Cheers buddy. I'm going to have to spend some time learning the software side of things but I'm already looking forward to sneaking it into some projects
nice job there. LightBurn can be a bear to get used to and the travels atc are a pain to practise. We use it for engraving student projects in the tech dept. Also with belt driven 3d printers, CNCs and lasers slower often yields a better result but you need to balance productivity with quality of course. Have found in LightBurn doing two passes at lower intensity is often better than one at a higher power for what it's worth. Great stuff.
Really useful information mate. I've just done a burn with higher power but speed isn't really a need for me. More than happy to do 2 passes if the quality is higher. Having never had or seeing a laser engraver, I must say, it blows my mind the level of detail you can get. It makes sense now how all these people can sell custom products with such detail at such a good price. A skilled craftsman makes use of simple tools, but a man with a laser makes profit. Pretty sure that's a proverb!
Very good! Have a look online for speed/power setting combos for different materials / thicknesses etc. Its one of those things that has been done quite extensively, and there will be data out there. If not your final settings, often its a very close first attempt (especially when cutting!). Also would encourage forking out for a couple of sheets of perspex (need the sort that will shield the laser, not just any old perspex), and making an enclosure for the machine. Fair enough its not something just to fire and forget for a few hours, but if you get an enclosure you can set up longer engraving sessions while you get on with other projects. Also, in terms of organisation, create a dedicated place for those glasses close to the laser - make it hard to forget to put them on. Can even put it in front of the laser so you cant use the laser without putting them on. (Acknowledge this doesnt necessarily stop one leaving the glasses on ones head ;) )
Just had a look and found a useful looking chart. Will hopefully save me a lot of 'test runs' (me running back and forth from the garage after making alterations!). You're right about the place for the glasses too. So far, I've been perching them on the interface so I can't use it without putting them on. With space being an issue, I'm thinking about having a fold down/up table with the laser attached and places for all the bits and bobs that go with it. It's not the sort of thing I want to be moving around and risking knocking. Cheers for the feedback mate, appreciate it as always.
Nice, a complete new topic! Please take into account to extract the smoke too! Sure not necessary for your small engravings, but if you play around more times and the room is small or even if younuse it to cut wood you should think about a smoke extraction and fresh air too 🤧
Cheers buddy. You are so right. the smoke was evident straight off the bat so I had the door and garage door open. Dust/air extraction is something that's been on my list for a while. If I go for bigger burns, this is certainly something that will have to be higher on the list!
Great review mate. I really wanted one. Now I really really want one. How complicated is the 3rd party software? My computer skills are even worse than my woodworking, could I still get by?
There's 2 main options. Laser GBRL is supposed to be very straightforward, but I know you can do more advanced things with Lightburn. So I thought I'd invest the time into learning that. Fortunately, there's hundreds of videos to follow so it's just a case of being patient I think!
You might find that cutting isnt very easy with the diode. Ive got a 20w diode and I dont even bother trying to cut anything. Ive seen people do it but they talk about 5 passes at high power and low speed. I just went and got a k40 (c02 laser) and that cuts great. Much smaller work area but does what i need. On the rare occasion i need to engrave something bigger i have the diode. Software side, lightburn is your friend (for a diode at least) and once you learn how to optimise burns to cut down on long traverses between shapes its great. Preview function is brilliant for working that stuff out. For my c02 i never converted it to use lightburn so just use inkscape for design and k40 whisperer (both are free). Definitely find inkscape easier and more powerful but each tool has its place!
Cheers for the info buddy. I get the impression that cutting with it will be reserved for thinner materials and I expect several passes. I'm getting more used to Lightburn. I've watched some videos about the 3D images and it looks like the potential is endless. I'll check out those other bits of software though as I know they all have their place. Appreciate you taking the time mate.
Not gonna lie...I REALLY WANT One of these. I was just perusing the Longer website and while it is lower power, I'd be modestly content with the 5 watt. Sure it's slower but...ITS A FRICKIN LASER 😁
I'd love to give you the answer but my email just came out of the blue! If it's only engraving you want, I'm sure the 5W will do it. I've got a lot of learning to do with LightBurn but the wife is already lining projects up for her friends!
Nice work buddy looks good not a rabbit hole I ever wanted to go down but you seem happy with it and it’s interesting to see what you do with it. Why didn’t you just cut the plug off and wire a new one on? You should check out a mate of mine Jim Overton he does loads of this kind of thing. His channel is jimsons stuff. 👍🏻 Another positive is that at 9.12 in your video my cataracts disappeared 😂
🤣🤣 Eye care is a service we provide! Not going to lie... after ordering the adaptor, I sat down and had tea and thought... why the hell didn't I just cut the cord! I'll put it down to the excitement that I had a stupid moment! I'll check out that channel. I have a tonne of ideas already but I really need to learn the ins and outs of it all.
Now then, "Mini Mr Bigglesworth," i don't know your real name, but i will be calling you by the Austin Power's villainous mini me because you look like identical twins!😅😂 the super cute little brush/paintbrush that you referred to in your video is for brushing off the soot that builds up on the lazer itself, the best way to keep your new awesome deadly weapon in good working order is to simply brush the soot off from around the lazer each day that you're putting it to use, you don't need to be doing that each time you use it though just when you finished zapping your enemies will do 🤪😂😆😳
Why do I have this image of everything in your home with an engraving? If you have pets, don't. Just don't. I'm looking forward to what mad projects you have on your list.
Dude this isnt meant offensively but like me your an idot but one that has the dream of having a laser. Am noy jelous atoll😮. Like u my downside is laptop i have one but not up to date i do believe there are ones u cam run off your phone which a think is sommit il lean towards when a can unless u can talk nicely to them to send me one then we could pass knowledge to each other! A see business opportunity!🤔 Ps u do kinda look like him from austin powers anyone ever told u that??🫢 👍🏴
I wasn't offended by the idiot comment but I'm not sure how I feel about being Dr Evil 🤣🤣🤣 I know there are apps for android and apple that can convert images to gcode which is what the laser uses. I've not looked into them though
Watching this again for obvious reasons although software 🤯🤯🤯 and 90 quid now 😮 I've ordered honeycomb mat and glasses. Hopefully setting up today 😬😬
Another great video with a very good and comprehensive review. I look forward to seeing you put it through its paces...
Cheers buddy. I'm going to have to spend some time learning the software side of things but I'm already looking forward to sneaking it into some projects
nice job there. LightBurn can be a bear to get used to and the travels atc are a pain to practise. We use it for engraving student projects in the tech dept. Also with belt driven 3d printers, CNCs and lasers slower often yields a better result but you need to balance productivity with quality of course. Have found in LightBurn doing two passes at lower intensity is often better than one at a higher power for what it's worth. Great stuff.
Really useful information mate. I've just done a burn with higher power but speed isn't really a need for me. More than happy to do 2 passes if the quality is higher.
Having never had or seeing a laser engraver, I must say, it blows my mind the level of detail you can get. It makes sense now how all these people can sell custom products with such detail at such a good price. A skilled craftsman makes use of simple tools, but a man with a laser makes profit. Pretty sure that's a proverb!
Great review :-) Looking forward to seeing what you do with it, definitely thinking of getting myself one!
I've got a few ideas lined up. I'll keep you guys updated in the videos how I'm getting along with it
After your review... I'm definitely getting one. Wonder if it'll work with an iPad? Excellent review. Manufacturers should be proud!
Cheers buddy, appreciate that. It does have WiFi capabilities that I didn't mention so I don't see why you couldn't transfer the files via WiFi 🤔 😐
Very good!
Have a look online for speed/power setting combos for different materials / thicknesses etc. Its one of those things that has been done quite extensively, and there will be data out there. If not your final settings, often its a very close first attempt (especially when cutting!).
Also would encourage forking out for a couple of sheets of perspex (need the sort that will shield the laser, not just any old perspex), and making an enclosure for the machine. Fair enough its not something just to fire and forget for a few hours, but if you get an enclosure you can set up longer engraving sessions while you get on with other projects. Also, in terms of organisation, create a dedicated place for those glasses close to the laser - make it hard to forget to put them on. Can even put it in front of the laser so you cant use the laser without putting them on. (Acknowledge this doesnt necessarily stop one leaving the glasses on ones head ;) )
Also, amazing thumbnail 😂 - I only really focused on it when I returned from watching the video!
Just had a look and found a useful looking chart. Will hopefully save me a lot of 'test runs' (me running back and forth from the garage after making alterations!).
You're right about the place for the glasses too. So far, I've been perching them on the interface so I can't use it without putting them on. With space being an issue, I'm thinking about having a fold down/up table with the laser attached and places for all the bits and bobs that go with it. It's not the sort of thing I want to be moving around and risking knocking. Cheers for the feedback mate, appreciate it as always.
🤣🤣 I had too much fun setting that laser beam up on my head!
Nice, a complete new topic!
Please take into account to extract the smoke too!
Sure not necessary for your small engravings, but if you play around more times and the room is small or even if younuse it to cut wood you should think about a smoke extraction and fresh air too 🤧
Cheers buddy. You are so right. the smoke was evident straight off the bat so I had the door and garage door open. Dust/air extraction is something that's been on my list for a while. If I go for bigger burns, this is certainly something that will have to be higher on the list!
Awesome review. Thanks dude🤙
Cheers buddy
Great review mate. I really wanted one. Now I really really want one.
How complicated is the 3rd party software? My computer skills are even worse than my woodworking, could I still get by?
There's 2 main options. Laser GBRL is supposed to be very straightforward, but I know you can do more advanced things with Lightburn. So I thought I'd invest the time into learning that. Fortunately, there's hundreds of videos to follow so it's just a case of being patient I think!
You might find that cutting isnt very easy with the diode. Ive got a 20w diode and I dont even bother trying to cut anything. Ive seen people do it but they talk about 5 passes at high power and low speed. I just went and got a k40 (c02 laser) and that cuts great. Much smaller work area but does what i need. On the rare occasion i need to engrave something bigger i have the diode.
Software side, lightburn is your friend (for a diode at least) and once you learn how to optimise burns to cut down on long traverses between shapes its great. Preview function is brilliant for working that stuff out.
For my c02 i never converted it to use lightburn so just use inkscape for design and k40 whisperer (both are free). Definitely find inkscape easier and more powerful but each tool has its place!
Cheers for the info buddy. I get the impression that cutting with it will be reserved for thinner materials and I expect several passes.
I'm getting more used to Lightburn. I've watched some videos about the 3D images and it looks like the potential is endless. I'll check out those other bits of software though as I know they all have their place.
Appreciate you taking the time mate.
I may have to buy one of these, although what am I going to do with it.
It's amazing how many projects you can think of once you have one! I never really thought I needed any of my tools until I got them! 🤣🤣
Loved the Dr Evil reference, and no, you aren't the only idiot, indeed I have adopted it in my channel's name! 😂
🤣 There's plenty of us out there... we really shouldn't be let loose with power tools and lasers!
@@justbswoodworking 😂🤣😂🤣 That is actually a very good point!
Frickin Lazors!!!
Not gonna lie...I REALLY WANT One of these. I was just perusing the Longer website and while it is lower power, I'd be modestly content with the 5 watt. Sure it's slower but...ITS A FRICKIN LASER 😁
The next question is, how do I get them to notice me so I can do a review lol
I'd love to give you the answer but my email just came out of the blue! If it's only engraving you want, I'm sure the 5W will do it. I've got a lot of learning to do with LightBurn but the wife is already lining projects up for her friends!
Ha! I got it :D
Dagnabbit.... I just realized that means that I´m old....
Hmm that looked like the same kind of plug we use in Sweden.
I only felt old when I realised the films were released 25 years ago! 😅
@@justbswoodworking Hahaha I actually thought they were older than that :D
Seriously, someone needs to see this and just send you a table saw...
Oh, a man can dream!
Nice work buddy looks good not a rabbit hole I ever wanted to go down but you seem happy with it and it’s interesting to see what you do with it. Why didn’t you just cut the plug off and wire a new one on?
You should check out a mate of mine Jim Overton he does loads of this kind of thing. His channel is jimsons stuff. 👍🏻
Another positive is that at 9.12 in your video my cataracts disappeared 😂
🤣🤣 Eye care is a service we provide!
Not going to lie... after ordering the adaptor, I sat down and had tea and thought... why the hell didn't I just cut the cord! I'll put it down to the excitement that I had a stupid moment! I'll check out that channel. I have a tonne of ideas already but I really need to learn the ins and outs of it all.
Now then, "Mini Mr Bigglesworth," i don't know your real name, but i will be calling you by the Austin Power's villainous mini me because you look like identical twins!😅😂 the super cute little brush/paintbrush that you referred to in your video is for brushing off the soot that builds up on the lazer itself, the best way to keep your new awesome deadly weapon in good working order is to simply brush the soot off from around the lazer each day that you're putting it to use, you don't need to be doing that each time you use it though just when you finished zapping your enemies will do 🤪😂😆😳
Can't tell you how much this comment made me smile! Right, so the cute brush is for daily cleaning of the sharks... got it!
@justbswoodworking, yep, you got it🫣. But keep it secret 🤫.
I didn't want one of these, until now
haha that was exactly what I thought when I first saw it!
Why do I have this image of everything in your home with an engraving? If you have pets, don't. Just don't. I'm looking forward to what mad projects you have on your list.
haha funnily enough, it's my wife that more obsessed. She literally wants to engrave all the things (not the dog though!!!)
Nope. Austin powers 😂
Yes!!!
Too young to get the reference? 🤣
If only.
Dude this isnt meant offensively but like me your an idot but one that has the dream of having a laser. Am noy jelous atoll😮. Like u my downside is laptop i have one but not up to date i do believe there are ones u cam run off your phone which a think is sommit il lean towards when a can unless u can talk nicely to them to send me one then we could pass knowledge to each other! A see business opportunity!🤔 Ps u do kinda look like him from austin powers anyone ever told u that??🫢 👍🏴
I wasn't offended by the idiot comment but I'm not sure how I feel about being Dr Evil 🤣🤣🤣 I know there are apps for android and apple that can convert images to gcode which is what the laser uses. I've not looked into them though
@@justbswoodworking interesting very interesting 🤔🤔 looks sweet though. Have fun with it. A no a certianly would.