Customer Introduction

Hi, I'm Kendra, the founder and artist behind Kendra's Got Wood! My creative journey started back in 2014, making rustic, hand-painted signs with salvaged wood and borrowed tools. It grew from a hobby into a full-time passion, evolving significantly after I invested in a scroll saw in 2017. Now, I combine traditional woodworking with modern techniques, incorporating epoxy, hardwoods, and my Thunder Laser into my art. Running Kendra's Got Wood full-time also allows me to care for Cotton's Freedom Farm, my small rescue farm for goats, ducks, and rabbits, which often inspires my work. I'm passionate about creating unique pieces and helping other makers through my cutting templates and shared resources.

What inspired you to buy a laser?

My business started in the summer of 2014, with just an old pallet and an idea. It began as a fun hobby to make some extra money, before officially growing into Kendra’s Got Wood about a year later. I spent a lot of time making rustic, hand-painted signs with old wood and borrowed tools. In 2017, I invested in a scroll saw and made many hand-cut signs, selling my digital files as well.

Some people started asking for laser cutting files, but at the time, I wasn’t familiar with lasers or the software, and I thought the machines were completely out of my budget. Eventually, I realized it would be a worthwhile investment. I started with a lower-budget machine. It got the job done, but it was definitely more of a learning curve, and nowhere near as good as my Thunder Laser machine.

How did Thunder Laser help you overcome those challenges?

Compared to my old HL 1060, my Thunder Nova 51 offers exceptional ease of use, build quality, and performance. Honestly, the quality of the Thunder Nova 51 is the biggest difference—it’s not only durable but also incredibly user-friendly.

The Thunder machine’s price includes everything you need: LightBurn software, delivery service, and proper air assist and fan. The machine is nearly ready to use right away; you just need to plug everything in, whereas the HL 1060 required additional setup for all those components. The Nova 51 features high-quality components, including durable belts, rails, and a pass-through door for larger materials, while the HL 1060 just lacked these crucial features.

Thunder’s laser delivers better beam quality, greater mechanical accuracy, and the ability to cut thicker materials (such as 1/2" material), something I could never do with the HL. It’s also faster, with less charring, meaning less cleanup after each job. Additionally, when I’m recording content, I can leave it on, and it’s quiet, which is a huge advantage for my workflow.

Thunder’s customer support is also outstanding, offering fast, responsive service and a wealth of online resources, whereas HL 1060 support was much slower and less reliable. The Thunder Nova 51 also comes with built-in safety features such as fire detection and enhanced ventilation, ensuring a safer, more efficient working environment for me. Overall, it offers unmatched value and reliability, making it the ideal choice for me as a laser user.

What you like most about Thunder Laser?

One thing I really like about this machine is that it runs quietly. The air compressor and fan only start when you press the "Start" button, which is a great feature. With my old laser, it was too noisy to record videos, but this one stays silent until you actually begin the job. I can leave it on and do other tasks without worrying about noise at all. Another feature I really like are the pull-out drawers. When small pieces fall from the work surface, they conveniently drop into these drawers. It makes it super easy to clean up and find parts, which is very convenient and saves me a lot of time.

what advice would you give some who is wanting to start a laser?

I’m often asked, “Which laser is best for beginners?” If you're just starting out, a CO₂ laser is a great choice. It’s faster, more powerful, and can cut materials like ¼” thick wood or acrylic, which a diode laser simply can’t handle. Many beginners start with a diode laser, but often regret it when they realize it can’t cut acrylic.

You might think a CO₂ laser is too big for a beginner, but Thunder Laser offers various models, and even the smallest is a CO₂ laser. I recommend getting the most powerful model you can afford. When buying a new laser, always aim for the largest and most powerful option that fits your space and budget. The higher the power, the better the performance; the larger the work area, the more room you have for your projects. So, really think about the long-term projects you plan to make.