Laser engraving enclosures with a cheap Chinese machine? Yes!

[culturejam]

Sorry, I misread. I thought you said, "0.5W" cuts, instead of 0.5mm.

I'm honestly not sure what the beam dimensions are. But, it's "pretty damn small". The 2.5W doesn't seem to be much, if any, bigger than the 1.5W NEJE I have.

[Val]

Thanks! That's great.

[madbean]

Head's up: the EleksMaker A5 Pro Forrest linked is 12% off until the 31st with the coupon code EleksMaker which comes out to just over $175 shipped.
https://www.banggood.com/2_5W-Desktop-DIY-Violet-Laser-Engraver-Engraving-Machine-Picture-CNC-Printer-Assembling-Kits-p-1001413.html?rmmds=category

I'm not saying I bought one, but I'm also not saying I didn't not buy one.

[pickdropper]

Head's up: the EleksMaker A5 Pro Forrest linked is 12% off until the 31st with the coupon code EleksMaker which comes out to just over $175 shipped.
https://www.banggood.com/2_5W-Desktop-DIY-Violet-Laser-Engraver-Engraving-Machine-Picture-CNC-Printer-Assembling-Kits-p-1001413.html?rmmds=category

I'm not saying I bought one, but I'm also not saying I didn't not buy one.

Wait, are you not saying that you didn't not buy one, or that you didn't in fact not buy one?

[madbean]

It was at least one of these

[pickdropper]

It was at least one of these

This forum needs a like button.

[selfdestroyer]

Head's up: the EleksMaker A5 Pro Forrest linked is 12% off until the 31st with the coupon code EleksMaker which comes out to just over $175 shipped.
https://www.banggood.com/2_5W-Desktop-DIY-Violet-Laser-Engraver-Engraving-Machine-Picture-CNC-Printer-Assembling-Kits-p-1001413.html?rmmds=category

I'm not saying I bought one, but I'm also not saying I didn't not buy one.

Just FYI, this coupon code still works. I just ordered one today.

Cody

[culturejam]

You guys are going to lap me! I'm still (pausing) working on the calibration to get it just so. But to be fair, I had to stop and fix my 3D printer, which took a bit to figure out. Now I have it working again. Just designed and printed a vertical stand for my (Cody's) Roku 3 because it was overheating and locking up. Works great.

Also, I will be designing / printing at least one improvement piece for the Eleksmaker. I'll keep you guys in the loop. (it's the thingie that holds down the stepper motor belts to keep them at tension...the one that ships with it is less than ideal)

[madbean]

Transit time was 11 days (if I had bought one, I mean).

[m-Kresol]

damn, it's 47% off now. Very tempting with the free-shipping to Austria and all.

Just saying. I might just buy one.


edit: with the 47% off, it's 199.90 $, so more expensive than with 12% off (175$ according to Brian)??

edit 2: just saw that there is another 12% off coupon ("EleksMaker") which will give you the 175$.

Another thing: is Mac OS supported?

[alanp]

When the planets align, and I actually get some spare dosh, I think I'm going to get one of those cheap chinese 40W laser machines. Being able to cut perspex and stuff would be most useful.

[m-Kresol]

I pulled the trigger after going back and forth all week and order the A3. It's bigger (bigger than necessary for enclosures), but only 17€ more expensive. I would need to put it away from my desk anyways independent of size, so I thought why not take the bigger one.

[culturejam]

When the planets align, and I actually get some spare dosh, I think I'm going to get one of those cheap chinese 40W laser machines.

I was really tempted on those. My big issues is that I don't really have a place to set it up that has enough room for the exhaust fan piping and water pump bits and bobs (cooling).

[madbean]

This should help with assembly. Actually on their website as one giant pic which I broke down into pages that can be printed.

[Martan]

I've had success cleaning up the powder coat remains with isopropanol, but recently etched a transparent finish from PPP and had to use acetone to get the crud out afterwards. Problem is that acetone will dull/remove some of the rest of the finish. Luckily, envirotex brought the shine back.

Another cool material for laser etching is Rowmark Lasermax plastic (http://www.rowmark.com/laser/LaserMAX/lasermax.asp). Its a thin layer of one color on top of a thicker bulk plastic of another. Great for making faceplates. Lots of color combos and I found them for ~$17 for a large sheet that could do maybe 20-30 faceplates. With the right laser you can etch and cut it out in one go. There's also software that can convert photos into engravable images like Phograv (pricey). I used photograv + rowmark lasermax + envirotex to make this for a Collasalus build (if I can just finish it ):