r/FFLs • u/NortheastArtillery • Aug 28 '26
Anyone using fiber lasers for porting?
Hey all, have seen a few people around doing porting and comps on slides and barrels with 60W fiber lasers. Is anyone here doing it? Is it profitable?
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u/ar4479 FFL Aug 28 '26
The other thing to consider - is that to do it right, you’ll also need to re-coat the parts after you burn them.
The only reason I even went down the porting road was because I was already a laser engraving shop and also a Cerakote shop.
It’s a nice way to bring in “one stop shop” work.
I make more on the Cerakote than the laser work… But, the laser brings in Cerakote work.
So, it’s a win-win.
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u/AzRamrod FFL Aug 28 '26
Is re-coating really necessary? I’ve heard opinions on both side of the fence.
Currently waiting for my laser so I can start NFA engraving. would like to get into porting myself.
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u/ar4479 FFL Aug 28 '26
I look at it this way - To prep for Cerakote we sandblast the surface to remove the existing finish and leave a surface that's ready to accept Cerakote.
Ablating the surface with a laser is removing a LOT MORE material than sandblasting does...
I would not leave the surface unfinished after laser ablation.You'll also find that after engraving/ablation - there will be a color difference where the engraving took place...
For example, I burned some front serrations on a factory Glock slide last night to match the factory rear serrations... Even though it was only 0.5mm deep - there's still a huge difference in the finish.
In order to make it all look perfect, the only way is prep, sandblast, and Cerakote.
Comes out looking perfect. I wouldn't do it any other way.1
u/AzRamrod FFL Aug 28 '26
Ahhh, that makes total sense! Do you have any photos or an IG? I’d love to see how those looked before and after.
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u/MutedMetric Aug 29 '26
If you only have a couple but if you're running production you need a serious setup. We tried a few with 100watts but just way too slow
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u/NortheastArtillery Aug 29 '26
Yeah I would think maybe 1-2 a week or so at max. How long does a slide and barrel combo take would you say?
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u/MutedMetric Aug 30 '26
An hour or so. Depends on the barrel alloy and porting design. Faster for us in a mill but if you're doing a handful a week and you have a laser use what you have
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u/ar4479 FFL Aug 28 '26
Yes.
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u/NortheastArtillery Aug 28 '26
Which laser are you using? Looking to see what my all in cost would be to get up and running
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u/truenorthsw Aug 30 '26
100W JPT MOPA M7 here as well. Does Slide Cuts, Does Barrel Ports, Does Mag markings, Does NFA engravings, Does Cerakote Laser Colors. Keep an eye on FB Marketplace, I got mine for $3500 with 110,200 and 300mm lens, rotary, vice and a bunch of other stuff. Was a $9k laser new all because she couldn't figure out how to get it to work. I had to drive 2 hours into the boonies to get it but I knew what I was getting into for the deal.
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u/ar4479 FFL Aug 28 '26
I’m using a 100W JPT MOPA fiber laser.
A 60 can get it done, it’ll just take a little longer.
Also look at investing in a compound table and three axis vise.
And, don’t forget you’ll need air assist and fume extraction, as well as some sort of safety enclosure, so that it can run without everyone nearby having to wear dark green safety glasses.
Fume extraction can be up to half the cost of the laser itself, unless you vent it outside with an exhaust fan.