Laser Engraver and cutter ...

[WilleeCue]

Anyone else here have and use a Laser engraver / cutter?
Just picked a used one from a sign shop here in Corpus Christi Texas.
Didnt know beans about how to operate one or what exactly it can do.
Been watching You Tube videos and picking up information about them.

Learned how to align the mirrors and find the focal spot.
This one is a China made 50W unit and the beam will cut a line as small as .01" at its focal point.
Its like using a CNC mill with a .01" dia. cutter.

Found it can cut Acrylic very well and have been cutting 14mm acrylic tip pads and some
mirrored acrylic sheet to use as inlays in cues.

Is there a danger to my eyes if I watch it thru the clear plexiglass top panel?
I did order some safety glasses that block the laser light.

 

[GBCues]

Anyone else here have and use a Laser engraver / cutter?
Just picked a used one from a sign shop here in Corpus Christi Texas.
Didnt know beans about how to operate one or what exactly it can do.
Been watching You Tube videos and picking up information about them.

Learned how to align the mirrors and find the focal spot.
This one is a China made 50W unit and the beam will cut a line as small as .01" at its focal point.
Its like using a CNC mill with a .01" dia. cutter.

Found it can cut Acrylic very well and have been cutting 14mm acrylic tip pads and some
mirrored acrylic sheet to use as inlays in cues.

Is there a danger to my eyes if I watch it thru the clear plexiglass top panel?
I did order some safety glasses that block the laser light.

Will
Yes without the correct protective glasses your eyes are at risk.

 

[kling&allen]

Is your laser fixed focal length or variable? Do you have air assist? 50W is good power. I suggest setting up a webcam to watch your machine in progress (and put the machine + webcam in a cardboard box). At that power even reflections can cause eye damage.

 

[WilleeCue]

Is your laser fixed focal length or variable? Do you have air assist? 50W is good power. I suggest setting up a webcam to watch your machine in progress (and put the machine + webcam in a cardboard box). At that power even reflections can cause eye damage.

I think I ed somewhere on you tube that this tube was more like 40W at best.
So far I have only ran it at 20% or about 10 watts.

The Focal Length is determined by the lens you place in it.
So far I have used the 3" FL lens but do have a 4" one I can install.

There is a plastic window on the top that you can watch the machine in action with the lid closed.

 

[kling&allen]

I think I ed somewhere on you tube that this tube was more like 40W at best.
So far I have only ran it at 20% or about 10 watts.

The Focal Length is determined by the lens you place in it.
So far I have used the 3" FL lens but do have a 4" one I can install.

There is a plastic window on the top that you can watch the machine in action with the lid closed.

View attachment 613175

Awesome setup, good find.