Laser cutter

[BaronVonVaderham]

Hey guys, I spotted an interesting offer for a 40w co2 laser on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/cetAnzF
I suspect it’s one of the usual suspects for budget co2 laser cutters, and I’m curious what modifications I have to make to run this effectively.

[Jocman]

My usual 50 cents......

Yes, it's the classic budget one. I got one about 5 years ago, made some test (my goal was to use it in conjuction with my cnc to build my panels), then just left it waiting for when my cockpit will be done and functional.

Why? because need it more time to get the Tool (with capitol T) I want. It's a nice tool, indeed, but very basic....I played with it for several months, upgrading and changing almost all.... have a look of what I changed

1) first of all, switched from a digital power management to an analog one. Why? first 'cause the original digital one is not so calibrated, then 'cause this way you get more control on the laser power (and is not a secondary matter....)

2) the gantry is very poor....Well, it works, of course, but the movements are not so smooth and precise: if you use a laser (meaning, you want a precision job), but move it on a mule track instead of a race, smooth track? Again, the area is not so broad, limiting your job dimension. Thus, I disassembled the old gantry, moved the electronics on an external box, and started design the new, extended, gantry. Of course, using some better rails than the original (very cheap) ones. And even a self adjusting Z axis work table. But, works still ongoing (until my cockpit will be finished)

3) changed all the wires (expecially the ones for the high voltages managing the laser side), 'cause the original ones are really, really a crazyness! (if you think my original K40 had no ground connection....)

4) the electronic: changed the original controller board (very limited) switching to a digital one (a ruida one - no way, another planet!)

5) Increased the safety: emergency stop, laser separated key switch, safety lid switch, flux meter (if for some reason the cooling fluid stop working you'll burn everything),  inlet / outlet temp sensor, bigger fume extraction pump (useless to say the fumes are not so friendly), air assist (very useful for the fume / burning prevention), and other similar stuff.

6) some other minor stuff

In the end, from the original K40, I kept only the laser tube and the box....Not really cleaver; and most of all, not cheap.... but if someone (like me) loves tinkering with stuff, it could be a good "toy".

So, going back in time, maybe I won't get a K40. In my plans, after all the replacements, maybe (maybe) I'll get really a good and versatile tool.

If you are not so "tinkering-lover" (and don't want to pay more) I'd suggest to have a look to the new (almost new) fiber lasers: honestly, I didn't get into these new stuffs, but they seem to me functional and the price (at least for the basic line) is comparable with the one you report.

Hope this may be helpful.

Cheers

[lesthegrngo]

For me, the big 'mod' I had to do was change the laser tube after the original one started splitting the beam very soon after getting it so was essentially cutting in two places. I replaced it with a CloudRay one off amazon, that was five years ago and not had to touch it since. At the time I remember thinking whether it was going to constantly give problems, but it hasn't. It may not represent the best out there, but for the price I really don't have any complaints. Oh, I did have to change the power supply as well last year, again a Cloudray replacement was a drop in and was pretty cheap

However with a bit of care you can improve on it quite easily - Jocman has indicated a number of things that can be done, but the biggest one for me would be to make sure that all the screws are tight, and check the squareness of the gantry. Quality control isn't the best but for the sake of a few hours work you can improve the stock item. 

I used mine to make my rig and have cut and engraved literally thousands of parts and frankly it has paid for itself a dozen times over. I certainly would not put anyone off getting one

Les