Topic: Building a laser cutter

[Steve]

Yea it's a process. You can engrave them fairly easily, I did one of my old ones with a dremel and an engraving kit. The machine should be able to handle it, and the tenifer can't be compromised by either of these processes.

The Glock is a pretty amazing gun.

So do you think I'm on the right idea with a 12x12 moving bed/stationary gentry? My main thinking's are that the smaller unit with a stationary gentry will give it the most solid build and best chance of consistent tolerance. Also likely to be cheaper than a moving gentry.

[Steve]

So Rob, I'm thinking I will make it out of MDF. It has to be out of wood, metal really isn't an option with the tools I have available. I have worked with MDF building speaker boxes and it has always struck me as a very solid wood that does not easily warp.

[Rob]

The only downside to a moving table is that they take more space for the same table size.

There's a huge mix of opinions on MDF machines, but to me it seems ideal for a small machine, as long as it's sealed properly, and is a decent quality MDF.

[Steve]

Do you think a mobile gentry would be ok in this case? I'm concerned the metal I am engraving and cutting will offer enough fight to cause flex and make it inaccurate.

[Rob]

Sorry, I don't have the experience to answer that question. What I do know is that a correctly designed moving gantry is as accurate as a moving table.

[Steve]

Thinking about just ordering this and using my dremel with different engraving bits. I have the highest power dremel that dremel offers and I'm confident it can handle it. Not sure I can make a mount though. Little confused on what else to order.

http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Toolworks-CNC-Carving-Machine/dp/B002ARTLUG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1338442326&sr=1-1

[Steve]

I'm pretty 99% sure I am going to use this kit. Pricing is about right and it is the right size. If the dremel doesn't cut it I can just get a router.

http://wiki.zentoolworks.com/index.php?title=Assemble_Zen_Toolworks_CNC_Machine_DIY_Kit_7x7

[Steve]

here is the 7x12 being used with a dremel weaker than mine. Man......I think im buying it rob

http://www.amazon.com/review/R37OYBQCNC84A7/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B002ARTLUG&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=

[Rob]

Yeah, that looks a nice piece of kit. You know that you will need to buy the electronics as well, I assume? Dremel's aren't noted for their tight tolerance, but it should get you started. Lots of guys seem to use laminate trimmers.

Let me know how you get on.

[KnuckleBuckett]

Do you think a mobile gentry would be ok in this case? I'm concerned the metal I am engraving and cutting will offer enough fight to cause flex and make it inaccurate.

gentry

[Rob]

This is what I want.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlGu51uqNgQ

I could watch that for hours...

[Rob]

Do you think a mobile gentry would be ok in this case? I'm concerned the metal I am engraving and cutting will offer enough fight to cause flex and make it inaccurate.

gentry

Gantry?

[KnuckleBuckett]

Do you think a mobile gentry would be ok in this case? I'm concerned the metal I am engraving and cutting will offer enough fight to cause flex and make it inaccurate.

gentry

Gantry?

  

[Steve]

Yeah, that looks a nice piece of kit. You know that you will need to buy the electronics as well, I assume? Dremel's aren't noted for their tight tolerance, but it should get you started. Lots of guys seem to use laminate trimmers.

Let me know how you get on.

I emailed the company this morning and it turns out the owner has used the 7x7 with a dremel to do some work on his 1911. He said it worked well but with a better cutter in place of the dremel it really opened up the wings for the machine. So he said the 7x7 can absolutely handle what I want. They sell the other parts pretty reasonable so within I would say two weeks I'm going to drop the money and wait on the porch for UPS.

[Steve]

I just picked up a working Dell Desktop with XP for running the CNC. Got it for free, doing a fresh install now!

The hardest thing will be calibrating this I think. Like telling it exactly where to engrave what and to what scale.