Laser engraving / cutting of leather

[jrdunn]

On 5/10/2022 at 12:49 AM, Garyak said:

I bought a Brother scan and cut SDX 230 to mess around with and got to thinking about digitizing the lifetime of Tandy’s patterns that were passed down to me and that led to cutting leather on it. Heavier than it says, and heavier than you should sometimes, but why not. It will cut 6 Oz bag side leather all day. I’ve never used the a laser, but I know it runs on the same Kinda Software. My brother I’m limited to 24 inches wide, but I can run endless length cuts, engraving, filigree, embossing, just about everything more than I knew it could do. I got 3 grand in it, but that was for cutting vinyl stickers, I forgot about stickers. I accidentally discovered the best thing I didn’t know I needed. Had to learn from the floor up. Absolutely not one second of any computer skills beyond an Atari 5200 video game. Once I got it, I got it. I imagine a laser could do finer work and probably last longer. I’ve made this thing make some weird sounds shoving veg tan in it. 

@Garyak, I'm interested.  Any tips on what to get (or don't bother with) regarding the Brother?

Jim

[Garyak]

4 hours ago, jrdunn said:

@Garyak, I'm interested.  Any tips on what to get (or don't bother with) regarding the Brother?

Jim

Unless you want Disney stuff, don’t get the Disney edition. I don’t care about Disney, so I spent hundreds extra to get stuff I’ll never use. Make sure you get one that operates the roll feeder, just buy the kits to unlock what you need. I told the salesman how much I wanted to spend, big mistake. I went in blind with no reference. He sold me everything and extra everything, just cause I had a budget. Outta 3500$ to spend, I owe 600$. Got some nice heat presses. All of them…. Anyway, I’m sure you can handle it, but the brother isn’t push and play. I’ve heard others are kinda simple compared to the brother. Find another owner to swap ideas with. I wish I did. Must have! Scanning Mats! Low tack-standard tack, long and short. Cutting mats the same. You’ll like it. 

Edited May 11, 2022 by Garyak

[Bert03241]

15 hours ago, PastorBob said:

what didn't you like about it?  When was the last time you used one?  They have made upgrades.  Not saying I would buy one either, they are pricey...I just have the luxury of borrowing one.

1. Its way over Priced, you can get a much better machine for less money.

2. Its cloud based you need internet to use it. WHAT!!!! who ever thought of this had a screw loose.

3. They tell you you have to use their preferred materials which are way over priced and totally BS. you an use regular materials just like real laser use.

4. Their slow

5. They lie to you about their power ratings. They say their pro version which coswt close to 7K is 45 watts which is not true. its closer to 30 watts nominal out put

6. Their cooling system sucks, they tend to over heat and stop so you have to wait for them to cool down.

7. Their made of plastic and if theirs a fire( and lasers do catch fire) they burn your house down. Most real lasers have metal cases which have a better chance of containing the fire.

8. There's no Z axis

I could go on but you get the idea

[Ferg]

I have an Omtech 60W CO2 laser. 500mm x 700mm usage area. I haven't done leather but most everything else.

My machine cost $2700 delivered inside my shop. It was set up perfectly. I leveled it on my shop floor, installed exhaust system, turned it on and 

have never looked back. Have never had to adjust the mirrors or anything else for that matter. I am making jigsaw puzzles now.

You need a lot of research time spent on everything and none of it on a leather forum. Access Lightburn Forum and find everything you need to know

and then some. Learning curve? You bet your "sweet bippy". Anything worth doing requires work and lots of trials and error. Every material you try with a laser will require

some resetting of speed and power. What you see as a result will blow your mind when you do your first good rendering of "Laser Engraving" on wood.

[Gulrok]

150 W Laser here. 

I laser cut belts at this point in my business.

Some others have good experiences. I've been able to dial in the 'char' to the point that there is no soot leftover when I pull a belt off the laser bed. You're able to wipe your hard along the edge and have a clean hand afterwords.

I replaced the mirrors with higher quality mirrors. The laser head was replaced as well. 

[RockyAussie]

6 hours ago, Gulrok said:

150 W Laser here. 

I laser cut belts at this point in my business.

Some others have good experiences. I've been able to dial in the 'char' to the point that there is no soot leftover when I pull a belt off the laser bed. You're able to wipe your hard along the edge and have a clean hand afterwords.

I replaced the mirrors with higher quality mirrors. The laser head was replaced as well. 

That for sure would be a dream to see. What thickness and type of leather may I ask? Do you top seal the leather first?

[Ferg]

I am convinced that most any absorbent material such as wood or leather would/does laser better and relieve the operator of 

way too may hours of cleaning when the product is sealed and has a finish coat on it. My jigsaw puzzles prove that to me.

My lasers, I have a 3W Diode laser also, provides some fantastic product. The possibilities are only diminished by your imagination.

Ferg

[Gulrok]

14 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

That for sure would be a dream to see. What thickness and type of leather may I ask? Do you top seal the leather first?

I'll get a video for you. I have belts to cut out.

At the moment I'm cross hatch patterning some leather for a wallet... because why not?

[Gulrok]

15 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

That for sure would be a dream to see. What thickness and type of leather may I ask? Do you top seal the leather first?

 

Hey Rocky. Its 12/14 oz English Bridle from RJF leather. No top seal.

Edited May 25, 2022 by Gulrok

[Gulrok]

2 hours ago, Ferg said:

I am convinced that most any absorbent material such as wood or leather would/does laser better and relieve the operator of 

way too may hours of cleaning when the product is sealed and has a finish coat on it. My jigsaw puzzles prove that to me.

My lasers, I have a 3W Diode laser also, provides some fantastic product. The possibilities are only diminished by your imagination.

Ferg

 I would have to disagree. See the video I just posted. 

I have personally found that inexperienced laser operators tend to have struggles when dealing with materials. I run test cards when I get new leather (a 6"x6") on the leather. I then pick the best settings from my test card. Depends on what thickness I cut - but I usually use my 4" lens on any belt leather. I have my laser dialed in to be able to cut 3/4" plywood without problems.

I cut 1/2" plywood boxes all the time. You can wipe your hand along the edges without soot. 

Yes the edges have char - but it goes away with burnishing and my normal edge dying process.