Great video! When I saw the announcement for this laser I was immediately excited about it. I have very limited space and do this as a hobby so this looks just about perfect! In a future video, could you do some testing to see max thickness for cutting ply and solid woods as well as acrylic please? Thanks very much for another excellent video.
Great information thank you. Most of the videos about the Thunder Bolt at present seem to highlight its engraving abilities. Is this machine capable of cutting 1/4 inch MDF and ply easily and regularly? You cut the 1/4 ply at 90% so I assume that is almost maxing its power. What would the equivalent power be compared to your Nova 35/100. trying to decide which to purchase for both cutting and engraving even if the machine bed sizes are at complete opposites!
If you’re cutting 1/4” mdf or thicker materials the bolt is not for you. You will need a larger machine with a different air delivery system like a 35-100. And add external air. I don’t have the other lenses that thunder offer that are better suited for cutting. But it you do allot of cutting on thicker materials the nova series is better suited for that!
Since it has an Rf tube it’s engraving small objects excell compared to co2 glass. This will be my dedicated tumbler and leatherette, acrylic machine for small projects
I will receive my 80 watt JPT M7 Mopa laser this week. I decided to buy the fiber laser rather than buying the Bolt despite it is about $1,000 more. I already have the Thunder Nova 35 (100 watt) so I leaned more on getting a fiber than getting another CO2. Will engraving and cutting leatherette (to put on blank hats) on the fiber laser better than using the Thunder Bolt? You have the 60 watt fiber so I hope you can give a comparison between the fiber and the Thunder Bolt in terms of leatherette work.
when it comes to leatherette the bolt both engraves and cuts the leatherette great. the fiber engraves the leatherette great but you will struggle to cut it. before I got my bolt I would cut the leatherette out with the co2 build a jig and engrave on the fiber
Thanks for the video! I was wondering if you can share where you get your materials specially the metallic. I cant wait for your future videos on projects made with Thunder Bolt.
the bolt would not cut an 18” circle the working are is 12x20 so you would have to step up to the nova 35- 80 or 35-100for you to be able to do that. it’s a great machine as well I’ve owned it
Great job ! Just wanted to ask how is the noise level with this machine? Would like you to make a tumbler on this machine on a future video keep up the great work!
Thank you. I have another question ,if you don’t mind; Since you are a wood router as well,Can you use the same vector files in Lightburn that we make and use for our wood machines? Thanks again@@computercreationz
Thanks for the great video, was looking forward to seeing some completed projects. Do you see many limitations with tumblers and water bottles? Have you tried the Rotoboss bolt on it yet?
Thank you so much for the video Robert. Lots of great information. The leatherette you used, did it already have the adhesive or were those settings just on the plain leatherette without any adhesive on it?
I have the Thunder Nova 35 (100 watt). Compared to the Bolt, would using the Hi-resolution laser head lens ($400) with my Nova 35 provide the same resolution engraving as the Thunder Bolt? I have not bought the Hi-Resolution or the 4" laser head lens yet.
I don’t recommend the hi res head it’s not easy to use and the focus distance (the thickness of a quarter) means stuff builds up on it fast! buy an 1.5” lens for your 35 that will take your engraving to the next level. American photonics is a good place to get one!
No it will make the smaller than your stock 2” but not near as small as the Rf tube beam with the 1.5” lens. You have to remember that the Rf tube is 3 times smaller than the glass tube beam@@doctorpd1959
@@computercreationz Thank you. I guess at this point if I want to engrave with good resolution I have to use my 10 watt diode laser instead of my Nova 35 (especially for photos). Using my diode will be much slower though.
Great video! When I saw the announcement for this laser I was immediately excited about it. I have very limited space and do this as a hobby so this looks just about perfect! In a future video, could you do some testing to see max thickness for cutting ply and solid woods as well as acrylic please? Thanks very much for another excellent video.
I appreciate the suggestions and the comments. Thank you!
Thanks for the info can you tell me if this machine cuts clear acrylic?
Yes I’ve cut upmrom3/8” cleat cast acrylic on this laser. Unlike diode laser this laser will cut or engrave any color of acrylic!
Great information thank you. Most of the videos about the Thunder Bolt at present seem to highlight its engraving abilities. Is this machine capable of cutting 1/4 inch MDF and ply easily and regularly? You cut the 1/4 ply at 90% so I assume that is almost maxing its power. What would the equivalent power be compared to your Nova 35/100. trying to decide which to purchase for both cutting and engraving even if the machine bed sizes are at complete opposites!
If you’re cutting 1/4” mdf or thicker materials the bolt is not for you. You will need a larger machine with a different air delivery system like a 35-100. And add external air. I don’t have the other lenses that thunder offer that are better suited for cutting. But it you do allot of cutting on thicker materials the nova series is better suited for that!
What would make someone get this if they already have a Co2? Like I have the Thunder 51/100. What would be benefits of also having this? Just curious.
Since it has an Rf tube it’s engraving small objects excell compared to co2 glass. This will be my dedicated tumbler and leatherette, acrylic machine for small projects
I will receive my 80 watt JPT M7 Mopa laser this week. I decided to buy the fiber laser rather than buying the Bolt despite it is about $1,000 more. I already have the Thunder Nova 35 (100 watt) so I leaned more on getting a fiber than getting another CO2. Will engraving and cutting leatherette (to put on blank hats) on the fiber laser better than using the Thunder Bolt? You have the 60 watt fiber so I hope you can give a comparison between the fiber and the Thunder Bolt in terms of leatherette work.
when it comes to leatherette the bolt both engraves and cuts the leatherette great. the fiber engraves the leatherette great but you will struggle to cut it. before I got my bolt I would cut the leatherette out with the co2 build a jig and engrave on the fiber
Thanks for the video! I was wondering if you can share where you get your materials specially the metallic. I cant wait for your future videos on projects made with Thunder Bolt.
I get all my leatherette from JDS Industries!
Looking for a laser for my wife. She likes the Thunder brand. We both are new to lasers. Would this unit cut an 18” circle?
the bolt would not cut an 18” circle the working are is 12x20 so you would have to step up to the nova 35- 80 or 35-100for you to be able to do that. it’s a great machine as well I’ve owned it
Thanks for putting together a video. What's the wattage of the RF laser?
30 watt rf tube = to a 60 watt glass tube
@@computercreationz Is it strong enough to cut 4 to 5 mm acrylic sheets?
Oh yes all day long! @@doyounglee6990
@@computercreationz Thanks for the prompt reply. How much does it cost in the US? Based in Australia here...
5500 us@@doyounglee6990
Great video as always! What were the settings for the pencil? Do you plan on a video using the camera?
Absolutely!
This sounds like a great machine my wife and friend have been doing Christmas ornament on my wife's friends machine
this is a great entry laser for sure!
Great job ! Just wanted to ask how is the noise level with this machine? Would like you to make a tumbler on this machine on a future video keep up the great work!
It was 61 db when engraving very quiet
Nice work. Where did you buy the leathertte? Thanks.
Jds industries thank you
Can you adjust the frequency on the fly? This machine looks exciting. Looking forward to seeing you put it thru it’s paces.
No not that I am aware of, you can adjust from 1-25 in lightburn per layer
Thank you. I have another question ,if you don’t mind; Since you are a wood router as well,Can you use the same vector files in Lightburn that we make and use for our wood machines? Thanks again@@computercreationz
Thanks for the great video, was looking forward to seeing some completed projects. Do you see many limitations with tumblers and water bottles? Have you tried the Rotoboss bolt on it yet?
My rotary will be here soon for the bolt. Stay tuned
Does this mean the PiBurn won't fit?
Thank you so much for the video Robert. Lots of great information. The leatherette you used, did it already have the adhesive or were those settings just on the plain leatherette without any adhesive on it?
I engraved and cut some with and without hydbond. The stuff with hydbond just need a little bit more power.
Thank you for the helpful videos! They are very informative. Did the leatherette have adhesive?
Does this laser have a chiller?
No because it has an Rf tube (air cooled ) no chiller needed
I have the Thunder Nova 35 (100 watt). Compared to the Bolt, would using the Hi-resolution laser head lens ($400) with my Nova 35 provide the same resolution engraving as the Thunder Bolt? I have not bought the Hi-Resolution or the 4" laser head lens yet.
I don’t recommend the hi res head it’s not easy to use and the focus distance (the thickness of a quarter) means stuff builds up on it fast! buy an 1.5” lens for your 35 that will take your engraving to the next level. American photonics is a good place to get one!
@@computercreationz Thanks the suggestion. 👍So will using the 1.5" lens enable the same resolution quality as the Bolt?
No it will make the smaller than your stock 2” but not near as small as the Rf tube beam with the 1.5” lens. You have to remember that the Rf tube is 3 times smaller than the glass tube beam@@doctorpd1959
@@computercreationz Thank you. I guess at this point if I want to engrave with good resolution I have to use my 10 watt diode laser instead of my Nova 35 (especially for photos). Using my diode will be much slower though.
The 35 with a 1.5” lens will give you much better resolution than you diode. @@doctorpd1959
Does the small laser effect the kerf?
yes it’s much smaller beam so Kerf will be different with this laser
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the donation! I really appreciate it!
How is it on glass?
I don’t have the rotary yet to try it out it should be coming in the next couple of weeks. on clear acrylic it looks like a uv engraved it!
looks great
It’s going to be a keeper for sure!
can it cut glass?
Engrave yes but not cut, Rf laser are not known for great glass engravings
@@computercreationz Thank you for letting me know. sigh, my search continues.
Nice review. Like seeing the samples. 👍🏼
Thanks for watching!