Homemade Diode Laser Cutting Bed for under £20 (#40 )

#laserengraving #cheap #homemade #diy
I didn't fancy paying for any expensive laser engraver cutting bed, so I set out to see what I could make for less than £20. Here's my results in a short video.

[@aam50]

Good solution. I struggle to understand why the pre-made beds are so expensive so will give this a try. Thanks for sharing the idea.

[@luvwud]

I found it does work, but does need replacing over time. But there again it hasn't cost much, so you can make another.

[@Pau1fc]

I have a K40 laser and have been using barbeque grill for years works a treat. Good video

[@luvwud]

Thanks. What do you clean it with?

[@Pau1fc]

I give it a scrub in the sink every now and again with an abrasive pad.@@luvwud

[@DGLaserCraft]

Great idea - thanks for the video.

[@luvwud]

Thanks for the comment.

[@nicolasbrunel6781]

Thanks, it will be very usefull for my next project. the bbq grill is a wonderfull idea 👍

[@luvwud]

Glad it was helpful.

[@jorgefabrettc.6747]

Perfecta y económica. Felicidades.

[@stevepownall8464]

Wow blast from the past, your video popped up on my feed so I thought I'd take a look at this one and a few of your other video's. Looks like your doing some clever stuff with your woodturning and workshop mate. Love the old Pinnacle top😂 It's good to see you looking well Geoff, take care and I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[@luvwud]

Cheers Steve. How you keeping? still at the same place.

[@charlesparell5597]

For the very bottom of the work area just buy the cheapest terracotta tiles you can find. Turn them upside down and line the bottom. The reddish underside is laser and fire proof. It also has raised checker board style ridges (normally used for grabbing into mortar), but those ridges are also taller by a few mm's.

[@luvwud]

That's interesting to know, thanks for that Charles

[@richarddouthwaite4981]

So simple, never thought of using BBQ grills. I To cut costs, I used a steel panel off a washing machine for my bed.

[@luvwud]

Good idea Richard, it all helps. Geoff

[@jeffersonluizbento20]

congratulations

[@GordonRock1]

Great idea, Geoff. I would be interested in how it works if you have a large piece to cut and need to cut across the wooden supports. Anyway, looks like a great idea!
Take care,
.....Gord

[@luvwud]

Hi Gord it cuts across the wood fine. Thanks for your comment, take care, Geoff

[@mikemcguckian6968]

Great money saving advise and fun to build.
So does your lazer bed just sit ontop of the mdf or aluminium spoil board or what keeps it in place?

[@luvwud]

The laser bed sits on top of a piece of sheet alum. Thanks for watching

[@mikemcguckian6968]

@luvwud OK thanks but what does the sheet of alum sit on top of and what holds it and the lazer bed in place?

[@luvwud]

@mikemcguckian6968 sorry see what your after. It sits on top of mdf with no screws as the laser doesn't create any kind of movement. Geoff

[@mikemcguckian6968]

@@luvwud many thanks for the clarification👍

[@santy5559]

Could you tell me what output power your module is please I've got a laser tree 10w on the way

[@luvwud]

As far as I can remember it's 5.5w, hope that helps. Geoff

[@santy5559]

@@luvwud oh ok, so mine should be ample powerful enough to cut templates to route around then

[@luvwud]

@@santy5559 What thickness you trying to cut

[@santy5559]

@@luvwud 5mm maybe 6mm I have an inlay job to do on a cutting board, so deeper the better, but as for the templates, I think I can cope with 3 or 4 mm

[@xrcontrol]

The Idea is great, but....
You will see, if you start many laser projekts, the thin metal will bend, so you have maybe a problem with the focus.

[@luvwud]

Thanks for your comment. Yes overtime the metal does bend and break eventually, but it's cheap to replace anyway. Geoff

[@xrcontrol]

Thats correct.

[@niceboy761]

Try wicks they do a large piece of that bbq stuff for a £10 spot

[@wswawewewd1]

It does not require wasting time. The old car coolant is much better!

[@wswawewewd1]

radiator......the old car is the best bed