What happens when your laser cuts through your plastic deck ? Also I can see an issue with the laser being out of focus near the edges of the work being as the gantry isn't wide enough to keep the work piece level to the laser? I mean if it works it works I suppose but it doesn't seem like the most practical of solutions also because the bottom of the k40 is so prone to warping. You can even see it as the cleanout hole at the bottom is raised 3/16 of an inch above the wood it's sitting on. But your results seem to be in focus so I'm perplexed that it's working so good nice to have that adjustable z.
I know a lot of people say to throw the fan that comes with the K40 Away... But squirrel cade fans are usually quieter and in this case, the airflow is adequate. I put a notch on the bottom edge of the housing so that it drops about another half inch. Then the fan top edge is not above the back of the laser. I also used some weather stripping tape around the edge. When I cut my duct down I changed out the screws so they would not snag the weather stripping when sliding the fan in. I eventually modified the housing so that it doesn't interfere with opening the laser tube cover. Cheers...You make a nice video. (PS...I had the same rough rails on mine.)
I will be getting my k40 this week and i was thinking doing what you did, the only difference is, I was planning on tacking steel plates on both sides of the gantry, and using an L bars on each side to hold the grill up with a 3 holes on each L bar for removable magnets to hold the L Bars in place once the hight was set of any giving job, did you find that just the lab jack was stable enough or is the stabilizing magnet idea worth doing?
No i ended up with spring loaded angle clamps on each side to hold a bed that can adjust up and down according to the thickness of the material. Iam working on a new video right now showing this exact thing.should be out soon.
@@letsfixit1594 Thanks for the update, ill be sure to subscribe to see what you come up with, If these K40's had more cut surfaces a mechanical Z-axis would have been worth it, but let's call an apple an apple right! we will never be cutting enough thick material to make it worth the time to have a Z-axis autofocusing system on these basement tools right
@@letsfixit1594 in regards to our little conversion My K40 finally come and all my upgrades are done which also included fully re-wiring that electrical fire that was waiting to happen hahahah the Chinese really don't pay attention to safety do they! One of the upgrades I did, helped solved two issues in one go, i bought a K series lens and head kit www.cloudraylaser.com/products/cloudray-co2-laser-head-set-for-2030-4060-k40-laser-engraving-cutting-machine?variant=7698567102515 , It comes with better mirror and lens, and the lens is mounted in a tube that you can adjust the height to lower or rais it by about a 1"1/2 Which solves making a Z-axis bed thing.
Hi. I love this video because it shows a lot of possibilities for this machine. I bought one and the cutting head do not moves on the X direction. I asked for help to the dealer but they haven’t done much so far. I see you guys know a lot and I would like to see if some one could help me. To be more specific, when you send a drawing to be processes, the head just moves back and forward but not left and right. I rally would appreciate your help. Thanks, Raul
Hi Neto check to see if the white ribbon cable is connected both on the motor side and on the control board side, pull the cable out and plug it back in both sides, it will disconnect and connect easily with a bit of force. Did it ever work?
hello congratulations for your video. what was the height you left from the bottom of the machine to the hole you cut for the screw that goes to the lab table?
Thanks for the great info. Is the image using dithering or have you done some upgrade to do grayscale? Any chance you could share your test image with the pictures and engraving levels circle?
Hi, This was a while ago but I basically just imported the image into inkscape to resize it and I use K40 whisperer to run the laser. the test image you can find here: www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thingiverse.com%2Fthing%3A2243854&psig=AOvVaw35Qi9CWPp40CXSoWq3yqd_&ust=1603889917557000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCNCvxtjp1OwCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
It's like an episode of watch with Biden! For those in UK, see what happens when Barry chuckle gets a K40 for Christmas off his brother and without any thought goes to work on it.
Great video. Just wanting to know what the honeycomb material you used please & if possible could you put a link to where you bought it from. Thank you
Hi Sandi I bought this material at a local hardware but you can buy something like this on ebay :www.ebay.at/itm/Aluminium-Wabenplatte-300x200mm-3-5mm-Wabengitter-Honeycomb-plate-CO2-Laser/132828892274
Hi Eduardo I 3D printed a bed that fit on top so it was a bit more stable, but i ended up changing to a spring loaded fixed bed as the lab lift moved from side to side a lot.
Ouch sorry to hear that, I did have a look around but I ended up soldering a bridge across the damaged connections and has worked ever since, are you handy with a soldering iron?
New message from: huijuhk (769Purple Star) Ok, we will send you FFC cable products of the following specifications: 1.12 needle 2. Spacing 1.25MM 3. Length: 1200mm 4. Quantity: 1 If you have any questions, please feel free to write again. Thank you
Hi Damian, do you mean the lab lift, I bought it from amazon: www.amazon.com/Suteck-Scientific-Aluminum-Platform-Lab-Lift/dp/B07KF8RTT3/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=TSQUZNWBLYLZ&keywords=lab+lift&qid=1561108012&s=gateway&sprefix=lab+lift%2Caps%2C509&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
@@letsfixit1594 Thank you, I've been toying with the ideal of getting a laser machine for some time, but i've shide away from these K40s because about 2 years ago when I got interested in lasers everybody was saying they were rubbish and not worth the money, but since I came across your videos I've changed my mind. Thank you so much.
@@richardking7996 yeah for something to play around with and get to know the software they are pretty good, with a little tweaking of course. Download K40 whisperer www.scorchworks.com for the interface as it is a lot better than the Chinese software.
Hi The program I use is Inkscape and there is a lot of info on youtube how to prepare a picture for laser engraving and I also use K40 Whisperer to interface with the laser.
Hi Raymond here is the link: www.amazon.de/Scientific-Scherenwagenheber-Edelstahl-Plattform-Steuerung/dp/B01M8LBBZM/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=2GWJ5HCAMXXGN&keywords=lab+lift&qid=1555348113&s=gateway&sprefix=lab+lift%2Caps%2C787&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1
@@devlaminckx3382 The etching is done at 100mm per sec. and the power is a bit tricky as normally you dont have a indictor for the power setting but i have built a new control panel where i can set the power down to the millivolt, i will be posting a new video soon with all the new upgrades.
The best idea for that fan is to throw it away and buy a much better one. That thing is garbage and even when sealed up it doesn't work well plus you block access to your tube. I 3D printed a 4-inch port that I put where the fan would go and ran it to an inline exhaust fan I bought on Amazon. SOOO much better fume extraction.
Shooting a 40 w laser against a white surface with the safety lid open is not the best and most safe idea. Be careful these laser damage your eyes and you don't even feel anything until it is too late.
"typical Chinese" Yeah nah... I'm out. You bought cheap shit. It doesn't matter where it was made. It's low quality because it was cheap. Buy an expensive Chinese laser and the quality is much higher than even Australian manufactured lasers.
You think the Chinese are going to miraculously start making their products better if people complain? lol. People like @Let ́s Fix It are the reason we can learn how to fix things ourselves; not everything has to be done for you. It's a skill. Be grateful a great video was made to help, not just whinge about what they received.
@@vb2995 You don't waste your money buying something new only to fix it. It should world perfectly out of the box. If you want to tinker than build one from scratch.
@@Bobster986 No shit, which is why you avoid cheap Chinese if you want quality. They are the definition of quantity over quality. People also learn while doing alterations. If you want to tinker, build one from scratch.. that's ridiculous. That's literally two different hobbies right there. If you want to complain about how humans learn, stay in your church.
First guy that fixed the "fan problem" properly without too much engineering and bullshit .
What happens when your laser cuts through your plastic deck ? Also I can see an issue with the laser being out of focus near the edges of the work being as the gantry isn't wide enough to keep the work piece level to the laser? I mean if it works it works I suppose but it doesn't seem like the most practical of solutions also because the bottom of the k40 is so prone to warping. You can even see it as the cleanout hole at the bottom is raised 3/16 of an inch above the wood it's sitting on. But your results seem to be in focus so I'm perplexed that it's working so good nice to have that adjustable z.
A steady camera would be nice as you are making me Nausea with all the movement!
I know a lot of people say to throw the fan that comes with the K40 Away... But squirrel cade fans are usually quieter and in this case, the airflow is adequate. I put a notch on the bottom edge of the housing so that it drops about another half inch. Then the fan top edge is not above the back of the laser. I also used some weather stripping tape around the edge. When I cut my duct down I changed out the screws so they would not snag the weather stripping when sliding the fan in.
I eventually modified the housing so that it doesn't interfere with opening the laser tube cover. Cheers...You make a nice video. (PS...I had the same rough rails on mine.)
Nice tip, I will try this, great idea.
Have you heard the saying boj it and baj it good video but for smoother and faster moving I changed the bearings from metal to poly ingus bearings
Good job thank you for idea
Thank you for the kind comments! Did you see my newer video for a cheap pin bed solution to add to this?
why not twist the rod 180 so the nick is on the bottom side wouldn't hurt as much as it is on top (gravity) ?? Kind regards HAns
This is a great suggestion.
@@letsfixit1594 Welcome, I got mine just this week so I'm looking all over the internet for tricks and tips Kind regards
Like you air assist technique 😍
How did you connect the adjusting rod to the level scissor table? Thanks.
Hi, Awesome Video, thank you! I was wondering if you can provide the files for the coupler please.
Hi Kirk, you can find it here. www.thingiverse.com/thing:4732146/files
Thanks for the shout-out and make!
Pleasure, thx for the ideas.
Really nice video. Please make more of these
I will be getting my k40 this week and i was thinking doing what you did, the only difference is, I was planning on tacking steel plates on both sides of the gantry, and using an L bars on each side to hold the grill up with a 3 holes on each L bar for removable magnets to hold the L Bars in place once the hight was set of any giving job, did you find that just the lab jack was stable enough or is the stabilizing magnet idea worth doing?
No i ended up with spring loaded angle clamps on each side to hold a bed that can adjust up and down according to the thickness of the material. Iam working on a new video right now showing this exact thing.should be out soon.
@@letsfixit1594 Thanks for the update, ill be sure to subscribe to see what you come up with, If these K40's had more cut surfaces a mechanical Z-axis would have been worth it, but let's call an apple an apple right! we will never be cutting enough thick material to make it worth the time to have a Z-axis autofocusing system on these basement tools right
@@letsfixit1594 in regards to our little conversion My K40 finally come and all my upgrades are done which also included fully re-wiring that electrical fire that was waiting to happen hahahah the Chinese really don't pay attention to safety do they! One of the upgrades I did, helped solved two issues in one go, i bought a K series lens and head kit www.cloudraylaser.com/products/cloudray-co2-laser-head-set-for-2030-4060-k40-laser-engraving-cutting-machine?variant=7698567102515 , It comes with better mirror and lens, and the lens is mounted in a tube that you can adjust the height to lower or rais it by about a 1"1/2 Which solves making a Z-axis bed thing.
Hi. I love this video because it shows a lot of possibilities for this machine. I bought one and the cutting head do not moves on the X direction. I asked for help to the dealer but they haven’t done much so far. I see you guys know a lot and I would like to see if some one could help me. To be more specific, when you send a drawing to be processes, the head just moves back and forward but not left and right. I rally would appreciate your help. Thanks, Raul
Hi Neto check to see if the white ribbon cable is connected both on the motor side and on the control board side, pull the cable out and plug it back in both sides, it will disconnect and connect easily with a bit of force. Did it ever work?
hello congratulations for your video.
what was the height you left from the bottom of the machine to the hole you cut for the screw that goes to the lab table?
Thanks for video!
why is the cutting area so much smaller than the gantry?
Thanks for the great info. Is the image using dithering or have you done some upgrade to do grayscale? Any chance you could share your test image with the pictures and engraving levels circle?
Hi, This was a while ago but I basically just imported the image into inkscape to resize it and I use K40 whisperer to run the laser. the test image you can find here: www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thingiverse.com%2Fthing%3A2243854&psig=AOvVaw35Qi9CWPp40CXSoWq3yqd_&ust=1603889917557000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCNCvxtjp1OwCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
@@letsfixit1594 Thank you
It's like an episode of watch with Biden!
For those in UK, see what happens when Barry chuckle gets a K40 for Christmas off his brother and without any thought goes to work on it.
Great video. Just wanting to know what the honeycomb material you used please & if possible could you put a link to where you bought it from. Thank you
Hi Sandi I bought this material at a local hardware but you can buy something like this on ebay :www.ebay.at/itm/Aluminium-Wabenplatte-300x200mm-3-5mm-Wabengitter-Honeycomb-plate-CO2-Laser/132828892274
When everything is removed, what's the height from the very bottom of the bed to the laser focus point?
Hi Jeremy the height is 50.8mm.
These appear to be more trouble than they're worth. In saying that, I still want one.
Hi Kim yes standard they are very basic but with a few changes you can actually do a lot of fun stuff.
@@letsfixit1594 Then I look forward to seeing some of your future projects. Cheers!
What is the diameter of the screw that makes the platform go up and down?
I dont have this machine anymore but I think it was a 5 or 6 mm.
Nice work!
Do you just locate the honeycomb on top of the platform with no attachment?
Hi Eduardo I 3D printed a bed that fit on top so it was a bit more stable, but i ended up changing to a spring loaded fixed bed as the lab lift moved from side to side a lot.
I also drilled through the ribbon cable, where did you buy your new one from? Please
Ouch sorry to hear that, I did have a look around but I ended up soldering a bridge across the damaged connections and has worked ever since, are you handy with a soldering iron?
@@letsfixit1594 I got one on ebay, finally. This guy will help you out. huijuhk
www.ebay.com.au/usr/huijuhk
New message from: huijuhk (769Purple Star)
Ok, we will send you FFC cable products of the following specifications:
1.12 needle
2. Spacing 1.25MM
3. Length: 1200mm
4. Quantity: 1
If you have any questions, please feel free to write again. Thank you
hi do you have a link to print your laser's fan support ? Thx
Hi check out my new video, I have a new design for the air assist and the file is in the description.
@@letsfixit1594 Ok Thx
Excellent video! How do you controll the laser power?
Hi Eduardo the power is adjusted from the multi turn pot. and displayed on the voltage readout. 0-5 volts, 5 volts being the max power output.
@@letsfixit1594 I was believing that the 'z' axis controlled the laser's power through the focal point. Thank you for the info!
That's a very nice air assist! Where can we get the STL? :D
Hi Zero you can find it here: www.thingiverse.com/thing:3753948
Did you design the coupler for the bed yourself or where did you find it? Thanks!
Hi Damian, do you mean the lab lift, I bought it from amazon: www.amazon.com/Suteck-Scientific-Aluminum-Platform-Lab-Lift/dp/B07KF8RTT3/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=TSQUZNWBLYLZ&keywords=lab+lift&qid=1561108012&s=gateway&sprefix=lab+lift%2Caps%2C509&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
I can't tell if this is a parody video or if you're being serious with your "techniques" and modifications. lol!
6:57 "MASSOMENOSS" :D
What is the size of the cutting area now you've made these modifications.
Hi Richard the cutting area is about 32cm * 22cm.
@@letsfixit1594 Thank you, I've been toying with the ideal of getting a laser machine for some time, but i've shide away from these K40s because about 2 years ago when I got interested in lasers everybody was saying they were rubbish and not worth the money, but since I came across your videos I've changed my mind. Thank you so much.
@@richardking7996 yeah for something to play around with and get to know the software they are pretty good, with a little tweaking of course. Download K40 whisperer www.scorchworks.com for the interface as it is a lot better than the Chinese software.
@@letsfixit1594 Thanks for the link, but be sure to delete the ending ")" that was accidentally included in the link or the link won't work...
@@steveh8724 Thx Steve, fixed.
Hi,
how do you repair the hooking x-axis? Great work!
Hi thx, I used a very fine grit sandpaper and removed the burr.
HI,
I just like to know what program you used to make the picture?
Love the video thx
Hi The program I use is Inkscape and there is a lot of info on youtube how to prepare a picture for laser engraving and I also use K40 Whisperer to interface with the laser.
@@letsfixit1594 I use inkskape as well. For photos I used gimp. Going to look it up how to use inkskape. Do you have a tutorial?
Great work I don't see the links to thingiverse,,,,, would appreciate the 3d printed file?
thanks Chris
Hi Chris, I added the file in the description.
@@letsfixit1594Many thanks!
Where did you get the z axis adjusting platform?
Hi Raymond here is the link: www.amazon.de/Scientific-Scherenwagenheber-Edelstahl-Plattform-Steuerung/dp/B01M8LBBZM/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=2GWJ5HCAMXXGN&keywords=lab+lift&qid=1555348113&s=gateway&sprefix=lab+lift%2Caps%2C787&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1
where is the promised "link in the discription?!"
Hi Frank thx for the heads up, I added the links in the description.
Throw the fan away its a piece of shite, make a new exit and sticka 5 inch tube on it and an inline fan at the end... much better.
which program do you use for the engraving and cutting? 40K whisperer? And which design program? Do you use Inkscape which one?
Hi De
I use K40 whisperer, it works great and Inkscape which iam having a few issues with and iam trying out Gimp as well.
@@letsfixit1594 yeah I am not so fond of inkscape myself... I wondered what settings you used for the picture engraving... power speed etc
@@devlaminckx3382 The etching is done at 100mm per sec. and the power is a bit tricky as normally you dont have a indictor for the power setting but i have built a new control panel where i can set the power down to the millivolt, i will be posting a new video soon with all the new upgrades.
Let ́s Fix It would you consider building/selling your mod panel ? I have not gotten my k40 yet but can already tell your panel is desired
@@vahhone Hi Mike, do you mean just the acrylic face plate or the complete panel with everything installed with a wiring loom?
Looking for someone in the New England region with K40 experience. Is that you?
Sorry, I live in Europe.
I have one in Framingham, MA. May I help you Martha?
The best idea for that fan is to throw it away and buy a much better one. That thing is garbage and even when sealed up it doesn't work well plus you block access to your tube. I 3D printed a 4-inch port that I put where the fan would go and ran it to an inline exhaust fan I bought on Amazon. SOOO much better fume extraction.
Shooting a 40 w laser against a white surface with the safety lid open is not the best and most safe idea. Be careful these laser damage your eyes and you don't even feel anything until it is too late.
Is that your first project on that table ? You just ruined it.
?
"typical Chinese" Yeah nah... I'm out. You bought cheap shit. It doesn't matter where it was made. It's low quality because it was cheap. Buy an expensive Chinese laser and the quality is much higher than even Australian manufactured lasers.
I'll never understand why someone spends time to edit the video and ignore the audio completely.
Because of people like you that try to fix all the mistakes the manufacture engineers made, the factory will never make an effort to correct them.
You think the Chinese are going to miraculously start making their products better if people complain? lol. People like @Let ́s Fix It are the reason we can learn how to fix things ourselves; not everything has to be done for you. It's a skill. Be grateful a great video was made to help, not just whinge about what they received.
@@vb2995 You don't waste your money buying something new only to fix it. It should world perfectly out of the box. If you want to tinker than build one from scratch.
@@Bobster986 No shit, which is why you avoid cheap Chinese if you want quality. They are the definition of quantity over quality. People also learn while doing alterations. If you want to tinker, build one from scratch.. that's ridiculous. That's literally two different hobbies right there. If you want to complain about how humans learn, stay in your church.