You may have gathered that some of my projects are laser centric. Not that I'm ashamed as I have dabbled in the woodworking arts in the past but am spruiking for recruits to share my nefarious activities.
Don't fret too much as I don't plan to stop posting these type of articles... and also plan to migrate a swag more across to this site, however, I'm just keen to know how many allies may be slightly interested, with a gumption that the rest/majority will ignore.
My single defense is that;
I already own a laser.
Many of the projects have been plagiarised from solid works so they are not limited to CNC/Laser work.
I am lazy.
I can't count.
I will add that I bought a fairly high end unit about 13 years ago to set my daughter up in business... who kindly declined after the cheque was signed and the machine delivered/installed... no refund.
My laser is a Trotec Speedy 100 with an ATMOS Mono filter and a rotary attachment, not that I'm bragging, it's just that I hate seeing posts without pictures. Late EDIT: I have posted quite a few blogs on LJ that involves my laser... Gradually I will be copying a lot of them here to Craftisian periodically. I believe a lot of them can be migrated over to CNC use.
I usually design/import into SketchUp (Pro) and then filter through Layout to CorelDraw (X8) and from there I print direct to my laser, much like you would to an inkjet. My laser engraves black vector and cuts predefined hairline colour in a particular sequence.
I'm not familiar with CNC formatted file or what other lasers use (eg. LightBurn)...
For anyone interested, these are the formats of my designs I can create from SketchUp and CorelDraw that you may be able to convert/import into your specific software for processing on your machine... CorelDraw, SketchUp, Just drop me a PM if you find anything interesting.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Mine's not CNC but rather laser oriented, however, if any of my stuff can be made available from SkerchUp, PDF or CorelDraw (eg SVG, DWG, DXF, ???) for CNCing just ask... wont even cost anyone a cask. Must admit though, I'm G-code ignorant... code RC... code!
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Mine is a less expensive and less powerful Ortur Laser. It is in a housing I made with lights, air, and vent. Used it on the Breast Cancer Hearts and some other non migrated projects. Tedious at times with the software but yields decent results in the range of its ability.
I've also adopted a diode laser (Ortur LM3). 10 Watts of optical power but I haven't yet really pushed the need for power as I generally run at less that 50%.
Purchased for the spousal unit to help with her fused glass engraving on dichroic and irridescent works; Does a fantastic job on that stuff, but I find it great for cutting hardboard router templates with curves and such. Normally I'd use a bandsaw, then shape the templates by hand but I hate filing/sanding with a passion.
Latest works have been cutting veneers for parquetry. Another thing I could do by hand but I get bored after a few pieces, This allows me to spend my enthusiasm on the creation and less on the drudgery (which there is still plenty)
All these blindingly small bits get placed onto adhesive shelf paper with tweezers. With this panel, I tried to keep the zebra wood sequential so it would better resemble a basket weave.
I like the 3D effect people do with cutting boards and have applied the style to another panel (upcoming project post).
It's a fun tool, really saves time on items that can be done other ways, but this makes it worth my efforts to try. The software (LightBurn) is super versatile and makes the design/layout stupid simple. Most of the effort is getting the heat and speed set for the best cut, but once perfected I just add it to the "material library" and call up those settings when I have a project.
My first attempt at veneer parquetry was another panel waiting for incorporation into "something" TBD.
LBD, I just run minimal air assist and low power w/2 passes. The veneer is taped to a raised glass window pane so the back side of the veneer doesn't get heat from the support. I think a CO2 will heat the glass so that may be tough. I wish I could cut acrylic, but the diode passes right through. A CO2 will read the acrylic as opaque and actually cut the darn stuff.
After I glue the veneer to some plywood, I'll give it a sanding to level it out, but there isn't any cooking of the wood.
I've never got into the technical what, where, when and who, as I hate reading and living in downtown Churchill (20 cavemen, 1 scared cave lady, 2 dinos, 3 kangaroos, 1 coala, 1 wombat that eats roots and leaves, and 1 henpecked duck) I don't get a chance to talk laser with too many in the know 'cept some jerk in the mirror.
All I know is that mine cuts acrylic/engraves like butter with a crystal clear edge, the holes in the base was to poke out wrong pieces with a toothpick (it's 55mm x 75mm)... and I haven't mastered the wicking technique... see thru top... (75mm x 75mm x 50mm) , buggered this up by trying to import a "wise man" (cest moi)... the laser objected... but the jigsaw was perfect... (160mm dia.).
So mine must be a CO2... does that mean I'm an environmentalist or a filthy polluter?
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
I have a cheaply Amazon Chinesium laser engraver…that actually works really well! But between the Shaper Origin, and the 3D printer, (and the laser engraver) I screw around with a lot of different file types to make it all work. I feel like they’re all a great addition to a workshop. And learning about them as part of a woodworking forum is a great resource for myself and others, so thanks for posting!
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
So mine must be a CO2... does that mean I'm an environmentalist or a filthy polluter?
Well you better decide soon if you are going to keep it. Wait a year and if the unit goes belly up, you'll be looking for a hazmat crew to come by and remove the toxin filled heart with all that dangerous CO2. The call out, cleanup, and internment at the internationally certified bunker will set you back a few ducats. The author-o-tay will also probably level a large fine for buying the WMD monster in the first place.
Nice topic, I want a diode laser and might get a KM40 at some point which seems pretty popular for the cheap.
I do have a Shaper Origin and I have preordered a Maker Carvera which will probably be here in March or April I think. That machine will be my first true adventure into the CNC world. I already do CAD work for the origin but I don't have to worry about the CAM part which I will have to learn coming up.
Good thread, I'll be joining in.
Lincoln - "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." Dave in AZ
I'd kill for a Shaper KC... Not available in Aussieland and the Yankeeland suppliers wont ship to Australia due to lack of support, potentially jeopardising their product/reputation.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
I've been on their back for about 3 years since I first heard about them... Even tried to buy one for use with my stepdown transformer (I use a few 100V stuff)... no go.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
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