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Thanks for the complements guys! My tumble weed "fro" is embiggened 🤠
DL,
This is the Ortur laser master 3, a 10 Watt optical power device. About $650 several years ago. This class of laser is one of a gazillion brands available.
For cutting the 1/8" hardboard, I only used it at about 1/2 power, but running slower or more passes also allows you to do the same cut with a cheaper unit.
I can cut the 1/4" hardboard directly and skip the thin "master" template step, but my thicker working templates wear out after a certain number of uses due to the DS tape occasionally ripping out chunks.
It's also less wear on the laser since the devices "hour" countdown to death is lower.
I have no problems cutting templates on the TS if there are just straight edges, but fairing any curves is always a pain.
I consider that work relegated to my minions, laser being my top chump at this time 🧐
The ellipse is a perfect example of a template I hate to hand shape. Another is the arched rails on A&C stuff. Seems everyone I make needs a different radius and setting up a trammel to cut the arch into a template is not something I consider fun anymore, especially when the radius becomes larger than 12"
Only thing easier I can think of is a full CNC cutter to just add the curves to the part directly.
DL,
This is the Ortur laser master 3, a 10 Watt optical power device. About $650 several years ago. This class of laser is one of a gazillion brands available.
For cutting the 1/8" hardboard, I only used it at about 1/2 power, but running slower or more passes also allows you to do the same cut with a cheaper unit.
I can cut the 1/4" hardboard directly and skip the thin "master" template step, but my thicker working templates wear out after a certain number of uses due to the DS tape occasionally ripping out chunks.
It's also less wear on the laser since the devices "hour" countdown to death is lower.
I have no problems cutting templates on the TS if there are just straight edges, but fairing any curves is always a pain.
I consider that work relegated to my minions, laser being my top chump at this time 🧐
The ellipse is a perfect example of a template I hate to hand shape. Another is the arched rails on A&C stuff. Seems everyone I make needs a different radius and setting up a trammel to cut the arch into a template is not something I consider fun anymore, especially when the radius becomes larger than 12"
Only thing easier I can think of is a full CNC cutter to just add the curves to the part directly.
