cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18681689
RP2040, KMK, Laser cut and painted Masonite, and DIY dye-sub (I checked by sawing some keycaps in half... it's kinda crappy, but it's real dye-sub) keycaps. "Mid height" Outemu black, "JWK" low profile keycaps from Aliexpress.
I would be very careful with laser etching plastic unless you know exactly what the material is and if you have a really good venting system in place. The fumes from some plastic can be very toxic and once you have symptoms it's already too late to reverse/heal the damage.
I am personally comfortable with this particular process, but the point is well taken. I am running a 5W diode laser at 2% power on material that I am confident is PBT, a polyester-based plastic. It's open frame, but in a large garage with a decent sized fan directing airflow away from me. No zapping PVC here, or even any intentional material removal. The color comes from an infusible ink marker.