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CDB CNC - Jtech 2.8w Laser, Working once again!

Brent Dowell

Brent Dowell

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Jealous of all the laser work I've seen here lately, so decided to add one to the CDB CNC.

I had an old jtech photonics 2.8w laser laying around. I decided instead of rushing out to buy a new one, I should get this one working as a test bed and see if I need an upgrade later.

So drew up a quick detachable laser mount, ran some cables, added some quick connects and one reversing of a connection later, I've got it running!

Now to figure out how to focus it and use it again. lol.


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Spoke too soon. It 'works', but it does not work very well. I remember last time I used it thinking that it was really kind of running out of steam.

Time to get a new laser. Now I just need to figure out what to get. So many diode lasers out there and I'm sure some of them are over rated and over priced.
 
Brent Dowell said:
Spoke too soon. It 'works', but it does not work very well. I remember last time I used it thinking that it was really kind of running out of steam.

Time to get a new laser. Now I just need to figure out what to get. So many diode lasers out there and I'm sure some of them are over rated and over priced.
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I love my Atezr. You can get the 5 watt for $140. including the power supply. on the other hand mine a 40 watts more power is better.
 
you might want to think about getting a small aquarium air pump and use it for air assist, I see the unit you got has a fitting for that purpose, it will make the unit last longer and will give you cleaner engraving. BTW unless I am doing I have the power down to 20 -30 % power. I only do higher power if I an cutting or engraving on metal.
 
Good advice. I've got an aquarium pump I use for my K40 I could use for this. Also have a 12 volt valve. Was thinking of just hooking it up to my shop Air Compressor with the pressure dialed way down.

Worked on adding a bracket to mount a mister attachment for doing aluminum. Supposedly you can mist with isopropyl alcohol and it doesn't really make too big of a mess, but helps with ejecting the chips and cooling the bit. I figure I can use that same hose to connect to the laser when using that.

Going to have to redo my control panel though I think. I have switches for coolant, vacuum, and mister. Think I need to add a switch for turning the laser on and off. I might want to add buttons for cycle start, feed hold and stop too.

Good think I just ordered 16 rolls of filament, lol.

I'm just hoping I can engrave faster than the old 2.8watt unit did. I'm pretty sure I remember Jtech had some issues with 2.8watt units around the time I ordered that one and is why it didn't last long. I had the wattage on that dialed back to what was a supposedly safe level but I guess these diodes don't last forever. I did use the heck out of that little unit though.
 
from what I have read the biggest problem with the higher wattage laser is burning out the lens. I have two spares so I can avoid down time. There's a company called Hemsley out of England that who make an upgraded lends that I got them from. They come highly recommended, there cheap only 3 or 4 bucks each.
 
Don Baer said:
from what I have read the biggest problem with the higher wattage laser is burning out the lens. I have two spares so I can avoid down time. There's a company called Hemsley out of England that who make an upgraded lends that I got them from. They come highly recommended, there cheap only 3 or 4 bucks each.
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Excellent. I'll check those out. Thanks!
 
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