[Lab] cheap laser cutters

Mon Aug 31 15:49:18 EDT 2015

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
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
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