Well, I went and did it... Technology is my thing, and CBG's have been a good diversion from my professional life, but it has to bleed in somehow... I've been using 3d printed tone/volume knobs for some time, but I went and upped my game this year:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GFWJWOQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Damn, if the price hasn't dropped!
(Apparently, they're proud of their wheels.) The kit comes with everything except a water reservoir: YES, the laser is water cooled, and you'll need a 3-5 gallon bucket for a heatsink...
Anyway: First the disclaimer: This is not for the technologically impaired. This machine is far from consumer ready! It requires some computer knowledge, and a LOT of adjusting to make work... The software is frustrating as heck... oh, and I would dedicate a computer to this...
If you're looking for something that "just works" look at the glowforge for $3K, an Epilog for $5k or a Full Spectrum Laser for $5k-10k...
I've been doing some tests, etching boxes with my labels:
And accidentally lighting things on fire...
What I HAVE done, is figured out that SOME plywood just doesn't want to cut (Padron boxes), while the blank boxes at Joann's cut uber-easy:
I have made a couple guitars with laser cut sound holes:
Works great for making preamp pedals and amps, too!
I'm still figuring it out, but having a lot of fun...
When selling at craft shows, how to you make your signs? I found a stencil font, created a layout, and laser cut it out of multiple pieces of cardboard... it worked really really well!
Oh: Be careful with these things: There's no lockout on the lid and a reflection of a 40W laser can only cause one thing: Blindness... so be very careful... I just bought a microswitch so I can wire it in-line with the laser arming system.
Just to give credit where credit is due: Another member here posted on a similar subject some time ago, and on his recommendation I bought this... Now if I could only find the original post to give him credit... grr...
Replies
That's not too bad when it includes the airfares of a technician to set it up and train me. I passed on that idea. I like hand tools anyway. But watching the promo video had me sold.
Cheers Taff
Heck, for $6,000 and a room I'll come deliver one of these! :-)
i have wanted one of these for many years. the price still hasnt come down enough for me.. this one "doesnt ship to Australia" bugger
do you find the 300 mm x 200 mm ( 12"x 8") cutting area to be limiting? my first real job was as a CNC programmer on a 650W choerent everlase CO2 laser back in 1981..lol at least you dont have to feed it punched tape to program it..:-)
Cool stuff, and I'd love one, but I really don't think I could cope with setting up the computer and software, seeing as you can't fix that sort of thing with hammer (that's my level of hi-tech adjustment resolution ). Mind you..how much would you charge to get me help me set one of these up?!
Truthfully, I am happy to help... this is a labor of love . . .
Truthfully, the software is garbage:2012 version of Corel draw/laser... designed for windows XP. If you can get past that, it isn’t that hard.
I would be happy to skype with you and go through the issues and setup... maybe a Saturday afternoon/evening your time... I am GMT-9... given your mechanical skills, it isn’t that hard... laser alignment takes a bit of work, but approached logically, it takes a couple of hours. The rest of it is more about doing a lot of testing to see what works for you and your materials. Keeping a log will improve success...
Thanks for the offer..at the monent I've got a lot of other things I need to get in with at the moment.