Diode laser cutter engraver. Eye saver, air assist, and focuser

Inexpensive diode laser cutter engravers rarely come with a enclosure. This can be a safety hazard for your eyes. This is a simple trick that costs pennies and reduces the risk substantially. It also helps with laser focus and directing the air assist air to where it needs to be.
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[@hanswurst9972]

I am going with the enclosure. Also because of the stinky smoke. But I love your idea.

[@0Logan05]

Excellent!. Works great for on the fly containment and this really does help. I am Using until I get my enclosure finished… (Heck, I am no longer in any rush😂).. Mega Thanks for documenting, Maga Thanks for posting! Really, Rad-🤙🏻

[@Manticoreofbluebog]

Could you cut the disk out of a laser shielded acrylic? If so then you could have a more isolating shield and the transparency for people that want to be able to line up their cuts.

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

Sure, but you would have to do it by hand as the laser should not be able to cut it.

[@Manticoreofbluebog]

Fair point

[@PCBWay]

Incredibly informative tutorial, Ben 👍

[@OdinMakes]

interesting! I just started with using the laser dot for lining up my pieces. However I do like this idea!

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

I’m thinking the second iteration will be hand cut and made from laser safety plastic. Then you can still use the dot

[@nevzilla]

I like this, straight forward and effective. I looked at this and was like I wonder if printed this in resin and used blue-tac if it would work. Just need to squeeze the budget a bit for the laser and try it I guess.

[@GriddlockCosplay]

(If your shop is not a mess, then you are not working hard enough!) I'm one of those who need to be able to use the dot to line up my cuts/engraving. However, I keep my cutter with the rear facing the wall, where no one is ever going to be anyway.

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

Someone else had mentioned I should use some laser proof plastic as the disk. Now if you cut one out manually then you would still get the dot. and benefits of this system. Food for thought

[@GriddlockCosplay]

@@DreadMakerRoberts That makes a ton of sense, aside from then not having the original setup, which I suppose could be replaced.

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

@@GriddlockCosplay Ya the modules can be replaced and one just has to buy a new head. I have a couple FYI

[@nathanreed3302]

do you have a video on that cardboard bed? I'm interested in that

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

You bet, just a few episodes back! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHqUpaVvmcakh5Y

[@GreatChopps]

what Laser unit is that? looks the the lu2-4 LF

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

Yes it is

[@GreatChopps]

@@DreadMakerRoberts Perfect after seeing your videos It increased my want to buy one I started looking a year ago and just ordered a laser 2 with the sales that had from black Friday and cyber Monday with the extension kit to make the cutting area bigger with that laser super excited to start using it. Thank you for all you awesome help and tip videos' in all aspects of cosplay

[@thanemakes5377]

What nozzle are you using with your laser?

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

It came with the long focus laser. So it’s stock

[@tokagehideto]

I tried to use air assist after spending money and waiting a long time for a tube to arrive the damn thing reduced the power of my laser... So, no air assist for me.

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

I am gobsmacked if this is the case. I have been using lasers for 15+ years and not once did the air assist not help. I would be curious what air pump, nozzle and such you used.

[@andrecanis4894]

I saw a video (James Dean Designs) comparing different air assist methods from a hand held fan to low powered and higher powered pumps up to a full compressor. Strangely using a full compressor performed worse than all other methods, even worse than without air assist at all. It seems at some point too much air pressure is actually detrimental, or maybe it was the moisture or temperature of the air from the compressor.

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

@@andrecanis4894 yes that makes sense. When I was testing years ago on my Co2, after 5psi was pointless. I think now I should do a volume test to really narrow it down. I suspect then nozzle shape and size would be important too. I’ll need to find that video and see his testing. Thanks!

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

@@andrecanis4894 for those looking I believe it was this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5SsXqxjpN-UeNU , right Andre?

[@andrecanis4894]

@@DreadMakerRoberts Exactly, I wasn't sure about posting links in the comments.