Here is that one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGLZqveXE88
This could be done with out a 3d printer. Those gears and maybe the rack are cheap parts on Ebay or other sites.
Chinese Laser Engraver
- Thread starter mecompco
- Start date
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Here is that one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGLZqveXE88
This could be done with out a 3d printer. Those gears and maybe the rack are cheap parts on Ebay or other sites.
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I wanted to add this as a separate post but I think Inkscape (a free vector program) has some sort of program that interfaces with these cheap laser engravers.
So instead of burning it like a raster file it can burn vector files which are more like lines and shapes.
So instead of burning it like a raster file it can burn vector files which are more like lines and shapes.
larryc
Member
With the one I made you only need 2 pieces of 1/4" mdf or plywood and a rubber band. The bushings, mandrel and slimline tubes I'm sure you already have.
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Well I was just looking at parts and if you want the extra security of a toothed wheel here are more than enough parts to make a rack and pinion.
GT2 20 Teeth Aluminium Timing Pulley 2.5M 2GT Belt For 3D Printer RepRap Sale - Banggood.com
Actually they have all the parts to do it right and turn the pen directly from the mechanizm that moves the bed back and forth.
duncsuss
Member
That security comes at a price.
By definition, if the circumference at the drive location is not the same as the circumference of the barrel you are engraving, the image will be scaled in proportion to the ratio of the two. The horizontal axis will not be scaled, of course, so the image will be distorted instead of simply "wrapped around the barrel".
Using the bushings for the pen will be a closer match -- unless you get a cog machined for every different barrel diameter.
Yea right, I now remember I thought of this before but remembered that there would be issues. But the one 3d printed jig does just that. Going to have to look into this more since dam those engravers are so cheap now.
duncsuss
Member
I like that jig, but I'd be inclined to just use the side supports from it and skip the toothed wheel which I think is overkill for this task (having seen how well the rubber band driven one works).
Mach4
Member
Here's my rotary engraving solution for the NeJe laser engraver. I'm using the 1500 mw version.
I used the concepts and basic design of the various pioneering efforts documented on the net. I designed the brackets and supports in Fusion 360 and printed them on a 3D printer. The mandrel is just a piece of 1/4" cold rolled with the diameter reduced a few thousandths. The bearings are ones I scavenged from some old inline skates. I was able to turn the bushings and the drive wheels on my metal lathe. The drive wheels are knurled to ensure no slippage against the rubber bands. The drive wheels are sized to the various barrel sizes of pens - they don't need to be exact just fairly close. I'm using plastic finishing bushings to hold the barrel square and secure.
Shown is my latest pen engraved with a Celtic knot design.
I used the concepts and basic design of the various pioneering efforts documented on the net. I designed the brackets and supports in Fusion 360 and printed them on a 3D printer. The mandrel is just a piece of 1/4" cold rolled with the diameter reduced a few thousandths. The bearings are ones I scavenged from some old inline skates. I was able to turn the bushings and the drive wheels on my metal lathe. The drive wheels are knurled to ensure no slippage against the rubber bands. The drive wheels are sized to the various barrel sizes of pens - they don't need to be exact just fairly close. I'm using plastic finishing bushings to hold the barrel square and secure.
Shown is my latest pen engraved with a Celtic knot design.
Attachments
Jadey
Member
You won't be sorry! Next project I'll post a video of my rubber band driven rolling jig based on a couple ideas I saw. 1 coat of CA then start burning! Well worth the $100.00!
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Well as a reward for filling my income taxes 1 day early, in 3 to 7, probably 5 or 6 I will be the proud owner of a new laser engraver.
At Gear Best if you pick the LA warehouse its actually cheaper than sending it from China.
I think I already have a use for it if it gets here and set up by mid May.
My boss has a team that completes in the BBQ contest at Memphis in May, second place whole hog:eat:, and I think I can sell him some pens. Enough to cover the cost of the supplies and the engraver. Figure I can make up some gun metal sierra/monets kits from woodnwhimsie. Not sure if I should source some mesquite wood blanks or just use some maple for max contrast. Any extra burning just adds to the decoration.
I also have access to all his graphics in the perfect format because I make all his signage.
Wondering what I should charge.
At Gear Best if you pick the LA warehouse its actually cheaper than sending it from China.
I think I already have a use for it if it gets here and set up by mid May.
My boss has a team that completes in the BBQ contest at Memphis in May, second place whole hog:eat:, and I think I can sell him some pens. Enough to cover the cost of the supplies and the engraver. Figure I can make up some gun metal sierra/monets kits from woodnwhimsie. Not sure if I should source some mesquite wood blanks or just use some maple for max contrast. Any extra burning just adds to the decoration.
I also have access to all his graphics in the perfect format because I make all his signage.
Wondering what I should charge.
sbwertz
Member
Two things...get a little fan (I bought a little usb fan from the dollar store!) and blow the smoke away. Second, reduce the burning time. Soft woods don't take very long at all, and if it isn't dark enough, hit "recarve" to burn it deeper without darkening the surrounding area. (Some 400/600 grit sandpaper on a sanding block will remove the stain without damaging the engraving.)
sbwertz
Member
You will be amazed at the things you think of you can engrave! I make little wooden tags for the stuff from the blind center that shows the kind of wood it is made from and the ACBVI logo on the back. Also ID tags for canes with their name and phone number in case they lose them. My grandsons made id tags for their backpacks and musical instrument cases, and also engraved their phone number on the drone they built with their 3d printer. I engrave little 1" disks with a name (or wedding date in one case) and inlay them into the top of bottle stoppers, and also engrave a 5-speed shift pattern and inlay them into the top of gearshift-knob shaped bottle stoppers. Just use a forstner bit and drill out a little depression on the top of the stopper before removing it from the stopper mandrel. Glue in the disc and finish as usual.
If you are engraving dark wood get some "Rub N Buff" and rub into the engraving. (Apply a good hard finish BEFORE engraving so the Rub N Buff doesn't get into the grain of the wood, and burn it deep.)
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Any More Issues with the service life of the laser diode?
Ok now that I have an engraver on order I'd like to know if anyone else is having diode life issues?
I just realized I was the second poster on this thread and somehow lost track of it and only picked it back up a few pages ago. Based on what I read I ordered one and hope it gets shipped soon, fingers crossed. I already have what maybe my first pen sales set up based on having this laser.
But anyway I decided to go back and read all the posts I missed for any tips and hit the section where 2 people had life issues with the diode.
I may need to do a hundred pens and I need to know should I have a spare diode (or 2) on hand and just assume that this is a consumable like ink for a printer? I do plan on having a fan on the heat sink and not try to tax it too much. I right now have a May 15th deadline.
I also guess if this takes off I could invest in a Non Toy engraver. :good:
Ok now that I have an engraver on order I'd like to know if anyone else is having diode life issues?
I just realized I was the second poster on this thread and somehow lost track of it and only picked it back up a few pages ago. Based on what I read I ordered one and hope it gets shipped soon, fingers crossed. I already have what maybe my first pen sales set up based on having this laser.
But anyway I decided to go back and read all the posts I missed for any tips and hit the section where 2 people had life issues with the diode.
I may need to do a hundred pens and I need to know should I have a spare diode (or 2) on hand and just assume that this is a consumable like ink for a printer? I do plan on having a fan on the heat sink and not try to tax it too much. I right now have a May 15th deadline.
I also guess if this takes off I could invest in a Non Toy engraver. :good:
wood-of-1kind
Member
I have not had any issues with the diode (so far). Hopefully you will NOT do 100 pens at once as this is not a heavy duty unit. I try not to do more than 5 images in a row (per day). Remember this is a fairly inexpensive unit that is not engineered to be a workhorse. I love my little unit and it has worked well so far.
mecompco
Member
Yup, had to replace my diode. I ran it pretty much straight for a couple of hours and the next time I went to use it, it wouldn't burn. A replacement diode from eBay and it was right back in business. Now I use a small fan and some restraint to hopefully make this one last longer.
You were one of the two posters I was referring to.
So the replacement is working better? And do you think its because the first diode was a dud or you are just "babying" it more?
I'll probably add a proper fan to the diode heat sink and maybe burn them every 5 min or so. Even if it totally dies I should make enough to cover buying a new one from this upcoming job. I'm thinking $20 per pen for maybe 50 or so, Holly crap that $1,000 minus $350 for kits blank and supplies. What the going rate for Sierra's with either a pecan or maple custom engraved blank?
Oh and I'm getting antsy. I ordered it Monday from the gear best LA warehouse and its just sitting there in a "Packed" status. :crying:
Oh and I understand ordering from China, I get a package of stuff from Banggood every two weeks or so but like I said this is from LA and will be shipped FedEx Smart post. So I know once FedEx gets it, its only 5 or so days to me.
Mach4
Member
If you're using the unit for commercial purposes, it would be advisable to have a spare diode....heck, for $100 get a complete spare unit.
...cheap insurance
...cheap insurance
I got it for $68 shipped from LA so I could double my output. In fact, since its a sierra, I plan on turning two blanks at a time.
mecompco
Member
Well, the original diode worked fine for the first six months or so, then once I ran around 80 engraved 'fridge magnets, it stopped working. Gave every indication of working, noise and light, but no burn. Swapped in the replacement and its been fine (have not used it as much, yet, either). If it is a mission critical piece of equipment for you, I think having a spare diode and/or spare engraver might not be a bad idea (diode was $22.00 on eBay).
duncsuss
Member
In my experience, this is not a realistic expectation. FedEx Smartpost has only one redeeming feature -- it's cheap for the shipper -- and their delivery estimates are about as reliable as a chocolate watch.
I've ordered a fair amount of stuff from Banggood from China and their Los Angles warehouse. I usually order Friday and I sometimes get it on the next Friday or maybe Monday, usually because they try to deliver it on Saturday and since I send it to my work no one is there.
So I guess 5 days was a little too optimistic. I've gotten stuff from China in less than 10 or so calendar days but then I once forgot about a package and it showed up 2 months later.
OklaTurner
Member
Just took delivery of my new engraver!! Only one week from order to delivery through www.jet.com. Package was in good condition and the laser was well packed. Unfortunately, I don't have any play time until Saturday.
Micah
PatrickR
Member
I couldn't resist. I got a colemeter 1000mv from amazon.
Is anyone selling the rotating jigs for these? I'd rather buy one that works than have to engineer it.
Is anyone selling the rotating jigs for these? I'd rather buy one that works than have to engineer it.
Mach4
Member
Nope
There are simple plans on a laser engraver help page on face book. I can post the name tomorrow.
PatrickR
Member
I just went back a couple pages in this thread and found a video by Bob Pace. really simple to make. I'll give it a try.
That's the one I found.
You had to post this. You jinxed me. Just got an update and the new estimate is next Saturday which means Monday which means I lose a weekend.
:mad-tongue:
mecompco
Member
Incorrect. Mike Shortness is 3D printing and selling the rotary jigs. Granted you can make one yourself if you so desire. Here's his video of it in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bmdgfx_Lnw&t=13s
Mach4
Member
I stand corrected.... Didn't find anything when doing research before designing and building mine.
Thanks
mecompco
Member
Hey, no problem! I know it's a fairly simple design, but for those who would rather pay than put the time into making one, it's an ($45.00) option.
duncsuss
Member
You had to post this. You jinxed me. Just got an update and the new estimate is next Saturday which means Monday which means I lose a weekend.
Sorry. At least I gave you two days in which you could prepare for the disappointment (such as stocking up on chocolate, amboyna burl blanks, baby back ribs, more amboyna burl blanks, etc.)
After going to MPG I realized that a lot of pen turners only turn pens. They don't have access to "real" woodworking shop with things like table saws. I would assume most only have a lathe and a drill press. Heck some may even not have that and buy predrilled blanks.
Where can I find or buy the mike shortness 3D rotary jig for the neje laser engraver. I saw the video and would like to buy one. Any information is appreciated
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PatrickR
Member
Well that was disappointing. after one day mine is going back. it worked initially and I burned about a half dozen tests. It stopped being recognized by the computer, tried it on another but no luck. I'm glad I got it from amazon. I'll have to decide if I want to try another of the same or get the newer Bluetooth model.
mecompco
Member
Here's a link to his FB page. You can PM him there to see where you'd be on the waiting list.
https://www.facebook.com/mike.shortness?fref=nf
You had to post this. You jinxed me. Just got an update and the new estimate is next Saturday which means Monday which means I lose a weekend.
Sorry. At least I gave you two days in which you could prepare for the disappointment (such as stocking up on chocolate, amboyna burl blanks, baby back ribs, more amboyna burl blanks, etc.)
Well me sacrificing one of those amboyna burl blanks over the weekend must have made a difference and that scan on Friday saying it went back to CA was wrong and instead it went 3/4 across the country over the weekend and is sitting outside Columbus only 200 miles away.
Now its saying its going to delivered Friday. I think it may get here before then but don't want to jinx it.
AND YOU BETTER NOT ALSO :angry:
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Ok engraver just got here. And I now understand why people can have issues with FedEx smartpost.
Here is the journey of my package. Notice it crossed the Ohio/PA border 5 times in the last 3 days.
I had heard that the various shipper's automated system that have trouble reading the addresses on the labels and sometimes read the return address and start to send it back to where it came from but then that hub reads it correctly and sends back in the right direction.
Ok done with my mini rant got to get this hooked up.
4/27/2017 - Thursday
4/26/2017 - Wednesday
4/25/2017 - Tuesday
4/24/2017 - Monday
4/21/2017 - Friday
4/20/2017 - Thursday
4/19/2017 - Wednesday
Here is the journey of my package. Notice it crossed the Ohio/PA border 5 times in the last 3 days.
I had heard that the various shipper's automated system that have trouble reading the addresses on the labels and sometimes read the return address and start to send it back to where it came from but then that hub reads it correctly and sends back in the right direction.
Ok done with my mini rant got to get this hooked up.
4/27/2017 - Thursday
- 10:27 am Delivered PITTSBURGH, PA
- 8:25 am Out for delivery PITTSBURGH, PA
- 4:08 am At U.S. Postal Service facility PITTSBURGH, PA
- 12:29 am Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST CLINTON, PA
4/26/2017 - Wednesday
- 3:59 pm Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST CLINTON, PA
- 5:09 am Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST GROVEPORT, OH
- 1:04 am Departed FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST CLINTON, PA
4/25/2017 - Tuesday
- 11:54 pm Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST GROVEPORT, OH
- 11:12 am Arrived at FedEx location FEDEX SMARTPOST CLINTON, PA
- 1:38 am Departed FedEx location GROVE CITY, OH
4/24/2017 - Monday
- 2:37 pm Arrived at FedEx location GROVE CITY, OH
4/21/2017 - Friday
- 8:26 pm Arrived at FedEx location CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA
4/20/2017 - Thursday
- 8:49 pm In transit CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, NM
- 7:37 am Departed FedEx location CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA
4/19/2017 - Wednesday
- 8:25 pm Arrived at FedEx location CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA