Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Mar 20, 2003 04:14am | #1

   Dryada --

      On the Sawmill Creek board ( http://www.woodenthreads.org/), there is a forum specifically about laser woodworking.  

1. 
   Turbo | Mar 20, 2003 04:31am | #2

          Thanks!

2. 
   Len | Mar 20, 2003 05:02am | #3

   I used to run our laser cutter in our model shop for 10 years We have Scale Model Unit 24" x 48" bed, 75 watt laser. We also have a Universal laser 50 watt model. I love these machines. From a work stand point they are very efficient and have eliminated all the tedious cutting. We use the laser cutters so much that we have burned up two of the Scale Model units. (One literally.)

   On a personal standpoint. I'm lucky because I have been able to make jigs with it and do some intricate cutting that would have taken me forever on a scroll saw. I even etched glass with it for doors.

   On the other hand they are not for the novice. I am well versed in AutoCAD, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and a half a dozen other 3D and 2D programs. While you don't have to know all of these programs, it really helps to know a CAD program and a image processing program.

   The good units are at least 220VAC, some are 3 phase. You have to have a chiller to keep the laser cool and ventilation. Some materials are really smelly. Also PVC based materials should never be cut on laser cutter. It produces chlorine gas. It eats the stainless away. The optics need to be cleaned regularly and the laser tube needs to be replaced every now then. Depending on how many hours it has been used.

   As far as how much power they use. I don't really know since I never saw the bills. But I can tell you that we charge $90 an hour inside our company for just using it. Outside vendors charge between $110 to $200 an hour.

   Hope this helps.

   Len

1. 
   TheDryad | Mar 21, 2003 02:31am | #4

   Thank you so much for this great information. Also for the web link Jamie. I am going to read up on everything I can later on when I get a chance.  

   Len, do the cut pieces have burned edge's or do you have to spend alot of time preparing them for finish? Changing blades on my scroll saw and band saw gets expensive, how do these rate to something like a cnc cut finish?  

   Thanks again guys.

1. 
   Len | Mar 21, 2003 04:38am | #5

   Yes, they are burned. I have spent a large amount of time cleaning up edges. I have also just scrapped the loose flakes off and left the rest. I've attached a couple pics of my BBQ. The material is 1/4 inch oak plywood. I finished it with spar varnish since it's outdoors. In this case the black edges were a plus. I usually make templates and jigs with it, so the edges don't matter.

   We also have an overhead router. If edge finish is critical we use it.

   One thing I forgot to mention is, with the laser cutters we have we are not able to cut through dense materials cleanly. I have tried to cut 1/4 maple and oak but it burned so bad, the parts were unusable.

   Good luck on your quest.

   Len

   Edited 3/1/2004 1:22:04 AM ET by Len

   Edited 3/1/2004 1:22:16 AM ET by Len