Food for thought... thanks for this. I have added a second and third machine to my shop very recently, so this gives me something to think about 12 months from now as I prepare for Christmas 2025. Here's to a successful second half of 2024! Oh and you're quite right - lasers are great add-ons to shops. That's the role mine play as well.
I started off with diode lasers, still have a couple and at the time the most powerful one I could find was 22W. Fast forward 3 years and companies are releasing 50W, 60W, and even 70W diode machines. My only concerns are most are open air systems like this, meaning you or anyone near by has to wear eye protection when it is running. And my biggest concern is longevity. The diode lasers I used in the past seemed to burn out fairly quickly. Would be interested to see what a long tear review would look like. Full disclosure I now use a 60W CO2 and love it for the most part. Wish I could have gotten a larger bed size but didn't have the room for it.
The bed size was the big point for me. Just opens up for a lot of new types of projects. I’ve seen a lot of your CNC stuff, what types of things do you do on your laser?
@SothpawDesigns I guess the main thing I use my co2 for is cutting thr detail parts for the clocks you seen me make. Make quick work out if 1/8" plywood and acrylic. Other than that I use it to engrave phrases, names and logos on items
@SothpawDesigns Good one. I contemplated adding a laser to my Longmill CNC machine, but I ultimately got a separate laser machine (and a second and then an Xtool F1) - I can run them all at once if need be.
I think it makes no sense to still continue producing and selling these powerful and dangerous lasers as open frame machines, without an enclosure and without a smoke extraction system. It makes no sense that people need to buy or build an enclosure separately. A diode laser is dangerous for your eyes even at 1W power, now we are talking about 70W, it's something weird that the factories are continuing thinking mainly about selling bigger and bigger machines, more and more powerful machines, and they are caring so little about safety These machines should directly be produced and sold as an enclosed box, that's for the safety of the environment in terms of smoke expulsion and in terms of not getting blind if someone else may be moving near the working room without any protections and/or if you yourself forget to wear goggles. One is supposed to spend 2000 bucks, and for what? For spending additional thounsands bucks in order to build a safe setup? No, thanks, CO2 laser machines are still way better, more affordable and more versatile, and even the price difference, considering what you actually end up spending in total for having an equivalent setup for a diode laser, is not that significant.
"I don't know why you would be picking it up while it's running. . . " Because people are stupid and love to do stupid things. That's why. Trust me, I work at Walmart. I see stupid on a level that most folks can't even fathom. 😂
Food for thought... thanks for this. I have added a second and third machine to my shop very recently, so this gives me something to think about 12 months from now as I prepare for Christmas 2025. Here's to a successful second half of 2024! Oh and you're quite right - lasers are great add-ons to shops. That's the role mine play as well.
I started off with diode lasers, still have a couple and at the time the most powerful one I could find was 22W. Fast forward 3 years and companies are releasing 50W, 60W, and even 70W diode machines. My only concerns are most are open air systems like this, meaning you or anyone near by has to wear eye protection when it is running. And my biggest concern is longevity. The diode lasers I used in the past seemed to burn out fairly quickly. Would be interested to see what a long tear review would look like. Full disclosure I now use a 60W CO2 and love it for the most part. Wish I could have gotten a larger bed size but didn't have the room for it.
The bed size was the big point for me. Just opens up for a lot of new types of projects. I’ve seen a lot of your CNC stuff, what types of things do you do on your laser?
@SothpawDesigns I guess the main thing I use my co2 for is cutting thr detail parts for the clocks you seen me make. Make quick work out if 1/8" plywood and acrylic. Other than that I use it to engrave phrases, names and logos on items
As a woodworker I use the laser to cut some templates and some engraving as well. I’m fine if that’s all I ever use it for.
Same here. It's a great utility tool to have.
@@SothpawDesignsDo you have a coupon or affiliate code for them?
This looks like a solid laser. I've been looking to add one for a while and I'll definitely have to keep this one in mind.
Nice video. Setting up my 70 max now.
Have fun!
Something you might do/try is cutting out templates. It is something I would like to try myself.😀
Great idea!
How would you like to try a laser on your onefinty elite machine ? I would like to know how well a laser works on a CNC machine.
Nah. I’d rather have the separate machines and not have to switch back and forth
@SothpawDesigns Good one. I contemplated adding a laser to my Longmill CNC machine, but I ultimately got a separate laser machine (and a second and then an Xtool F1) - I can run them all at once if need be.
I think it makes no sense to still continue producing and selling these powerful and dangerous lasers as open frame machines, without an enclosure and without a smoke extraction system.
It makes no sense that people need to buy or build an enclosure separately.
A diode laser is dangerous for your eyes even at 1W power, now we are talking about 70W, it's something weird that the factories are continuing thinking mainly about selling bigger and bigger machines, more and more powerful machines, and they are caring so little about safety
These machines should directly be produced and sold as an enclosed box, that's for the safety of the environment in terms of smoke expulsion and in terms of not getting blind if someone else may be moving near the working room without any protections and/or if you yourself forget to wear goggles.
One is supposed to spend 2000 bucks, and for what? For spending additional thounsands bucks in order to build a safe setup? No, thanks, CO2 laser machines are still way better, more affordable and more versatile, and even the price difference, considering what you actually end up spending in total for having an equivalent setup for a diode laser, is not that significant.
Good evening
Morning
"I don't know why you would be picking it up while it's running. . . " Because people are stupid and love to do stupid things. That's why. Trust me, I work at Walmart. I see stupid on a level that most folks can't even fathom. 😂
That's nice they sent u a big one... But if thunder or x tool p2 omtech reached out to you come on brother u take it then that's ur last one... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤑🤑
Nah, I don't use a laser enough to keep doing reviews. I wanna get back to woodworking.But this fills a need in my shop.