Keep the range value to 400 units or less, other wise the laser will pass through the wall because it is going out of bounds. If you want to see exactly what I mean, put a laser close enough to the edge for the range to exceed the distance to the edge of the map.

THAT's why I was having probz with not drilling walls. Works great for Rock Monster army, though.

Even though we have everything you mentioned documented in topics spread out over the forum, having a single tutorial topic for modding lasers is a good thing. However, do also search for things before making topics, in case someone has already made such a topic.

What? Someone already made a topic like this one?

Source: The Ultimate Lazer Mod

I learned that fact the hard way when I made the range 120 blocks.