Cnc router laser combo

scott kozub

scott kozub

Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Messages
861
someone posted here a little while ago that they use nail polish and a cheap laser engraver and an electro etcher to make their logos. I use the uv stencils but love this idea for the accuracy and detail. I just came across this cnc router laser combo unit. This seems pretty cool as it may work for etching logos ( process above) and doing some custom wood routing. I'm thinking about the possibilities for sayas or textured handles. Maybe even having handle scales shaped and cut out in micarta or g10. Heck even corby bolt counter sunk holes may be possible.

Does anyone have any experience with these? I'm not expecting quality and as a hobbyist its more for fun and offering new options.

Screenshot_20201213-052854_Amazon Shopping.jpg
 
You're talking about this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085NQV3F6/

That's slick and sounds like a lot of fun. I'm not sure what you can do with a 5.5 watt (or 7 watt) laser, but it might burn enough to work. I really like the idea of the Offline Control Board allowing moving the CNC outside for routing our G10 scales. That will create LOTS of dust. I'm sure it will use gcode which has a pretty decent learning curve.
 
If you get it would love to hear updates how it goes
 
I use this hobby as an excuse to fund new tools. After posting I found this video on YouTube. It actually looks to work pretty well.

 
Yeah just wonder how it would work on micarta/g10... And for stabilized wood I would say it's a no go, but softer woods should work fine.
 
I have a Bob's CNC that I use mostly for wood. I do not have a laser. It is powered by a Dewalt 611 router. It has zero issues with any wood I have thrown at it. I don't think that stabilized wood would be an issue whatsoever. I have cut micarta and it cuts just fine.
 
Nick Curtis said:
I have a Bob's CNC that I use mostly for wood. I do not have a laser. It is powered by a Dewalt 611 router. It has zero issues with any wood I have thrown at it. I don't think that stabilized wood would be an issue whatsoever. I have cut micarta and it cuts just fine.
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Well that's pretty cool, the reason I said that is that I tried to cut some stabilized wood the other day with a new carbide tipped table saw and it did NOT work, dulled the new blade almost immediately. Good to know your experience! What size motor does yours have?
 
razor-edge-knives said:
Well that's pretty cool, the reason I said that is that I tried to cut some stabilized wood the other day with a new carbide tipped table saw and it did NOT work, dulled the new blade almost immediately. Good to know your experience! What size motor does yours have?
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Where you buy that carbide tipped saw ? In one dollar store :) That kind of saw should cut straight line from Macedonia right to USA before it get dull :thumbsup:
 
Natlek said:
Where you buy that carbide tipped saw ? In one dollar store :) That kind of saw should cut straight line from Macedonia right to USA before it get dull :thumbsup:
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Got this one... Yeah was weird. I think I'll return!
 
I've seen videos of it carving aluminum and a pretty detailed carving in mahogany. Just slow feed rates.

Reviews are similar to the k40 lasers. ok base but many upgrades available and recommended. A lot of guys seem to be installing 300 or 500w motors.

I just got a whack of new orders. I may take that money and and invest in one of these with the main goal being etching with nail polish. If the CNC works out it will be a bonus as I like the idea of doing up some standard handle shapes. I'll have to learn fusion 360 and I expect this to be very slow. I guess that's an advantage of being a hobbyist and not having to make money from it.
 
scott kozub said:
I've seen videos of it carving aluminum and a pretty detailed carving in mahogany. Just slow feed rates.

Reviews are similar to the k40 lasers. ok base but many upgrades available and recommended. A lot of guys seem to be installing 300 or 500w motors.

I just got a whack of new orders. I may take that money and and invest in one of these with the main goal being etching with nail polish. If the CNC works out it will be a bonus as I like the idea of doing up some standard handle shapes. I'll have to learn fusion 360 and I expect this to be very slow. I guess that's an advantage of being a hobbyist and not having to make money from it.
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Cool, fusion has a great forum if you need any help as you progress :thumbsup:
 
Sorry, don't want to de-rail this thread so I'll answer these and leave it alone... My point was that I was thinking this router may struggle with stabilized wood but sounds like that's not the case, I look forward to your results Scott.

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I know this sounds stupid, but are you sure it was not on backwards? On those 80 tooth blades is can happen and not be all that obvious.
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No, it's def.on the correct way, but thanks for asking about that :thumbsup:

Natlek said:
Why you get one for cutting aluminium ? Make difference when you want to cut wood or laminate ...?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWPUCE9/ref=emc_b_5_i

There are lot of science behind cutting tooth on saws ................
http://circularsawblade.net/atb
http://circularsawblade.net/tcg
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I just heard that recommendation from another knife baker - a non ferrous blade for cutting g10 and micarta works wonders. But I'll have to try the wood blade I guess!
 
A low powered CO2 laser won't do anything but mark wood and other soft materials. You will need at least a 20 watt CO2 laser to do any work-and it still won't cut/mark metal. You need a fiber laser to cut metal.
The CNC routers can be used on most anything up to aluminum hardness.
 
razor-edge-knives said:
Well that's pretty cool, the reason I said that is that I tried to cut some stabilized wood the other day with a new carbide tipped table saw and it did NOT work, dulled the new blade almost immediately. Good to know your experience! What size motor does yours have?
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Its just 1.25 HP. It probably wouldn't cut metal, maybe aluminum, but I just slow down for hard woods. They are pretty capable machines.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
A low powered CO2 laser won't do anything but mark wood and other soft materials. You will need at least a 20 watt CO2 laser to do any work-and it still won't cut/mark metal. You need a fiber laser to cut metal.
The CNC routers can be used on most anything up to aluminum hardness.
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The laser is just to remove nail polish so you can etch it in. It’s essentially just used to make a stencil with good detail.
 
Not my idea. Someone posted here a couple weeks ago and I loved it. I'm not a big fan of making uv stencils. The other cool thing is after you burn the nail polish off you can make sure it aligned and looks right before etching.

There is also a way to paint the blade with a certain paint and burn that. It puts a strong etch on that needs to be sanded off. I still like the idea of electro etching better though.

Bluecj7 first suggested it he a linked a video on his Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIWUFb2j9yJ/?igshid=raema9fmwgwl




razor-edge-knives said:
That's actually a really neat idea
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