Tools - Newbie

[Soren Christensen]

Hi guys,

New to the forum and I have been going through most of it to get some hints and tips, which has been more than helpful.

However. Just starting out with a laser system(which i set to arrive in a few weeks) I kinda wanna be ready, for when it comes.

So I would love to hear, what set of tools you would suggest me to make sure i have at hand.

When I say tools, I dont mean for assembly.
For every day use, when doing woodwork, working with akryl, for marking on metal and such things.


Thanx in advance.

[Bruce Volden]

I'll chime in.

Dial calipers, various rare earth magnets, 10X loupe, disposable foam brushes, painters tape, DNA, Q tips, plastic and regular razor blades.......
You'll be adding other things as you go along. All is dependent on what you are going to be "majoring" in.

Bruce

[John Lifer]

Get some Paper mask. Wider than painter's tape. I use for masking some wood, (eliminates stain from burnt wood vapor deposits)
I've got 4" and 8" widths. I use a medium tack, I've needed high tack occasionally. (high is about same as your painter's tape)
Way easier to use if you need to cover wide area and probably 10% the cost of painter's tape. (maybe less)
I use a guy on ebay, JRS. Been the cheapest I've found.
Absolutely calipers, Nothing expensive, I use a Mitutoyo that were about $25, Grizzly has a some I got that were only $16.95, HF, no, too inconsistent.
Pack or two of cheap microfiber cloths., Magnets, and more magnets. (hold downs.) nothing high, nozzle could hit.

I made up about 3 or 4 6" acrylic and romark (two color plastic) rulers. Make yourself. Good practice and way useful. I grab them a LOT.
Roll of paper towels for use with the DNA to clean stuff. (buy gallon of DNA from big box, cheap and you will use it)

[Soren Christensen]

I'll chime in.

Dial calipers, various rare earth magnets, 10X loupe, disposable foam brushes, painters tape, DNA, Q tips, plastic and regular razor blades.......
You'll be adding other things as you go along. All is dependent on what you are going to be "majoring" in.

Bruce

Those rare earth magnets, are you perhaps able to point me in the right direction?

Get some Paper mask. Wider than painter's tape. I use for masking some wood, (eliminates stain from burnt wood vapor deposits)
I've got 4" and 8" widths. I use a medium tack, I've needed high tack occasionally. (high is about same as your painter's tape)
Way easier to use if you need to cover wide area and probably 10% the cost of painter's tape. (maybe less)
I use a guy on ebay, JRS. Been the cheapest I've found.
Absolutely calipers, Nothing expensive, I use a Mitutoyo that were about $25, Grizzly has a some I got that were only $16.95, HF, no, too inconsistent.
Pack or two of cheap microfiber cloths., Magnets, and more magnets. (hold downs.) nothing high, nozzle could hit.

I made up about 3 or 4 6" acrylic and romark (two color plastic) rulers. Make yourself. Good practice and way useful. I grab them a LOT.
Roll of paper towels for use with the DNA to clean stuff. (buy gallon of DNA from big box, cheap and you will use it)

I have been searching high and low for big rolls of masking tape, but havent been able to find the wide ones, only the small and flimse ones.
The rulers are a nice touch. Homemade and something to practice with

Again with the magnets. Love it. But not sure which to buy. :/

[Chris DeGerolamo]

What machine did you purchase?

[Soren Christensen]

What machine did you purchase?

Since im starting out in this area, i wanted something that i didnt have to do modding to, so i went with the Glowforge Pro.

I know that I could have gotten a few chinese ones for the same price, but again. I dont want to be modding. Only need to switch out the vent system and turn off the internal fan, to get it a bit more quiet and get better venting

[Gary Hair]

I would highly suggest getting a few jigsaw puzzles and maybe some word-cross books, or learn that 2nd language you always wanted to learn, to keep you busy while the machine is running. Glowforge are well known for being slower than anything on earth and you might as well put your waiting time to good use.

Since im starting out in this area, i wanted something that i didnt have to do modding to, so i went with the Glowforge Pro.

I know that I could have gotten a few chinese ones for the same price, but again. I dont want to be modding. Only need to switch out the vent system and turn off the internal fan, to get it a bit more quiet and get better venting

[Bill George]

You also need to have a good working fire extinguisher, a Lazy Boy chair, side table for drinks and snacks. Window AC to keep the room temp below 75 DegF. Time to read the Search results on this Forum from the past 4 years about the Glow Forge.

[Bert Kemp]

80 watts will have a hard time with 1/2" wood You should look at 130 to 150 watts for half inch wood.

[Soren Christensen]

80 watts will have a hard time with 1/2" wood You should look at 130 to 150 watts for half inch wood.

1/2" isnt required Its just something I dream about being able to, some day.

For now, Ive noticed that people are pleased with their 80w machine. So Im gonna stick with 80w.
Just need to figure out what else to get in it.

I see most people have the honeycomb table, so might as well get that. Havent seen anything regarding lenses, so for starters just go with the 1.5" for fine engravings. And have been told, that I can always add the rotary piece later on, once the need is there for it.

[Chris Thomason]

An 80w speedy is a very good choice.

I would recommend a 2 inch lense instead. I don’t think there is a noticeable difference in engraving quality but there is a noticeable difference in cutting depth. just my 2 cents. Other accessories can come later

[Soren Christensen]

An 80w speedy is a very good choice.

I would recommend a 2 inch lense instead. I don’t think there is a noticeable difference in engraving quality but there is a noticeable difference in cutting depth. just my 2 cents. Other accessories can come later

Thanx for the recommendation I was actually considering getting the standard 1.5 and then a second one. So that might just be the 2.0

Im thinking about starting to get to know the various systems, before getting the laser. So which design system is mostly used? Is that CorelDraw or any other type? Since I might already have my first customer

[Gary Hair]

A 1.5" lens will be overkill for the materials you mentioned and will only cause you more problems due to the lens being closer to the engraving surface and getting dirty faster, requiring more cleaning and more likelihood of damage. Go with a 2" and you'll get all the detail you will ever need. If you are cutting then you could even go with a 3" for your "spare" lens.

Thanx for the recommendation I was actually considering getting the standard 1.5 and then a second one. So that might just be the 2.0

Im thinking about starting to get to know the various systems, before getting the laser. So which design system is mostly used? Is that CorelDraw or any other type? Since I might already have my first customer

[Rob Damon]

#1 Fire extinguisher (for when a fire happens)
#2 Notebook and pencil (to record what settings work and don't work)
#3 Internet connection (Software updates/research recommended settings from manufacturer)
#4 Time (to spend on youtube learning how other users of your specfic laser got it to work with specific material)
#5 Scrap material (you will burn through alot of material until you get the right setting for your machine)
#6 Cleaning wipes (to clear lense and mirrors)
#7 Just normal measurement tools.

[Soren Christensen]

#1 Fire extinguisher (for when a fire happens)
#2 Notebook and pencil (to record what settings work and don't work)
#3 Internet connection (Software updates/research recommended settings from manufacturer)
#4 Time (to spend on youtube learning how other users of your specfic laser got it to work with specific material)
#5 Scrap material (you will burn through alot of material until you get the right setting for your machine)
#6 Cleaning wipes (to clear lense and mirrors)
#7 Just normal measurement tools.

Thank you,
This is what I need