catch the Fox 17 Morning Mix segment covering the event. We loved seeing the Grip 2 on display, set up and working the way makers actually use it in their shops. No polish for the sake of polish. Just tools being used in the real world, which is exactly what events like this should highlight. The Michigan Maker Summit is at an intersection of tools, technique, and business strategy. You’ll see lasers and engraving systems in action, but you’ll also hear the conversations that matter just as much. Pricing, workflow, material choices, scaling production, and finding products and gift ideas that actually sell. Those random conversations are often where the biggest breakthroughs happen. If you’re anywhere near Michigan and serious about laser engraving, fabrication, or building a maker business that lasts, this is worth your time. And if you want to learn more about the event Blake has put together, you can find all the details here: https://www.michiganmakersummit.com/#about-us    

Looking for the best laser engraver for tumblers? VertiGo is a new and revolutionary vertical laser engraver built specifically for cups, tumblers, and cylindrical objects. Faster, more consistent, and more versatile than traditional rotary setups.

We poked around the internet to find people posting their thoughts about PiBurn rotaries. Here are just a few of the reviews we found on the PiBurn Labs group:

Learn how to start a profitable tumbler engraving business from home. A step-by-step guide for side hustlers using lasers, rotaries, and smart marketing.

Discover the best laser fume extractors for your engraver. Compare top air filtration systems under $5,000, learn about health risks, and find the perfect solution to protect your workspace.

Which Laser Rotary Should You Get? Here is a question we get a lot: With all the options out there, which laser rotary should I get? At LensDigital, we understand the importance of choosing the right equipment to ensure the success of your laser engraving business. That's why we offer different laser rotaries designed to cater to a variety of customer needs. In this post, we'll compare two of our popular products - the PiBurn V and the PiBurn Grip 2 - as well as introduce you to our innovative multi-purpose rotary, the PiBurn Omni 2. Types of Laser Rotaries: Chuck and Roller Styles There are two styles of laser rotaries: Chuck and Roller styles. The PiBurn Grip 2 is a chuck-style rotary, while the PiBurn V is a roller. The PiBurn Omni 2 is Both! Roller rotaries rely on friction to spin your object. To increase the friction between your cup and the motorized wheel, the PiBurn V uses an innovative clamp. It works great for most items and is very easy to operate. Chuck rotaries do not rely on friction, rather they firmly grasp the object with chuck jaws. The PiBurn Grip is a brand-new chuck rotary designed and built just for laser engravers. Want more info on Chuck vs Roller Rotary Attachments? Read this. What do they look like and how much do they cost? PiBurn V: The Classic Roller  From $1,049 This is a user friendly yet powerful rotary that uses motorized wheels and a clamp to rotate your objects securely so that your laser can engrave on it. PiBurn Grip 2: Chuck-Style for Laser Engraving  From $1,439 This rotary has a chuck system with interchangeable jaws. It is a bit more complex to use than the PiBurn but it is extremely precise and versatile. You can swap out the jaws to accommodate many items. PiBurn Omni 2: Best of Both Worlds  From $1,979 This rotary has BOTH roller wheels and the chuck jaw systems AND they both come with their own dedicated motors so you always have a back-up. Customers love the versatility this rotary gives them. Pros and Cons of Each Style PiBurn V (Roller Style) ✓ PRO Ideal for simple straight tumblers, large batches, and beginners. Easy to use with the option to add the Grip 2 later, giving you the OMNI. ✗ CON May slip with heavy-handled items. Cannot frame at high speeds or use the scoring method. Full wraps can be tricky. PiBurn Grip 2 (Chuck Style) ✓ PRO Perfect for odd-shaped items like pens, rings, and dog bowls. Precision no-slip engraving, full wraps, scoring, and many interchangeable jaw types. ✗ CON More of a learning curve to master. Complex system with interchangeable jaws and moving parts. Adjustments take more time than the PiBurn V. PiBurn Omni 2 (Chuck + Roller) ✓ PRO Both roller and chuck systems with two dedicated motors. Essentially two rotaries in one, giving your business a built-in backup. ✗ CON Fairly heavy and bulky for smaller laser machines. Has a larger footprint than other rotaries. Introducing the PiBurn Omni 2 If you're looking for the best of both worlds, the PiBurn OMNI 2 is an innovative multi-purpose rotary combining Chuck and Roller systems into one state of the art rotary attachment. The Omni 2 consists of the PiBurn V roller and then the Grip 2. It builds on the success of the original OMNI and takes engraving to a whole new level. The OMNI 2 is like having two rotaries in one. It will let you handle anything from high volume production to ad hoc and odd shaped specialty items like rolling pins and dog bowls. Who Should Choose Which Rotary? 🔘 PiBurn V: Ideal for those starting out, running simple tumblers or large batches, and wanting to ease into rotary work with the option to expand later. ⚙️ PiBurn Grip 2: Recommended for advanced users who need the precision of a chuck for scoring and engraving odd-shaped items. ⭐ PiBurn Omni 2: Best for those who want the ease and speed of a roller, the power and precision of a chuck, and the ability to quickly swap between the two systems. Upgrading Your PiBurn V: If you purchase the PiBurn V and later decide to add the Grip functionality, you can do so! This is a popular option for those starting out with rotary work and looking to expand their capabilities in the future. What if I have a Galvo Laser? Just for Galvo applications we have a special rotary that helps you engrave on ANY Galvo style machine. We call it the Galvo Grip  From $799 To help make sense of all of these options, Emily, That Mom With A Laser has made a great explainer video: Still have questions? Join us at PiBurn Labs, our online community on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/piburn Ready to take the plunge? Grab yourself a PiBurn! At LensDigital, we're committed to helping you make the right choice for your laser engraving business. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, our range of rotary options ensures you'll find the perfect fit for your needs. Happy PiBurning!

LensDigital announcement We are delighted to announce that we are now working with FiltraBox to help distribute their filters in the US! We have long loved our FiltraBox Micro as it performed wonderfully through the years of testing the VertiGo with all its prototypes. Now we run it for production! The FiltraBox Micro pairs perfectly we with the VertiGo and, more importantly the makers of FiltraBox, PAT technologies are aligned with our vision of serving the maker community and helping makers succeed!   From FiltraBox: We Refine Air, They Revolutionize Engraving: LensDigital Becomes Filtrabox Distributor We're excited to announce a partnership that brings together two companies dedicated to maker success and continuous innovation. LensDigital has officially signed on as a distributor for Filtrabox by PAT Technology fume extraction systems, creating a powerful synergy between air purification excellence and cutting-edge laser engraving solutions. A Partnership Built on Shared Innovation This partnership makes perfect sense. LensDigital is the maker of the world-famous PiBurn rotary attachments. Now they're revolutionizing the industry again with VertiGo™—the world's first vertical laser engraver designed specifically around a rotary. Just like PAT Technology, LensDigital believes in putting customers above profits, quality above hype, and community above ourselves. We share a creative passion with our customers and take pride in helping them succeed—values that align perfectly with our mission of refining air since 1998. What's Next This partnership represents more than distribution—it's about empowering the maker community with complete solutions from companies that never stop improving. When you purchase Filtrabox systems through LensDigital, you're getting them from people who understand the evolving landscape of laser engraving, from traditional horizontal setups to revolutionary vertical systems. Whether you're using a PiBurn rotary on your existing laser, planning your next steps with the groundbreaking VertiGo vertical system, or running any laser setup, small or large, proper fume extraction isn't optional—it's essential for safe, productive operation. Because clean air and revolutionary engraving technology shouldn't be separate considerations—they should work together seamlessly. Learn more about Filtrabox fume extraction systems through info@lensdigital.com - LensDigital, or contact PAT Technology directly at +1 888-655-8455 or info@pattechnology.com.

Get a POP out of your engravings by inverting the image: Invert Images like a Pro with this simple guide! Engrave on Tumblers with this simple step-by-step guide. Video included.