Any of you guys that have lasers have any reference info. for power and speed settings? Anything else that would help would be great also. I can't wait to get my laser!!

Info comes with the laser, speed, max thickness rate of cut/travel etc.
There was a basic material guide with mine but yours may have a more comprehensive chart. On mine it was a case of try and see as not all materials where covered and wood was classed only as soft or hard. But plywood is a different animal altogether. Everyone is different I've found for some reason even those that are the same power.

2nd that comment above....it all depends on the power of your machine, whether it has frequency modulation, gas "flooding" etc.....

One bit of advice however is to remember: The laser is "not" straight when cutting. Especially on thick pieces. Sheet balsa and ply are usually no problem but the thicker you get one must deal with "focus" issues or "convergence". Always try to get the "focus" in the exact center of the thickness you are cutting to minimize this. (wide kerf at top and bottom and the thinnest kerf in the middle) This is negligable on thin parts as mentioned but can be very pronounced on thick stuff.

Have fun...!

I got my laser delivered last night!!! It is everything I expected and a bit more. we had to seperate it into 2 pieces to get it through the 42" door but after that is was pretty smooth. pictures are from the cell, I'll get better ones soon. I have to finish organizing the wires and hoses tonight and get her moved to her final location. it was a long night but sooo worth it. It's time to start having fun!

grats on the laser! I dont have one...but I do have a CNC router that I cant imagine living with out now. Yesterday I kicked out a few motor mounts I needed for some electric conversions I'm working on. Took about 5 min in cad to draw and about the same to cut. Once you go CNC you never go back. Torchmate sells a 24x24 CNC router for under 2 grand, the price on CNC machines is dropping fast making it a real option for smaller companies/personal use. If I had to out fit my shop all over again and I could choose between my bandsaw, table saw, and jig saw or a 24x24 cnc router....I'd pick the router in a heartbeat.

Chris Bowker
Dark Side Models

you r very lucky to have a laser...

Yeah I am Lucky to have the Laser for sure. I have been playing with it and getting some projects ready to start shortly. I still love my CNC router, and both will be getting a workout this winter. here are some pics of projects I have been playing with. Mode1 will know what the ribs are for .

Hey Rob congrats on the new laser. When ya gonna send me some more info so's I can look em over before starting ?

Did you make that flutterbye ?

new info will be coming soon, had a guy at work have to take off for 6-8 weeks and I go this load now so I haven't been working too much on the plane. I have all the wood now. thinking about starting a thread and letting the cat out of the bag soon.

Yeah I made the "flutterbye"

That's good to hear. You know I'm willing to help if you need me.

very cool stuff

Yeah it is real cool!! Her is a pic of a kit I am going to be making. just a little electric fun plane. perfect for night flying.

nice work. I just got a vinyl cutter in yesterday...hooked up and working today. I love technology

Chris

RCpilot82 dare I ask the cost and will it work with Windows 7

Originally Posted by lfalsetto

RCpilot82 dare I ask the cost and will it work with Windows 7

Well, Lets put it this way.. I could have bought a new car for the price of the laser. The E*bay lasers look nice and cheap but by the time you do all the customs and import fees, fda, boat shipping, truck shipping. it adds up real quick. Yes it is a chinese laser, from what I have found it is one of the best chinese lasers out there today. I paid one lump sum to what is now rabbitlaserusa.com and got the laser delivered and set up at my house with training on the spot. this was in my opinion the best and safest way to insure that I got the laser I wanted in working order with no issues. and that is exactly what happened.

Rabbit laser USA sells all thier lasers complete with a computer. the comp. has all the software on it and is literally plug and play. the OS is Windows XP and I have been told it will NOT work with windows 7 due to drivers.

My experience so far has been a positive one but I also had prior knowledge of laser basics and CAD/CAM software. I think I would have been lost if not for that. there is definatly a learning curve when you keep the cost of replacement lenses and mirrors, and tubes in your head.