40W Chinese Laser Cutter: Review, Setup, Use - Ec-Projects

[@faramarzsadeghifard4490]

Thank you so much for mentioning that we need to put glasses on or close the lid ! you came back and added this to your video in writing ! and its really helpful because sometimes people just dont watch the whole thing ! but with that pops up! helps! it happened to me! i just got the laser... but now! i will be careful! thank you so much for great explanations you did! good job!

[@trubblesiriahrenn751]

Excellent information. Retired Machinist, USing a USCutter MH721 to do Siser HTV and Oracal 651 to do custom work at car shows. Had been thinking about adding an engraver to line up... You convinced me. Thanks

[@jtopcatz]

I've been considering buying one of these. This is the best and most comprehensive video I've seen. I knew nothing about this machine and now I feel confident in my decision making. Thank you for a great tutorial.

[@John-of5sh]

Well, this video is going on 5 years old and the tips & information you gave is just as pertinent now as it was when you did this video. Thank you for taking time to make this video! I am looking at getting an Orion Motor Tech 40 w currently and most of the machine looks identical to the laser cutter you used. Even the paint. Again, Thank You Sir for taking time to do this video and the attention to detail you went through. I feel like I should be able to get mine up and running with minimal problems thanks to the instructions you provided! Regards, John Archer

[@ashjamieson]

This guy does a great job of explaining all facets of usage of this cutter = good and not so good. I found it VERY instructive!

[@EcProjects]

+Ash Jamieson Thank you!!

[@chanalex5295]

agsn your email address？

[@capnl]

Great video, clear explanation of the facts of laser engraving and cutting. TIP: If you want to prevent smoke or so 'damaging' your workpiece, cover the area to be engraved and/or cut, by a piece of painters tape (papertape)

[@gunnar_langemark]

Thanx a lot for this video instruction. Without this, I would have been a mess right now. I just finished the first adjustment of the mirrors (not perfect) and made the first test engraving. I only have very little experince using a laser cutter/engraver - so when I realized that the instructions were so rudimentary, I almost panicked. But you sure saved my day. I'm happy now. I need to fine adjust, and to find out how to focus the beam properly (distance to the object) - that's just some fiddling, so I don't mind. I know some people in the videos say, that it's not very important, but I don't agree - probably because I need to do fine details. You're my hero of the day. Best Gunnar Langemark Pens

[@GoldenShaolinNutz]

Wow! Ty for a truly in-depth review with all the pros and cons and everything in-between. was looking into this. This should be the video that comes with the machine. It like saying hey! this is what u got and things u should look out for to keep her safe and going for a long time. ty ty for the vid.

[@briancoonrod5062]

Excellent video! Just starting out messing with an engraver very similar to this one and have been a little frustrated with my trial projects. Your video answered all of my questions and the fact that the engraver can indeed "cut" through the acrylic, so I don't have to try and manually cut it and try to get it square. Thanks!!!

[@boso401]

hey, since you done such a wonderful video, I am going to give you a tip, There is a hole on the bottom of the case that is there for a purpose, if you take the plate where you place the item to be engraved (four screws) and put the printer on four bricks, place the laser head in front of the hole, you can use is as a bench saw by pressing the test button, and cut big pieces of anything, Investigate and get back to me I did it and it works, I am to lazy to make a video

[@kevinbrough6679]

Man, am I ever glad I watched your video (several times) prior to ordering and receiving my Chinese laser cutter/engraver! You were right on the mark with the fan/blower. Although my wires were soldered, the casing/insulation was simply pushed around the connection. I re-soldered and used shrink wrap covering. After I got the water system set up (used distilled water) I plugged it in, turned it on and........nothing. DOA. After looking around, I found that a terminal had fallen off of the on/off switch. Reconnected and turned it on and it homed X/Y just fine. Much to my surprise, I did not need to adjust my laser at all. Caught 1 break. My next challenge was that the Corel Draw 4x (yes, Corel Draw) would only install in Chinese and the website that had a downloadable version set off my virus software like crazy. Finally found LaserDRW 3 hidden inside of a folder labeled in Chinese. I would have had no idea where to begin to troubleshoot any of this if you had not put out such a fine video. Now on to learn the UI in the software. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@paulfornal]

Thank you, mine arrived today and i was freaking out about how to set it up etc.. excellent video much appreciated.

[@lunajustdiffrent471]

Paul Fornal how do you like it? I’m actually thinking about purchasing one real soon!

[@paulfornal]

@@lunajustdiffrent471 need to buy a few things before i can use it.. will hopefully try it out this weekend.

[@lunajustdiffrent471]

Paul Fornal awesome please let me know how your experience went. And what items where you missing?

[@paulfornal]

@@lunajustdiffrent471 don't get one unless youre preapred to spend 24 hours straight foucsin the laser... not sure if mine will cut yet.. but man a massive headache getting it set up... i had to steal parts from a dead machine as the mirror adjustment screws snapped off... its absolute rubbish... its hard work

[@paulfornal]

@@lunajustdiffrent471 it took a long time to set up the lasers... the internal construction isnt fixed.. its loose so it throws the laser off everytime it moves... gotta do a lot more work to it to make it better.. but saying all that.. i managed to cut a design i wanted quite easily... i chose to use K40 Whispered an alternative to the corel draw bundled with the machine... it was a frustrating experience to start with... but i think it will be much smoother sailing from now on.. if i had a choice to buy one again.. i would.

[@mirkomueller3412]

Fantastic review. Never thought of doing a ruler. even though you said already, its the imagination that limits you in creating the ruler example showed me that my imagination is much more limited than i thought it would be.

[@AkeelZarkanyArt]

This guy did really nice advertising for laser machines, more than the manufacture of these machines, well done, great vedio.

[@hkourtev]

great video! I was not sure whether this cutter is worth the money but now I am convinced

[@robbreckenridge1033]

Maybe wire a safety switch. If you open the top it shuts off the laser. Great video, thanks for uploading.

[@billmckessy1930]

This video sets the bar for Chinese low cost fabrication tours. I wish should would do one for the 3040CNC.

[@ElGatoLoco698]

I've always wanted to make a lighted sign with one of these. I like the way LED's illuminate only the engraved portions of acrylic.

[@EcProjects]

***** Yeah it looks awesome.. I haven't tried to make one yet actually :)

[@amilano]

I've solved !!! The solution is finding the right focus ... it's 5cm NOT from the end of the nozzle, but 5 cm from the LENS inside it ! Now I cut 3 or 4 mm acrilic with one pass and a perfect and fine line

[@minskmade]

thank you for tkaking the time to do this video....whats the thickest material you have cut with it?

[@barryparker2263]

EcProjects Hi, I'm looking at one of these and wanted to know if it can engrave depth into wood effectively, say about 1mm? Also, how is the resolution? Does it get the level of resolution listed on the specs? Thanks.

[@amywelch5248]

great video...wondering if it would engrave on the back of a mirror so i could etch the out lines out.....thank you great video

[@konstantinoskatomeris3851]

very good video!!! it cuts plywood 2mm and balsa with out burning? thank you

[@codebeat4192]

Really clear explanation of all the bits and examples. Great video!

[@nepravednoopravdan]

Verry good review, one of best i see on YT. Dont need this Device but i learn much about it. Greatings from Europe.

[@zaprodk]

A glass-laser tube like yours will have a finite life, used or not. The epoxied-on end-mirrors will let in oxygen over time, which will dilute the gas-mixture, rendering you with a tube that does not ignite anymore (The gas mixture in the tube is below atmospheric pressure). This happens over a set amount of time, so there is no "saving" the tube unfortunately. This is also a reason for not buing a spare tube and putting it on the shelf - when you may need it, it will be dead.

[@DatMilu2K]

@@RF-yh3qh spending lots of money

[@tomsoki5738]

This isn’t entirely true, if you keep the laser under 25mA it will extend the life significantly as long as you have a tube that is made properly

[@jeromeday2388]

Hi again after updating the comments list a reading a lot of the comments i understand we are not using same software. Your Videos are clear and precise. This with easy to follow instructions, much kudos. Maybe another reader with my set up can help as well. Again thanks for the great video.

[@HeiderSati]

Great video, thanks a million for your time making it, very simple to understand and practical.

[@exaMAB]

acetone works fine for me, never had trouble with the acrylic cracking.

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

Excellent reivew, thank you. Thumbs up and subscribed :) Do you think it would cut through 5mm acrylic at full power and a slow speed ?

[@EcProjects]

+Gary McKinnon Thanks, yes it cuts 5 mm at around 8ish mm/s

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

Great cheers.

[@icantfixit]

A well made and informative video, all I need now is a job so I can afford to get one. Thank-you for making this video.

[@MyBigThing2010]

You can also repair imperfections with quick licks off a flame or torch head.. Propane not map gas...

[@USMiner]

Is this laser powerful enough to ablate a small surface of a rock like granite or marble? I'm wondering if it could be used for spectroscopic purposes in that way.

[@kimmiesrhythms]

thank you so much for sharing. this has been so helpful. Im going to be using this same chinese laser cutter for the first time and was clueless on all of this.

[@neonfish0002]

Fantastic video, very informative on all aspects of this machine. Thank you for taking the time to make this!

[@stevensmith1549]

Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to put this up.

[@EcProjects]

Steven Smith Thanks !

[@intriq8]

RE protective film. I find it necessary to apply a protective film in engraving operations, to protect the adjacent material surface. Acrylic clouds, and mdf/ply gets burnt black sticky glue deposits. Polishing/sanding is additional labour to be avoided, especially if the materials start pristine, so why not use a protective film/paper? were you unable to engrave though the protective film? While not an optimal mask material, I find that engraving through cello tape works OK.

[@abhishekfb]

Such cool and composed guy. So sensible. Great video.

[@miraculix9103]

Thanks man. How do you know the remaining cabeling inside the machine which you cant see isn't done likewise criminal?

[@zulhisyammohamad1738]

Good video !

[@thomasmller4420]

Very helpful! Thanks for taking the time to make the video.

[@olivier4748]

Thanks a lot !!! I was really lost with this machine and you really illuminate me !!

[@colincox6655]

Very good. Succinct information delivered in a clear, understandable manner. Thank you.

[@Simoron]

Hej ... Fin Video ... Kan du som sådan anbefale maskinen til en lille produktion af acryl logos ?

[@Serenityindailylife]

Shouldnt you start with all the mirrors at the top left so you can get a course adjustment? If its aligned there you can then move out one axis at a time making sure there is no axis drift?

[@chriscampbell9015]

Great video. Definitely wear glasses if you have the door open operating the laser (can anyone say instant blindness). Also, the smoke from most of this stuff contains chemical nasties so make sure to vent well (unless you want cancer). Don't forget the fire extinguisher. You won't have time to go buy one if you need it. Make sure it is grounded (high voltage AC and water don't mix well). Other than that, lasers are cool and fun. I have about 50 lasers where I work and have used them all (up to 1000 watts). This one was more of a toy for home.

[@novianandrian]

Hello, can this machine cut stainless steel metal sheet, or at least do some engraving on it? Thanks

[@zengyuchen]

For 40w, the power is too low to do it. Cut or engrave on metals, Choose fiber laser ones. The 40w only makes sense on plywood, acrylic

[@tomsoki5738]

It can engrave carbon steel if you do electrolysis on it after and coat it in another metal

[@sofiitim]

Thank you for the video!!! Can this laser cut fabrics? I'm looking for the one to cut Lycra

[@Edubarca46]

Nice machine and excellent video, One question. I suppose it cuts balsawood sheets for model airplanes. Am I correct? Do you think it could cut up to 1 cm think balsa sheets?

[@walterhumphreys206]

Great review. Will it cut a sea shell?

[@Rocky-sy9zt]

WOW! Great video with excellent detail, thank you. I've been thinking about getting one of these but wasn't sure, think it's worth a try.

[@billybob291]

Nice review. It looks like when you post a good review on youtube everyone tries to use you as some kind of product support hotline!

[@craigraper9613]

Have you tried engraving like round wooden ink pens like turned on a lathe and if so how did it handle the rounded surface? Thanks

[@thecueshop2210]

Great Instructions! Will LaserDRW work with my older machine ? Thanks Jim

[@abdulrahmanalrasheed5604]

Hi There Thank you very much for the great video.. I would like to ask if i can upload photos to this machine ? any idea about the laser lifetime ? Thank you again

[@fedeyoutub]

thanks , i need this video,. if you use little bit less engrave thickness, cutting is more fast ? and engrave precision is better ?

[@RobinsonHooi]

good video! how should i know if the CO2 deplete?

[@rabit29]

i got one like this from ebay and it worked fine for 2 days but now the laser will not work is there any thing i can do

[@Sidabra24]

I like you 3D printer from scratch project and I really like this pretty well explained laser cutter setup and review. I would really like to see more projects with laser cutter as well as 3D printer. More on the setup side like speed, power and other settings.

[@EcProjects]

Sidabra24.com Thank you.. :) I'll try and include some of that in the next videos if I have to use them.. :)

[@timne0]

Excellent video, thank you very much. You covered many things I woudn't have thought about. My cutter didn't even come with a manual. We're thinking of converting it to run on RAMPS 1.4.

[@c01000100]

Quite a long video. I'd say it's worth the wait though. Thanks. Answered most of my pre-buyer questions.

[@bizzy423]

Do you use a dedicated ground for your laser tube? Do you think that is necessary?

[@hanssolo291]

This machine can engrave anodized aluminium? Thanks good video

[@v_studio_]

Hi, thanks for the video. Whats materials have you cut with this machine?

[@EcProjects]

Vanessa Gallardo I only tried cutting acrylic and plywood. and engraving glass and anodized aluminium as well.

[@jeromeday225]

Hi, great video, learned a lot from it. what do you do when you get need usb key. i do have thump drive pluged in that came with unit.

[@Tricknologyinc]

Can this machine cut aluminum, brass, copper, & stainless foil? Would inking the foil material surface make that easier?

[@sandrarabelo138]

Good night friend, I need your generosity. I have a machine like this, but I lost the installation program and drivers. Could you give me a link where I could download it? Thanks in advance.

[@ShadowVFX]

This video was incredibly useful. Thank you very much for the time you spent to make it. Is there a forum you would recommend? Preferably a place where people are sharing their settings for cutting different materials in various thicknesses? I think that would be a very handy reference.

[@owpeterj]

Checked my wiring - all is fine but glad you showed the dangerous wiring on yours. and glad I checked mine ( just received). The device id and model number would've hit me tommorow but you fixed all that and I did likewise. Thanks - near 4 years ago I saw Mine is very similar but the extractor is the same situation only with proper wiring connections.! Tak for vid (på engelsk - !) :-)

[@crystalboza8950]

How thick of a material will it cut through. I want to use plywood 1/4 inch boards. Will it cut through this?

[@wepa1220]

have you tried thermark on metals with this engraver?

[@lb5767]

Thank you for such an informative video, these things come with almost NO instructions... I just purchased one and I'm having a heak of a time aligning my laser.. Your video is the best step by step on how to do that ( thanks again!) BUT unfortunately the problem in having is when it's aligned on shot one at the Y, when I move it up towards the laser, it's a little high, then when I adjust that to center, when I move it back down I'm low.. It's like I'm going in circles!! Any tips would be SOO appreciated sir. Thank you again.

[@EcProjects]

+L b Hmm, if it does not hit center, it could be the laser tube that is either tilted to one side (or up / down) or offset from the XY plane. You should still be able to get it to hit the same spot, but maybe offset a bit from center. It still runs, with small offset from center but of course it's best to get it perfectly in center :) I think mine is about 1 - 2 mm off from center, but the beam always hits the same spot.

[@xenavideodungeon]

I'm considering buying one of these and am doing some research. Is there a way to modify the work area to make it larger than 20x30cm?

[@alexfarley4460]

I hear that you can use tap as a cover mask to keep the smoke scaring from happening on the acrylic parts.

[@williamproposki67]

What kind of tape?

[@alexfarley4460]

William Proposki - regular painters tape works great

[@jmriwok]

Hello thanks for your very good video. Please can you tell me if I can engrave in a bamboo steak since it is curve? Thanks

[@EcProjects]

Jose Manuel Reyes Galvan Hi, you are welcome :) I haven't tried bamboo, but it works okay for pens and other stuff. You just have to take the curve into a count when making the design, else it will look a bit distorted :)

[@wduraes]

Excellent step-by-step video. thanks for taking the time to create such a great resource to others!

[@joseph_hertrich1038]

? Can that fume removal hood can be removed non-destructively or has it been spot-welded inside the case? I need to check out its airflow. This is a cool cooling topic. I just received the Micro Laser and would like to remove that hood, trim it back aa couple of cm and replace it? Is itt possible?

[@cr6925]

Superb review, really informative and concise. I've been toying with the idea of purchasing one of these. Thank you for taking the time to put this together, you now have another subscriber :-)

[@harleyswenson5402]

@Leandra Harris yes you could

[@watahyahknow]

@Leandra Harris it cannot cut metal

[@pumayaventures3478]

Is the pen drive a software for the machine or communication?

[@CharlieEdjmin]

Thank you very much for sharing this information with us. I was wondering if you knew the number of hours the laser will last?

[@EcProjects]

CharlieEdjmin Nope sorry.. mine still works fine !

[@PoweredByRedstonecom]

Thanks for making this. I decided to buy one of these cuttters after watching this.

[@EcProjects]

Powered By Redstone You are welcome.. I hope you will have fun with it ! :)

[@christopherrett5329]

Thanks for the great review/help! My machine works great. Cutting is 100 times faster than etching. Can you think of something that I am doing wrong? Thanks again!

[@dearankvv]

hey nice vid, should be 80% always i want to cut something?

[@highviewaerial]

Thanks for the excellent video, its really helped me. I have an issue when cutting an oval or circle similar to the one you did, when the laser reaches the top, bottom and sides it speeds up slightly and so doesn't cut at the same rate, is there a way to stop this? Thank you in advance.

[@AdmiralKrang]

How well does it work engraving and cutting wood? Any idea how thick of wood it might be able to cut?

[@EcProjects]

Dan Benson I haven't done much wood.. I did some "name-tags" in 2.5 mm plywood and they turned out very nicely. I think you will need compressed air for cutting wood much thicker than what I did, but I haven't tried myself..

[@igorlyakhovich170]

hello great review of this mlaser cutter... can i transfer images from in PDF format to this cutter?? thanks

[@EcProjects]

Igor Lyakhovich Thank you.. Mine doesn't take PDF, but you can convert them to JPG for free on the internet if you don't have a program for it :)

[@igorlyakhovich170]

Cool thanks

[@percezionivisivesrl2886]

sorry for the polycarbonate or other materials which is the max thickness that can cut?

[@MyKidOverThere]

Hey, man. Great vid. Just bought a similar laser and this video is really informative. Helped me out a lot on figuring out how to align the mirrors

[@cristobalarriagada5448]

Hey Thanks for the video, It was very usefull, Do you know what`s the optimal distance of the cutting head to whatever object you want to cut? thanks !

[@AnnalystB]

Hello. Can I mark rocker switches with this machine? I need the marking option to work with rocker switches. Regards.

[@gregmcdonald5986]

I'm looking at these lasers to engrave stone. I've been told 40w will be enough power. I'd like to ask if you can remove the bottom to set the machine directly on a piece of stone. Or maybe cut a hole out of the bottom.... what do you think?

[@MrTabs64]

Hello EcProjects What thickness of wood and plastics can this cut through ? Can any sort of plastic sheet be used ? Thank You

[@buzz4095]

Will you be trying air assist ?

[@martinbankjorgensen]

fedt projekt! hvad gav du for moms, told osv på maskinen??

[@importsrd]

thanks for the video is really informative, i did bought one but everytime i try no install the sofware in my pc my anti-virus said it has a trojan. did you get same issue?

[@EcProjects]

+importsrd Nope, I didn't get any warnings..

[@rayvenstudios7967]

Hi. Wondering if you could help me. Iv recently bought the same model as yours and installed the software that came with it. Currently using LaserDRW. When I draw my design lets say an oval 50mm wide and 30 mm high, when I tell it o engrave it engraves 50mm wide then only 9mm high, looks like the design comes out squished. Iv basically followed all your settings step by step to receive the same results as you do. So I get the same results except the height comes out squished. I even played threw your video a few times to have a look at your settings and from what I can see I have adjusted all of mine to the same.

[@hitandrepair]

Just subscribed because you had a video on the same laser cutter ive been looking at on ebay. I want this thing so bad now. Nice sorts of electronics videos as well i see! :)

[@EcProjects]

After Hours Tv & Pc repair Thank you ! :)

[@hitandrepair]

xianglei shi, Ive just bought one off ebay. Sorry you are to late.

[@zenobibonsai]

How long does the tube last i wonder? is it cost effective to replace the tube when it goes? great video well demonstrated too :)

[@titoproud]

Hi, with this machine would you be able to make an embosser seal? thanks!

[@IntenseDarknessable]

I have a practically the same laser engraver, but for some reason, when I engrave it cuts too deep and sometimes melt through the whole acrylic glass. Any tips on what I do wrong? I run it a 20Watt and, seemingly, same settings as you.