My first test of my new 60 watt laser.

My first test of my new 60 watt laser.

My son sells Kenworth trucks and he wanted to make something for his boss.
The wood is just standard pine. He wanted the "burned" look so no masking or sanding done, just a coat of clear coat. Getting used to the software and settings but not too many issues.

Another metal engraving product.

Another metal engraving product.
I have not tried it but it looks to be cheaper than the competition.

https://enduramark.com/
https://enduramark.com/

Quick and simple cable chain/organizer

Quick and simple cable chain/organizer

https://hackaday.com/2017/12/17/diy-cable-chain-looks-great-stays-cheap/#comments
https://hackaday.com/2017/12/17/diy-cable-chain-looks-great-stays-cheap/#comments

Post this in the believe it or not category! You can etch stainless steel using mustard!

Post this in the believe it or not category! You can etch stainless steel using mustard!
Plenty of youtube videos but here is a statement from a reputable source.

https://darklylabs.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115005973627-Marking-stainless-steel-with-lasers-and-mustard-Seriously-
https://darklylabs.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115005973627-Marking-stainless-steel-with-lasers-and-mustard-Seriously-

Tank You Very Much!

Tank You Very Much!

https://www.instructables.com/id/Carters-Lasercut-Tank-StuG-III-Ausf-F/
https://www.instructables.com/id/Carters-Lasercut-Tank-StuG-III-Ausf-F/

BUMMER!

BUMMER!
( I apologize to all my non USA friends for the following statement.)

I received a call today that my new 60 watt laser could be delivered tomorrow. I placed my order on Ebay Sunday night 3 days ago! I was excited and said of course you can deliver it tomorrow, my wife will be home to receive it. Well she then reminded me that she would not be home at all tomorrow since she was going out of town for the day. "How about Friday?" I asked the dispatcher. Sorry, we only deliver in your area Tuesday and Thursday. Verifying that my wife would indeed be home next Tuesday, I scheduled the delivery of my new laser.

I just had to vent a little and of course I feel guilty about all the people who have to deal with issues of customs, taxes ect when ordering anything not local.

I feel better, thanks!.

My name is Larry and I am a laser hoarder!

My name is Larry and I am a laser hoarder!

I just purchased a 60 watt laser to go with my two K40s and one 2.4W solid state laser (on my cnc X-Carve)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/252730728666
https://www.ebay.com/itm/252730728666

Need help for choosing vendor for a 60 watt laser in US

Need help for choosing vendor for a 60 watt laser in US

I have been given the go-ahead to purchase a 60 watt laser. Need to know if there's been any problems with specific vendors on Ebay or suggestions for the good ones. Thank you so much for your help.

Chess Anyone?

Chess Anyone?

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:855
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:855

A friend at work wanted some dragonfly refrigerator magnets for her Christmas bags she gives to friends. She did not want anything fancy so they are plain simple! About 3 x 2.5 inches each on birch ply sealed with a clear coat. Here are the results.

A friend at work wanted some dragonfly refrigerator magnets for her Christmas bags she gives to friends. She did not want anything fancy so they are plain simple! About 3 x 2.5 inches each on birch ply sealed with a clear coat. Here are the results.

Broken mirror adjustment screw replacement

Broken mirror adjustment screw replacement

My first mirror was loose on the mount so I removed it to tighten and clean it. While doing so I bent the brass adjustment screw. Needing one quickly, I went to the local hardware store and purchased some M3 .5 x 20 mm cap head screws. I 3D printed some caps and I am back in business. The new screws are hardened steel so they will not bend!

Looking for some good line art?

Looking for some good line art?

Google "coloring pages" and see what you have been missing!

Cutting Board Inspiration

Cutting Board Inspiration

I purchased a few cheap cutting boards at my local dollar store and was looking for some ideas. I came across this site. Enjoy!

http://www.nald.org/funny-cutting-boards/
http://www.nald.org/funny-cutting-boards/

Corel 2017 works with Corellaser

Corel 2017 works with Corellaser

I took Corel 2017 for a spin and can report that is works fine with Corellaser.

If you have a spare $400.00 that you do not know what to do with, it will not go to waste on your K40!

Suddenly the Corellaser/LaserDRW toolbar is staying available.

Suddenly the Corellaser/LaserDRW toolbar is staying available.

I am not sure what has changed, but I am using Win10 and the toolbar for going from Corel to the laser settings is staying available. There is still an icon on the bottom toolbar for accessing settings but the elusive toolbar is staying put!

#k40alignment

#k40alignment

You can never have too many tutorials on how to align the laser. Here is another take and explanation!

http://atklaser.co.uk/2017/10/06/laser-beam-alignment/


http://atklaser.co.uk/2017/10/06/laser-beam-alignment/

When translations go wrong!

When translations go wrong!

I got bored and wanted to see what online translation can do with a picture.
Below is a picture from the Winseal/Corellaser manual.

After an online translation OCR extracted the text, here is what Google translate made of it!

The amount of carved hayu u canopy) i my words fish) window hit] help (cover)

Carved sea u other map open [, jade). The The

Set the base of the guide fork cow [T:]. The car is not the same as the one hand.
Install the other carvings and fishermen. The

CoreIDRAW car owed in the cattle in the elution of the river? Zheng and the C0reILASER i Tan Wen-guang _.

Looking for ideas? Need a pattern? Using Google or Bing?

Looking for ideas? Need a pattern? Using Google or Bing?
Here is a better idea. Continue reading at your own risk!

Long story short, went looking for a laser project for a friend. Kept getting links to Pinterest. Decided that I would give it a try after avoiding it for years. Guess what? They have more of what you are looking for than any search engine! I do warn you, be very careful! You will spend hours and not know it. Do not say I have not warned you! Now go to Pinterest and type in laser cut projects and get burning! (you do have to step away from the computer and go to the laser sometime) Oh yea, don't forget to eat and shower sometime.

Here is an example of a site I found from Pinterest. It has some great Christmas SVG files

http://thecraftchop.bravesites.com/entries/2015/12

What makes a plywood good for laser cutting?

What makes a plywood good for laser cutting?

http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/blog/?p=6042
http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/blog/?p=6042

Need another vector art program?

Need another vector art program?

http://www.artcam.com/free/#design
http://www.artcam.com/free/#design

Getting Started for Christmas!

Getting Started for Christmas!

I have had these ornaments around for awhile and been wanting to try them out on the laser. My wife added the color touches. They are glass.

Personalized pencils.

Personalized pencils.

I have a project at work and to get everyone involved, I am making personalized pencils. Here are the test ones. They turned out decent so I am going to present them to management for approval. These are cheap dollar store pencils BTW.

Great source for clip art.

Great source for clip art.

http://clipart-library.com/

Looking for some inspiration?

Looking for some inspiration?

https://antlerhome.com/
https://antlerhome.com/

Wonder if this could be made on the laser?!

Wonder if this could be made on the laser?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q

Ray of Cohesion3D is on Hackaday again!

Ray of Cohesion3D is on Hackaday again!

Read the article and join the discussion!

https://hackaday.com/2017/09/24/laser-smoothies-at-maker-faire/#comment-4072223


https://hackaday.com/2017/09/24/laser-smoothies-at-maker-faire/#comment-4072223

Dremel announces a 40 watt laser.

Dremel announces a 40 watt laser.

https://www.dremel.com/en_US/digilab-laser-cutter
https://www.dremel.com/en_US/digilab-laser-cutter

New use for old computer power strip

New use for old computer power strip

I found this gem for $5.00. I am able to turn on all my peripherals separately.
(water pump, air assist, smoke evac, ect)

Multi-layer acrylic animation

Multi-layer acrylic animation

No further info on the build

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vVH_Ewue9E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vVH_Ewue9E

DIY 4 foot x 5 foot 80 watt laser

DIY 4 foot x 5 foot 80 watt laser

https://discuss.inventables.com/t/4-x-5-80w-laser-on-x-carve-frame/40307
https://discuss.inventables.com/t/4-x-5-80w-laser-on-x-carve-frame/40307

Edge Lit RGB Acrylic Laser Cut Pendant

Edge Lit RGB Acrylic Laser Cut Pendant

http://www.instructables.com/id/Edge-Lit-RGB-Acrylic-Laser-Cut-Pendant/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Edge-Lit-RGB-Acrylic-Laser-Cut-Pendant/

A refrigerator magnet for my granddaughter

A refrigerator magnet for my granddaughter

#K40whisperer

#K40whisperer

Installing usb drivers

I was getting an error when trying to install the filter driver through Zadig. The way to get around this issue is to download libusb-win32 from https://sourceforge.net/projects/libusb-win32/ and use the filter driver installation included with files.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/libusb-win32/

K40 Will Not Cut Mystery Easily Solved!

K40 Will Not Cut Mystery Easily Solved!

So I went to cut a few items on my machine which has been recently overhauled and low and be hold it will not cut! A shadow burn also appeared out of no where. I have not been doing a lot of work on the machine so this is very mystifying. I removed the head and cleaned the lenses. Not much on the q-tip but some. Re-installed the head and aligned it again and volià, it cuts!

Not sure if the cleaning or head re-alignment did the trick but sometime is is the simple things that get you going again.

5 great common sense tips for laser engraving/cutting

5 great common sense tips for laser engraving/cutting

I was surprised that this is shared from a company that does laser work.

http://www.jumbieindustries.com/blog/5-tips-for-laser-cutting-acrylic-lucite-perspex-plexiglas-etc
http://www.jumbieindustries.com/blog/5-tips-for-laser-cutting-acrylic-lucite-perspex-plexiglas-etc

A "laser" engraver on a budget!

A "laser" engraver on a budget!

http://www.instructables.com/id/CNC-Etching-With-the-Sun/
http://www.instructables.com/id/CNC-Etching-With-the-Sun/

M2nano manual translated (minus pictures)

M2nano manual translated (minus pictures)

I have just finished building a new desktop computer due to the old one failing. One of the first things I tried was to convert the original M2nano manual into English. The information is quite eye opening. It has all the configuration settings for the different nano boards. This lets you know what your motor and belt are. Also gives a little insight into how the board works.
Here is the translation and original. Enjoy!

Translated;
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9qXcw3VRDg0Q3Iyb0Y4NU1KTVE

Original;
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9qXcw3VRDg0Z2FLV1ozTG13TG8

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9qXcw3VRDg0Z2FLV1ozTG13TG8

Box Maker Plus!

Box Maker Plus!

"A small python library for generating SVG drawings used for
cutting out boxes or other structures using a laser cutter.

It also comes with a set of ready-to-use, fully parametrized generators:

* Various simple boxes
* Flex boxes with rounded corners and living hinges
* Type trays with and without walls and floors
* Book cover with flex spine
* Magazine file

And a few one trick ponies:

* An Arcade Cabinet
* A drill stand
* A castle tower
* A housing for a special kind of lamp
* A cutlery stand

It also offers an API to easily draw your own parts."

https://hackaday.io/project/10649-boxespy
https://hackaday.io/project/10649-boxespy

Timing Pulley Generator Tool

Timing Pulley Generator Tool

Here is another great tool for generating SVG files of toothed pulleys.

The link goes to the main information page and the Pulley Generator link is at the top of the page.

http://gritlab.org/timing-pulley-generator/
http://gritlab.org/timing-pulley-generator/

Android and Arduino headless controller

Android and Arduino headless controller

I am not connected to this individual nor do I endorse his product. I am just sharing information.

On another forum I found this interesting GRBL controller using an Android device.

Unfortunately you have to have a bluetooth enabled Arduino and custom GRBL firmware. (there is a laser version)

Here is his website. It is in Russian but Chrome translates it just fine;

https://sites.google.com/view/arrsoft/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BC%D1%8B/android-cnc

I have not tried it yet but watching the video, it looks like you have real time adjustment of parameters.

The upside is that it is not expensive and if you download this weekend, the program is free
You can get app for free from Jun 24, 2017 00:00 GMT to Jun 25, 2017 23:59 GMT.
https://sites.google.com/view/arrsoft/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BC%D1%8B/android-cnc

For the Arduino/Ramps crowd

For the Arduino/Ramps crowd
Grbl Firmware and Settings Manager

Download and demo can be found here;

https://discuss.inventables.com/t/grbl-firmware-and-settings-manager/35677
https://discuss.inventables.com/t/grbl-firmware-and-settings-manager/35677

A third laser alignment guide

A third laser alignment guide

Another post by Nathan Thomas referenced this site so I was checking it out and found this gem.
It is written simply and actually explains what to do if the dots move.
https://k40laser.se/lens-mirrors/k40-mirror-alignment-and-leveling/
https://k40laser.se/lens-mirrors/k40-mirror-alignment-and-leveling/

Paul de Groot made Hackaday!

Paul de Groot made Hackaday!
http://hackaday.com/2017/06/10/drop-in-controller-for-ebay-k40-laser-engraver-gets-results/
http://hackaday.com/2017/06/10/drop-in-controller-for-ebay-k40-laser-engraver-gets-results/

I cannot wait until there is a $300 version of this desktop water jet cutter!

I cannot wait until there is a $300 version of this desktop water jet cutter!
https://www.wazer.com/pages/home/#buy-wazer
https://www.wazer.com/pages/home/#buy-wazer

For all the electronic tinkers out there.

For all the electronic tinkers out there.

This is for all the tinkers out there that also enjoy electronics. I found this gem on ebay for $2.00 each with free delivery!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arduino-Shields-pin-compatible-50-MHz-ARM-controller/142343588082?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D41376%26meid%3Dc1bd7e6a7c75419c8d019bb374d67dc5%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D142343588082

When it came, it is actually from the manufacture and all the support can be found here;
http://www.coridiumcorp.com/prod-specs4.html
The site says that they are selling them for $19.95

Anyway, just received them and starting to play with it. Great if you like this stuff!
http://www.coridiumcorp.com/prod-specs4.html

Adjustable Bed

Adjustable Bed

A BIG thank you to Kelly S for the design of the bed and Andy Shilling for being lazy! (he found the drawings in his computer trash!)

I printed up the parts and mounted them to the old clamp plate that comes with the K40. This makes it rock solid and easily removeable. The only issue seems to be that not all ball chains are created equal. There can be a little slip on the gear heads. I find the chain slips when using the manual adjuster. If I pull on the chain, it works like a champ.

Bottom line, it is a great adjustable bed for the price of parts. I think I have less than $10.00 USD in it.

PS If you look to the left of the bed, those are parts for making an adjustable laser mount. Pics to come!

For the Musician

For the Musician
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1919312
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1919312

Looks like a great project!

Looks like a great project!
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2222031
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2222031

Saw this and had to share!

Saw this and had to share!
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2228964
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2228964

When wood and acrylic is just not fun to cut anymore!

When wood and acrylic is just not fun to cut anymore!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr1YRP6rWdc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr1YRP6rWdc

How about a very simple starter project?

How about a very simple starter project?

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2000546
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2000546

Wood Inlay

Wood Inlay

I have a good friend who does woodworking. He supplies custom tables and other custom wood products to the local restaurants. We were talking and I told him I could do inlay with the laser. He was making a cutting board for a customer and asked if I could do the inlay. The inlay is about 3/16" birch and the base is maple. The finished product was sanded and oiled. The restaurant's name if SHIFT.

Inexpensive Arduino Uno R3 clone that works!

Inexpensive Arduino Uno R3 clone that works!

If you have worked with Arduinos, there is an issue with the USB to serial chip used in most clones. The company that makes the genuine chips, FTDI, put some code in their drivers that would make them useless unless you used older drivers. So buying clones can be a crapshoot, although it is getting better now that other chips are available and the clone makers are not using the counterfeit chip as often. For the record, the Arduino is an open source product and anyone can manufacture them under the proper licensing.
I purchased a few boards from Amazon and they are reasonable and work as advertised. They actually come packaged in a box. The price is under $11.00 US.
I have loaded GRBL 1.1f and have run it on the bench without issues. Looks like a great fit for the K40.
https://www.amazon.com/Elegoo-ATmega328P-ATMEGA16U2-Compatible-Arduino/dp/B01EWOE0UU/ref=pd_sim_147_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01EWOE0UU&pd_rd_r=ZEYPRNG789E58BXQZHF3&pd_rd_w=RJtQj&pd_rd_wg=GF9yK&psc=1&refRID=ZEYPRNG789E58BXQZHF3
https://www.amazon.com/Elegoo-ATmega328P-ATMEGA16U2-Compatible-Arduino/dp/B01EWOE0UU/ref=pd_sim_147_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01EWOE0UU&pd_rd_r=ZEYPRNG789E58BXQZHF3&pd_rd_w=RJtQj&pd_rd_wg=GF9yK&psc=1&refRID=ZEYPRNG789E58BXQZHF3

Another laser alignment guide!

Another laser alignment guide!

Well an electronics blog had another bland link to the K40 laser world. I checked out the blog and did not find any new info on the K40 but did discover a great link to a laser alignment guide that has a lot of pictures and explanations on how to optimize the mirrors. This is a great compliment to the floatingwombat link.

http://justaddsharks.co.uk/support/laser-beam-alignment-guide
http://justaddsharks.co.uk/support/laser-beam-alignment-guide

Laser Cut Birdhouse

Laser Cut Birdhouse

Great beginner project

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:916051
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:916051

One hand book holder

One hand book holder
https://www.zenziwerken.de/en/Haushaltsgegenstaende/Einhand-Buchhalter
https://www.zenziwerken.de/en/Haushaltsgegenstaende/Einhand-Buchhalter

Cool and Unique Laser Cut Lamp

Cool and Unique Laser Cut Lamp

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Heng-Lamp/
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Heng-Lamp/

PC Stick Computer for laser control

PC Stick Computer for laser control

Asus VivoStick PC TS10

The reason for this particular model was the price ($86.00 delivered from Amazon) and because it comes from a reliable PC manufacturer, it comes with a legitimate version of Windows. Windows licensing seems to be a problem on the Chinese clones.

Bottom line is that it works like a champ. It can be used with or without a monitor to be a headless unit which would be nice for the MAC users. Most of the complaints are due to issues with speed and lag. The unit I received had an older version on Win10 installed and needed quite a few updates to be up to date. It would have been quite useless while updating. Now it is snappy and very useful. In fact I am writing this on the unit now!

Downsides? Glad you asked! Stock internal SSD has only 32 Gig and after update and cleanup, leaves about 14 Gig available. You can always attach an external drive for more storage or use cloud storage. Need a monitor that has an HDMI input or video adapter to use standard VGA.

https://www.asus.com/us/Stick-PCs/VivoStick-PC-TS10/

A great unbiased review here
http://www.computershopper.com/g00/desktops/reviews/asus-vivostick-pc-ts10?i10c.referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computershopper.com%2Fdesktops%2Freviews%2Fasus-vivostick-pc-ts10
https://www.asus.com/us/Stick-PCs/VivoStick-PC-TS10/

Acrylic "nixie tubes"!

Acrylic "nixie tubes"!

A great article on one design and it has the files so you can make them yourself.
http://hackaday.com/2017/01/14/smoothly-modernized-nixie-display/#comments
Files found here; https://github.com/connornishijima/Lixie-hardware
http://hackaday.com/2017/01/14/smoothly-modernized-nixie-display/#comments

Mirror Etch

Mirror Etch

Test of the system using a mirror. It is a mirror tile that is usually used to put on a wall.

Mirror Holder Idea

Mirror Holder Idea

After putting my K40 back together and adjusting the mirrors again, I had an idea for a simple mirror holder. It is not new but can be expensive to purchase. It is to make a gimbal mount to hold the mirror. This way the center of the mirror never moves and you get a more accurate convergence. Below is a link to one on Thingiverse that I think can be modified easily.
Watcha think?

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:320853
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:320853

LaserGRBL

LaserGRBL

I found this software but have not installed or tried it as of now.

https://github.com/arkypita/LaserGRBL

LaserGRBL

Laser optimized GUI for GRBL

LaserGRBL is a Windows GUI for GRBL. Unlike other GUI LaserGRBL it is specifically developed for use with laser cutter and engraver. LaserGRBL is compatible with Grbl v0.9 and Grbl v1.1

Download

All downloads available at https://github.com/arkypita/LaserGRBL/releases

Existing Features

GCode file loading with engraving/cutting job preview (with alpha blending for grayscale engraving)
Image import (jpg, bmp...) and line by line GCode generation (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal).
Grbl Configuration Import/Export
Configuration, Alarm and Error codes decoding for Grbl v1.1 (with description tooltip)
Homing button, Feed Hold button, Resume button and Grbl Reset button
Job time preview and realtime projection
Jogging (for any Grbl version)
Feed overrides (for Grbl > v1.1) with easy-to-use interface