40W Chinese Laser - Engrave and Cut Leather - Discuss

[Rockoboy]

On ‎21‎/‎07‎/‎2017 at 11:50 AM, Rockoboy said:

I watched a friend using his laser on some leather  recently. I think his machine is 100 watt max, 500mm X 600mm bed.

His laser is actually an 80watt machine. The 100watt beast was an extra $1000, on top of the $3400 he was quoted for the machine he bought! Then there was another $800+ for the professional chiller unit, plus ducting to vent any fumes ...

It does a great job within its scope of capabilities.

 

[OLDNSLOW]

I stumbled on a guy, he has utube videos up of using a laser cutter, stitch dex holsters, and he did a complete build showing the use of laser cutter.  The unit he showed is bigger then the 40 watt but not sure how big, but it did a nice job of cutting the leather pattern and doing some engraving work on the laser.

[Billy Hell]

Links?

 

[Mattsbagger]

I think this is the one Oldnslow was talking about.

[OLDNSLOW]

yes, thanks for adding the link I am not good at doing that.

[LatigoAmigo]

Any updates to this adventure in laser cutting and engraving? I've been on the edge of my seat waiting to see something happen!

Edited October 24, 2017 by LatigoAmigo

[OLDNSLOW]

I bought what is known as a k40 laser cutter, it is one of the basic lasers that come out of china.  I had done some preliminary research on the machine prior to buying the machine and then understood based on everything I read that there was going to need upgrades to have it function like it should.  A lot of the machines leave China with less than the advertised ability in terms of the laser tube having less power, or bad wiring, and or a host of other problems like cheap mirrors, cheap lens and so on.  In addition for the most part they come with proprietary software and dongles to run the machine.  So after some or all of the needed upgrades you will be in to the machine for over a grand to get it to do what you want.  There will be people that would probably disagree with my assessment and others that will agree, if you go to google and search for K40 laser owners group you will find like here that there are owners from all over the world that have these, and some of those people have written other software to run the machine but it is a crap shoot if they will work, I tried one and it became a nigh mare.  There are also people that sell boards and software that will not have a need for the dongle and proprietary software, again one of the expenses to upgrade.

there is a machine that was announced sometime in the last year or so that people had the opportunity to be on the ground floor and pay for the development of the machine, sorry but I don't recall the name for it, but the features that it has to offer put the K40 and like machine to shame, it will have the ability to scan a hand drawn image convert to the language that drives the machine and the cut it or engrave it on the substrate of your choice.  I understand that Dremel is going to be coming out that some think will eat the above machines lunch!  I would recommend you do the research and decide based on your budget and your knowledge to work with the likes of Corel Draw, Ink scape or the like to create the items you wish to create, now also keep this is mind, there will be no doubt someone to come along and say I am full of crap and their machine worked right out of the box.

Do your do diligence and home work before you buy caveat emptor!   

I hope that you were able to be out of harms way in the fires and all of your family and friends are safe. 

Edited October 25, 2017 by OLDNSLOW
added info

[LatigoAmigo]

Thanks for the lesson. 

[JD62]

Thank you @OLDNSLOW, Ive been on the fence and now I can go to another site for some info

[OLDNSLOW]

your welcome I hope what I had to offer was of some use or help in making a right decision.