Ferg

I have the 60W Omtech. It is actually 50W. Bought 2 years ago this month. I love the machine and have little to no trouble with it. Lasers have a steep learning curve if you desire to do great work with them. The air assist in the Omtech as well as some others is worthless. Get/use an oilless air compressor with a good quality dryer or separator. Water droplets will ruin the lens. Use about 20psi air for engraving, around 40psi for cutting wood. I used a five gallon bucket of water adding frozen water bottles for almost two years with no problems. Bought 5200 chiller this year and it works perfectly and I don't need to keep running to the freezer. Use and learn all you can about LightBurn software. Best there is. I believe Omtech packages LightBurn with the laser I am not sure of that. They do also sell it. The Omtech 60W is a perfect size for doing wood engraving and cutting plus engraves leather perfectly. Keep the laser clean and adjusted, you will likely never feel you wasted your money.

My wife got her diagnosis seven years ago. When she told me, I lost it. This lady is the love of my life. We have worked side by side in our various business ventures for almost forty seven years. The very thought of losing her was something I was not prepared for. Her undying faith and refusal to give up helped her healing I am sure. My mom, one brother, brother's wife, and only sister died of this dreadful disease. Unfortunately neither of them had early diagnosis. I have three younger brothers. Two have cancer one has stage five kidney disease. I have been blessed with relatively good health my entire almost ninety years. My wife and I offer our prayers for any and all of you experiencing the effects of this terrible disease.

If you are using a Diode laser the holes would be larger. My CO2 Omtech can cut/burn some mighty small holes. Smell on cut leather can be minimized by using "Ozium" spray. Don't breath the spray. When I use it I spray in the shop and leave for 10 or 15 minutes. Makes the shop smell good. lol

I have the following: This one Pricking iron. Never used, notice dip plastic coating. $50 plus shipping in USA

Sorry it took so long for my reply, shop computer decided it didn't want me in LW. I can either transfer lines that are just legible or a slight cut/engrave such as in the photo. The cut would almost eliminate the swivel knife use. Depending on depth cut on the lines. Ferg

This is a laser cut pattern for a wallet in wood. I will cut one in leather tomorrow. Presenting this to see if there is any interest in my persuing an inventory of patterns for leather tooling and/or a pattern you may have of your own. Patterns could be e-mailed with at least 72dpi, 144dpi is better. A number of particulars to be ironed out, I am not going to do that until I see if there is any interest. Ferg

I own the Consew 206RB-5. Great machine, have owned it about six or more years I think. Never have had a problem with it. Never needed manufacturer help. Uses popular needles and will sew forever. Ferg

I have a roll of stainless steel cloth.

I think of it as "augmenting" my normal leather work. Since arthritis and other health issues make my tooling leather a distant memory, "Tooling" with a laser is my "Happy" place. LOL Every time I engrave another piece of leather be it with my very own renditions or professionally designed, I am absolutely amazed that this old man of almost ninety years can still do something of what I love. Broke my left wrist 3 weeks ago. Doctors say if I don't use my arm/hand and mess up the break they will remove the cast next Friday and maybe they won't put another on me. My wife says quit picking your nose with your left hand.

This is 3D illusion. There is very little difference in the level of engrave. I would estimate depth at .10mm to slightly more if power was increased. This is not intended to be a substitute for carving and stamping. I have been doing leather work for over 70 years. I believe there is room for many different methods of decorating leather. Laser engraving is just one of them. I have tried line drawing on leather which is actually a pattern for carving. It makes for an extremely accurate pattern.

I have found that many folks who buy a diode or CO2 laser who have never used same or had any experience with them, have a tendency to want someone to tell them how to operate and achieve fantastic results. In over two years of using first a diode and now a CO2 laser I can tell you it takes time and untold amounts of trial and error to find out what you can accomplish. If you have little patience and perseverance to work things out by reading and studying everything available, you chose the wrong endeavor. Every laser has it's very own idiosyncrasies get used to it. Apply what you derive from info available and try. LightBurn gets lambasted by folks who think since it is highly rated it will be their miracle worker and provide everything they need to make those fantastic items they view with little to no input from themselves. I have used/tried many programs for lasering and found one thing about all of them, they are difficult to learn because they are involved in thousands of scenarios for one. My advice to anyone beginning their Laser journey, read everything and study it plus watch videos with many of those being bogus. Sit back when you are exasperated and think what you haven't done correctly or simply try another setting and burn a lot of scrap whether it be leather or wood. First image engraved on hickory second on leather.

Those of you that desire wanting a laser..... Begin with a Diode Laser. You can get a 3W to 5W for $200 to $300 some cheaper but they are unfortunately not worth your money. My laser is a 60W Omtech CO2. I paid $2700 for it two years ago, it is $3400 now. Ferg

I know, I had that pic set to a high resolution. I use Photoshop, was in a hurry and forgot I had the resolution high.

Sorry about that

Laser engraved Veg Tan leather. A take on a little different object. 60W CO2 Omtech laser Ferg Vadim Bee copy.pdf

Nice! I have done a few on Baltic Birch. Problem I have with it is the veneer is so thin the laser get's into the cross band while engraving subject. Ferg

Thank you, makes it worth doing all the prep work worthwhile. Ferg

I like to think of it as, changing gears. lol

We live in a two story Log Home my wife and I built thirty years ago plus my main computer and leather room is upstairs and my shop is on main floor to very rear end of our home. lol Helps whatever flexibility I have left. Hope you able to use those tools!!! Ferg

Before any of you give me a bad time about laser engraving in lieu of carving these two pieces of leather........ Hear me out. I have developed severe Arthritis in practically every joint in my body so handling most any kind of carving or otherwise tool is extremely difficult or impossible. With that said, I bought a 60W CO2 laser about two years ago and have laser engraved some really fantastic products of which I have sold a few and given away a lot. Hadn't done any leather until this last week. Used some semi-scrap I had to do these two pieces. Veg Tanned cowhide 3oz to 4oz. Forgive my expertise in photo work, I didn't bother to correct. There is no editing done on the photos. As said above they are 3D Illusions not true 3D. The laser sees the different values of light and dark in a black and white photo as set into program before engraving. As the beam travels across the substrate/leather it varies in power and develops the light and dark portions of image. Hope you enjoy.... Ferg

Nice work. I have several from various individuals.

The beam from your testing position M1 to M2 is way off. I don't even consider checking with M2 close to M1. Extend the M2 location all the way towards opposite to Tube side. If you get that centered then M2 to M3 with same idea, move M3 mirror all the way to the right side. You also need to check the beam from the nozzle to the working level of your lens. The adjustments on the mirrors are very sensitive, don't get carried away and only loosen the stop nuts very small amount each time. Ferg

There has to be something wrong in the method of attempting to contact OM-Tech. Have owned my CO2 60W over two years now, have never had a problem with help. You need to provide some more info. What software are you using? Did you follow setup info? I use LightBurn software best there is. I am confused with what you are providing for settings. Are you using G-Code? Arduino control? My settings for cutting are 10mm/sec speed with , 45%power. I can cut 1/4" MDF veneered material in one pass. My simplest setup for engraving is 150mm/sec speed with 25% power. Need a lot more info from you please. Ferg

If you haven't used and experienced Light Burn software you have missed the best product for laser engraving and cutting and it keeps getting better. Opinion from a dedicated user.

Dwight, You may try this. I use "Ozium" neutralizer on my laser cut wood products. Available in most hardware stores in a small spray can. Ferg