Custom 6061 Aluminum Body Build

[BowtieGuy]

i am thoroughly enjoying lasers right now. honestly though, im kind of questioning what to do with them... they are cool to have, but for me, personally, they do not serve a purpose haha! i have no use for them... what do you do with your lasers?

on the other hand, im also more of a 'enjoy the journey' kinda guy... i LOVE building things more than actually using them... i love building aquariums and sumps more than maintaining them, but i really do enjoy my fish. i love building trucks and tools more than driving them and using them... i just enjoy the challenge of engineering something, then building it. so i very highly doubt this is my last laser host... ill probably make a whole bunch more, and each one will be better than the last.

cheers! :beer:

a56x, you sound a lot like me, I usually find the"journey" much more fun and interesting than the destination.
I'd rather plan, order parts, modify components, and build lasers than actually use them, at least extensively; I do break them out and use them occasionally though.

That being said, there are a lot of things you can do besides the usual "what can I burn with my laser", ..... although that can be fun once in awhile too.

Many members like like the somewhat lower powered single mode diodes for their beam and dot qualities.
Quite a few people like to collect as many different wavelengths as they can, which can get expensive in a hurry when you start looking for the more rare wavelengths.
Some even make a collection of very low power lasers, such as <5mW, still, others get into gas lasers, and still others go for the projector scene.

PS - Definitely get that quick change tool post, you'll wonder how you got by without one.

 

[analog56x]

a56x, you sound a lot like me, I usually find the"journey" much more fun and interesting than the destination.
I'd rather plan, order parts, modify components, and build lasers than actually use them, at least extensively; I do break them out and use them occasionally though.

That being said, there are a lot of things you can do besides the usual "what can I burn with my laser", ..... although that can be fun once in awhile too.

Many members like like the somewhat lower powered single mode diodes for their beam and dot qualities.
Quite a few people like to collect as many different wavelengths as they can, which can get expensive in a hurry when you start looking for the more rare wavelengths.
Some even make a collection of very low power lasers, such as <5mW, still, others get into gas lasers, and still others go for the projector scene.

PS - Definitely get that quick change tool post, you'll wonder how you got by without one.

Yea, its on my 'once i get the lathe making money, ill buy it' list haha!

My first real experience with a laser would have to be at a manufacturing plant. They had one of i think 5 or 6 high powered laser pipe cutters in Canada (if i remember correctly). Id enter the parts, load the pipes and then stand in awe as i watched light slice through 0.375" steel pipe with EASE.

My brother just got a laser engraver, and im considering maybe getting one too. But id want to do more than etch wood and plastics... id of course be after the more durable, longer lasting materials haha! I wonder how many watts i would need to burn into mild steel... haha!

Anyways, it does sound like we enjoy the journey more than the result. Cheers bud! :beer:

 

[paul1598419]

You might also look at what other members here have made in the way of hosts. It may give you new ideas. There are many different types of hosts with embellishments that make them even more unique. To engrave steel might cost more than you'd be willing to pay. You can't really use visible light as it mainly reflects off the surface.

 

[analog56x]

You might also look at what other members here have made in the way of hosts. It may give you new ideas. There are many different types of hosts with embellishments that make them even more unique. To engrave steel might cost more than you'd be willing to pay. You can't really use visible light as it mainly reflects off the surface.

that makes a lot of sense. maybe id best stick to a dremel cnc or something instead of a lser cnc haha!

oh well... ive checked out a couple other member builds, ill check some more out though, im definitely up for inspiration