[Lab] cheap laser cutters

Mon Aug 31 17:29:51 EDT 2015

Yeah but you said it better. :)

Tom, come and check out the CNC613 project. If you want to try a job, start
coming to our Sunday meetup and learn how to run a job and kaboom, you're
cutting...

The machine was out at Artengine for a bit so artengine, friends and
members could have a go at it. Will do another road trip there if there is
enough interest...

I mentioned my cutter. I should mention it's one of the "cheap Chinese"
ones. Just slightly less cheap since it's slightly bigger. I think these
machines are fine. They're not as turnkey like the epilogue.. You need to
be ready to fix stuff. And the water cooling (as Dave says) is pretty
scary. I've actually had a mishap with my chiller radiator turning into a
pin cushion and dumping all the water. That's probably the least attractive
aspect of these machines. In retrospect the chiller sits in a tray. So any
slow leak would get caught.... Or do like Dave and use a bucket. They never
leak. :) I s'pose one could empty it between use and cover it. To keep dust
out an d prevent a spill...

If the Artengine machine sensor/controller problem gets solved. That could
be sweet for the city. It's a shame to have such a nice machine be under
utilized...

--
Darcy Whyte

Art+ inventorArtist.com <http://inventorartist.com/> | Aviation
rubber-power.com
Contact: darcy at inventorArtist.com | 613-563-3634 by appointment (no text)

On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 3:49 PM, Dave Hunt <dave at huntgang.com> wrote:

> I guess I should have read the entire thread... Darcy already said
> everything I did! ;)
>
> On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 11:26 AM, Darcy Whyte <darcy at inventorartist.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Yeah, that thing is really booked. I think it's an awesome initiative to
>> have a cutter at the library. Too bad it's limited to library hours.
>>
>> You have an excellent suggestion in my opinion.
>>
>> I suggested a happy hour numerous times to numerous library staff without
>> any success. I think the concept was a great success in the past when
>> artengine used to have it as part of modlab. I also suggested library-laser
>> orientation sessions could run during those times so it'd be a party much
>> like modlab.
>>
>> One thing to consider is a lot of what people use a laser for can be done
>> with a cnc router. Cutting, engraving etc.... They don't need an exhaust
>> and can actually cut more materials. Our shared CNC (cnc613) was cutting
>> aluminum 6061 yesterday. These machines are a bit more hands on than a
>> laser but on the other hand are affordable. The idea behind the cnc613
>> project is people can learn and try out and decide if they get one for
>> themselves (they're that affordable)...
>>
>> Not to poop lasers, I use them all the time...
>>
>> One the pay for cut, I think there are lots. I do a bit of that here and
>> there. I know there's another laser at maker space north. I'm sure there
>> are lots of sign companies and prototyping companies that have them.
>>
>> Oh, you make a great point with online services. I know lots of people
>> who use them very successfully. No booking, no trips, material procurement
>> is integrated... pretty hard to beat...
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Darcy Whyte
>>
>> Art+ inventorArtist.com <http://inventorartist.com/> | Aviation
>> rubber-power.com
>> Contact: darcy at inventorArtist.com | 613-563-3634 by appointment (no text)
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 10:33 AM, Jason Cobill <jason.cobill at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>    The Imagine Space laser cutter is booked nearly 3 months in advance
>>> sometimes - it's amazingly popular. I'm in there often and it's ALWAYS
>>> running.
>>>    I don't know how to make it more fair - maybe book a "happy hour"
>>> where people can scramble to get quick jobs done in off-peak times?
>>>    I think this speaks highly about the Epilog cutter - it's a great
>>> tool and it's easy to use (and robust enough to stand up to 24/7 nonstop
>>> cutting).
>>>
>>>    The uOttawa Maker Space had an Epilog delivered right before they
>>> closed for the summer - when they open again in a week or so I hope that
>>> takes some of the overflow from the other laser cutters in town. :)
>>>
>>>    I'm surprised that with all of this demand nobody's taken the bull by
>>> the horns and set up a for-pay cutting service in Ottawa.
>>>    Even at just a couple of bucks an hour, an entrepreneur could be
>>> swimming in wedding invitations, ukuleles, and wooden gear requests.
>>>    I guess you'd be competing with online services, but the turnaround
>>> time could be much faster than waiting for a shipment from China.
>>>
>>>    -Jason Cobill
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 9:46 AM, Andrew Szeto <andrew.szeto at outlook.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Also on another note, how crazy busy is the library these days? I try
>>>> and look for bookings and it just seems booked solid...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> From: andrew.szeto at outlook.com
>>>> To: steve at envirolaser.com; lab at artengine.ca
>>>> Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2015 13:44:00 +0000
>>>>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Lab] cheap laser cutters
>>>>
>>>> Wicked! Thanks a ton for all the feedback guys and sorry for the late
>>>> response (was out in bear country all weekend)! with projects on the go,
>>>> $12k is out of my budget these days unfortunately :( . Any timeframe on a
>>>> reply from epilog? Also willing to pitch on the fix when it's determined!
>>>>
>>>> Cheers!
>>>> A
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> From: steve at envirolaser.com
>>>> To: lab at artengine.ca
>>>> Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:30:15 -0400
>>>> Subject: Re: [Lab] cheap laser cutters
>>>>
>>>> As the Ottawa rep for Full Spectrum Laser & Epilog, I’d say that each
>>>> company has their pros and cons when it comes to their equipment.
>>>>
>>>> If you are looking for low cost and excellent cutting capabilities, the
>>>> Full Spectrum Laser Hobby and entry level Pro series products are an
>>>> excellent value.  If you are looking for the highest quality engraving
>>>> capabilities and “extras” as standard equipment, then the Epilog tends to
>>>> have an advantage.
>>>>
>>>> Of course, the exchange rate will cause an increase in price for both
>>>> manufacturers.  However, Full Spectrum Laser’s equipment is still
>>>> relatively inexpensive.  For instance, a H series 20” x 12” with all the
>>>> upgrades (90 watt, extra lens, extra warranty, etc) is still only around
>>>> $12,000 + HST.
>>>>
>>>> As to troubleshooting the Zing 24, I did a full cleaning and mechanical
>>>> check of the device earlier this summer.  I am still waiting for a reply
>>>> from Epilog, but it appears that the problem could be either with the
>>>> sensor board, a cable from the sensor board or the main control board.
>>>>
>>>> Stephen Burke
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *From:* Henri Kuschkowitz <henri.kuschkowitz at gmail.com>
>>>> *Sent:* Friday, August 28, 2015 11:55 AM
>>>> *To:* Darcy Whyte <darcy at inventorartist.com> ; Andrew Szeto
>>>> <andrew.szeto at outlook.com>
>>>> *Cc:* lab at artengine.ca
>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Lab] cheap laser cutters
>>>>
>>>> Ditto what Darcy said.
>>>>
>>>> I used the laser 2-3 weeks ago and the focus was fine. Just the whole
>>>> coordinated issue was still there.
>>>>
>>>> Do we have a reference for all the troubleshooting that has been done
>>>> up tot this point somewhere? Mind you, I am aware of the wiki page with the
>>>> temerity solution.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> Henri Kuschkowitz
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 7:58 AM -0700, "Darcy Whyte" <
>>>> darcy at inventorartist.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Don't disassemble... there are a lot of problems because of people
>>>> taking it apart...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Darcy Whyte
>>>>
>>>> Art+ inventorArtist.com <http://inventorartist.com/> | Aviation
>>>> rubber-power.com
>>>> Contact: darcy at inventorArtist.com | 613-563-3634 by appointment (no
>>>> text)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 10:55 AM, Andrew Szeto <
>>>> andrew.szeto at outlook.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I usually try and clean the optics as best as possible with the q-tips
>>>> and solution, but that may just be the tip of the issue i'm guessing.
>>>> should we be trying to take the lenses apart?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> From: darcy at inventorartist.com
>>>> Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:48:59 -0400
>>>> Subject: Re: [Lab] cheap laser cutters
>>>> To: andrew.szeto at outlook.com
>>>> CC: tom.i.burns at gmail.com; lab at artengine.ca
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Are the optics clean? Are the optics undamaged?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Darcy Whyte
>>>>
>>>> Art+ inventorArtist.com <http://inventorartist.com/> | Aviation
>>>> rubber-power.com
>>>> Contact: darcy at inventorArtist.com | 613-563-3634 by appointment (no
>>>> text)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 10:31 AM, Andrew Szeto <
>>>> andrew.szeto at outlook.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hey Guys!
>>>>
>>>> Soo maybe a bit late on this one, but anyone know why or have a fix for
>>>> the out of focus printing at m76? I was considering those full spectrum
>>>> hobby lasers, but they are pretty damn pricey with the exchange rates these
>>>> days...
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>> A
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> From: darcy at inventorartist.com
>>>> Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:16:24 -0400
>>>> To: tom.i.burns at gmail.com
>>>> CC: lab at artengine.ca
>>>> Subject: Re: [Lab] cheap laser cutters
>>>>
>>>> One thing to consider is the purpose of the purchase. Is it for a
>>>> specific project? Is it just for fun?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Darcy Whyte
>>>>
>>>> Art+ inventorArtist.com <http://inventorartist.com/> | Aviation
>>>> rubber-power.com
>>>> Contact: darcy at inventorArtist.com | 613-563-3634 by appointment (no
>>>> text)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 3:17 PM, Tom Burns <tom.i.burns at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> Does anyone have experience with these cheap chinese laser cutters?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-CO2-USB-Laser-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Engraver-Cutter-woodworking-Crafts-/121734293301
>>>>
>>>> Interested in your experience, what you cut, how did it go.  I had no
>>>> clue these were available under $500.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Tom
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Lab mailing list
>>>> 1. subscribe http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab
>>>> 2. then email Lab at artengine.ca to send your message to the list
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________ Lab mailing list 1.
>>>> subscribe http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab 2. then email
>>>> Lab at artengine.ca to send your message to the list
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________ Lab mailing list 1.
>>>> subscribe http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab 2. then email
>>>> Lab at artengine.ca to send your message to the list
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________ Lab mailing list 1.
>>>> subscribe http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab 2. then email
>>>> Lab at artengine.ca to send your message to the list
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Lab mailing list
>>>> 1. subscribe http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab
>>>> 2. then email Lab at artengine.ca to send your message to the list
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Lab mailing list
>>> 1. subscribe http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab
>>> 2. then email Lab at artengine.ca to send your message to the list
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Lab mailing list
>> 1. subscribe http://artengine.ca/mailman/listinfo/lab
>> 2. then email Lab at artengine.ca to send your message to the list
>>
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://artengine.ca/pipermail/lab/attachments/20150831/5af64b17/attachment.html>