DIY 1000W Fiber Laser Cutter Part 1: Project Introduction

If you want to build your own fiber laser cutter, join our Patreon group: / diyfiberlaser
* UPDATE MAY 2024: I have an updated, better, and cheaper design... also check out this video series: • DIY Fiber Laser Cutter... *
I've been working on building this DIY 1000W fiber laser cutter for the past 6 months and I've finally reached the stage where I've begun successfully making test cuts with the machine. Because I could not find any guides on the internet to help me with the build, I am going to create a series of videos sharing what I've learned during the process. Please understand that I am a novice on the subject, and that fiber lasers can be very dangerous, if you are going to build or use a laser, please do your own research and understand the safety risks!
My website: www.id3ntitycrisis.com
My design portfolio: www.id3ntitycrisis.com/portfolio

[@diyfiberlaser]

* UPDATE MAY 2024: I have an updated, better, and cheaper design...also check out this video series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d32QoqCBj92mgpY * I'm getting a lot of comments about the gas prices and I really appreciate everyones feedback. I should have gone into a little more detail in the video...the prices I listed are to fill 300 cu/ft bottles at Airgas. I purchased their Ultra High Purity rated gasses, because it was the only option that they offered that met the requirements recommended by RayTools (the laser head manufacturer) of 99.95% purity,

[@patrickd9551]

Yeah, that high purity stuff is hella expensive. But if compressed air is an option, then "low purity" compressed gasses are surely an option. Compared to just air, those cheap gases are already as pure as you can get them. Also looking forward to seeing the buildseries and breakdown. Subbed.

[@DimensionMachine]

If you are cutting a bunch also consider a liquidpack nitrogen bottle. prob going to cost over a grand to get one there, but then the cost of the actual gas it produces will be way way cheaper in the long run. And as others have said the 30 or less per bottle nitrogen is what most people use from what I have seen. Very impressive build!

[@tullgutten]

Can you use Argon instead? It is a cheap welding gas. Think we get about the same size bottle here with a refill price about 150-250 usd.

[@TheJuicyBurger]

What speed did you cut the 1/4" steel at?

[@diyfiberlaser]

@@TheJuicyBurger 17mm/s

[@StuffMadeHere]

Never seen anyone build one of these before. The results look awesome. One thing to consider if you need more power and you’re not planning to run it 24/7 is a gas generator. For a couple grand you should be able to find a high enough power inverter generator that can run anything you need. Another option specifically regarding the air compressor is a gas powered compressor that you fire up when you’re going to cut. You can get really high CFM ones, especially if go up to a diesel unit. The essential craftsman does this for his air hammer which is super air hungry.

[@kevinm413]

I can't be the only one a little excited that Shane is now thinking about fiber lasers..

[@diyfiberlaser]

Thank you Sir! I never thought about a gas generator, but I have been keeping an eye on Marketplace for a used gas powered compressor…I just picked up a used air dryer tonight. BTW, I’m a little star-struck…I have to publicly admit that you are my KZbin hero!!! 😃

[@ericapelz260]

@@diyfiberlaser I work with big air compressors for scientific work as part of my job. Keep in mind that the CFM of a compressor decreases as pressure increases. Be cautious of large piston compressors, that's a lot of mass moving, and they tend to have vibration problems, especially the oilless ones (I have a $20K compressor offline atm because it's trying to rip itself apart). Scroll compressors are quiet and good to 120 psi or so. Compressors with threaded inlets can be used in series, so one kicks you to 100 PSI, the next bumps you up to 200, etc. The size of the tank only affects the time between compressor runs. Old tanks that have sat with water in the bottom can rupture and kill people, so be cautious of used tanks (also drain your tank daily!). Even a modestly sized tank rupturing at 200 PSI will take the walls out of that building. Some years ago, I was running a small tabletop sand blaster in my garage. To get the pressure and volume of air I needed, I ran three small 120-volt compressors in parallel. The setup was vastly cheaper than a single large compressor; you can save space by plumbing multiple pumps into a single tank. Also, there are places that sell used scientific equipment; you could look for a used nitrogen generator. IMHO gas fueled air compressors are a massive PITA. you have far more maintenance, they tend to be loud, and you have the concern of the exhaust being drawn into the intake and brought into your shop with a whole lot of moisture. You can easily overload a dryer.

[@longshot726]

@@diyfiberlaser Look at something like a Motor Guard filter to go along with the air drier. The air drier will remove moisture but won't help much with removing contaminants and used gas compressors aren't treated very nice during their life. Also, look for a stationary gas air compressor instead of a wheel barrow style since they will provide more CFM due to having larger pumps.

[@andy123law]

Not sure if you can get a big enough gas generator (Nitrogen) that would be able to keep up with the power available in a home shop. I have a nitrogen generator system and it costs about the same as the laser. It has not 1 but 2 compressors! A standard 11kw 3 phase 10bar atlas copco air compressor and a high pressure 200bar booster compressor to fill 4x 50l 200bar cylinders. I can out run this system when cutting 2mm stainless steel. The 1kw fibre laser and nitrogen system probably pull 30kw 400v 3 phase at full power. I would try to find a cheaper source of bottled nitrogen or try a high pressure dive compressor and fill several cylinders when the laser is off and cut on air. Adjust your laser parameters to fine tune the results 👍

[@SomewhatAbnormal]

This is one of the most frightening DIY builds I’ve seen. I can’t wait to see more!

[@ThingEngineer]

@@dav1dsm1ththe laser ships attached to a shark. That’s the hard part, removing said shark!

[@Kentboy05]

Spending 15 grand for something you don't really know is going to work is scary DIY territory. Im very impressed tho

[@diyfiberlaser]

It has been a little unnerving, but through an unexpected chain of events, I ended up with 15K and about 85% confidence that I could figure it out, so I decided to take one for the team...that was the easy part...convincing my wife was the real challenge! : )

[@scalebuilder_sweden]

Impressive!! I have been searching for a “desk top” fiber laser, but it seams very hard to find for acceptable money. Thanks for sharing. 15’ $ is still out of my budget.

[@jeppelysebjerg8075]

Well, if something didn’t work, you fix it ?

[@kadirilkimen]

Kudos! It was an unknown territory for 99% of DIY builders.

[@Spirit532]

For the record, Eagle Pair goggles, and specifically those you have, are completely unsafe and don't provide any significant protection at 1064nm. Me and a few colleagues tested this on industrial spectrophotometers designed for this purpose(testing coatings/film transmission), and they transmit as much as 8% of light where they should be transmitting 0.0000001% Get a pair for 800-1100nm @ OD6 or higher, from any of the following brands: Kentek, Lasertack, Thorlabs, Honeywell, Glendale, Sperian, Newport/MKS, Edmund Optics, Laservision/Uvex, Laserglow, NoIR (LaserShield). As others pointed out, you are being straight up *gouged* for gas price. You don't need UHP, refilling a 40L nitrogen bottle costs me $15, oxygen $45. Both at regular technical purity, 99.95%. Even 95% reject garbage grade will work perfectly fine for cutting. Also, when opening the gas cylinder, you want to open the valve at least halfway, otherwise you'll be wearing the gasket through way more quickly and can cause leaks(high pressure leaks are scary). If you have space and power, you could also try replacing the oxygen supply with a small army of oxygen concentrators. They're basically free in the US after they become no longer fit for medical uses, and I reckon you could get away with around 4-6 units running in parallel, through a tiny air compressor on their output to bring up the pressure. They'll also provide nitrogen(well, oxygen-free air) out the reject port.

[@diyfiberlaser]

Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge! The glasses I have are FreeMascot (maybe it's rebrand? amzn.to/3GVoWEE) they say they're OD8 800nm-1100nm, but I will check out some of the other brands you listed. And thanks, I will get cheaper gas next time

[@Spirit532]

@@diyfiberlaser FreeMascot is just garbage, worse than Eagle Pair. Whatever they say is irrelevant. Anything from Amazon, eBay, Wish, and any other site besides official distributors of the brands I mentioned is completely unsafe and you should not buy from them.

[@diyfiberlaser]

@@Spirit532 OK, thanks for preserving my eyes!

[@joat_mon]

Good idea about the oxygen concentrators. An Oilless air compressor is a must.

[@tedzbug07]

@@diyfiberlaser I also have three pairs of the freemascot... Curious about them as well

[@JeremyFieldingSr]

I have been thinking about this for a very long time. Thank you for taking the time to create a video about it.

[@diyfiberlaser]

Going to add one to your robot arm? 😉

[@JeremyFieldingSr]

@@diyfiberlaser actually yes LOL

[@ddade11]

Watching every DIY laser cutting machine videos I can find and this is great. While outside of my budget, I'm hopeful you share your gantry build process. This is going to be 90% universal to any CNC machine and worth watching. And yes, knowing more about fiber lasers will leave that itch in the back of my mind for a follow up build.

[@CNCDude]

WOAH! This is going to open up a trillion doors to us geeks and makers!I have always wanted to have an actual metal cutting laser but considering their steep price, had never been an option. Now it is! Thanks for making it happen and more importantly documenting it so well! Looking forward to the other videos.

[@Jordan-lm1df]

Love seeing builds like this! Awesome project, can't wait to see where it goes!

[@RyanHenrie999]

I attempted to do this 2 years ago, but like you when I researched other DIY projects, I found nothing. So excited to watch this.

[@mp6756]

Omg this is a great step forward for the fiber curious amongst us. Thanks for taking the step for the rest of us.

[@boko3155]

I've been so excited to see someone build one and I can't wait to watch this!

[@KyrychenkoAnton]

Wow, finally somebody did this, can't wait for next episodes!

[@BaptisteMorel-di3hh]

Hello, I'm a French ironworker and I've been looking for this kind of video for months. I can't wait for the next ones to build mine!!!

[@ElectroMechanical]

I've never seen this done before as a DIY project and I've spent lots of time looking. Very cool!

[@paulchapman524]

Awesome. I am so looking forward to the build series. Liking your presentation so far and it looks like you have done a well thought out and professional job. Definitely something I can see myself investing time and $$$ into.

[@ashesman1]

Thanks. I built a sturdy cnc plasma table with the intention of having laser as an option too. This gave a good insight into what would be required to fit a laser.

[@fredbloggs4829]

Coolest DIY project on KZbin by far!

[@MikeyRoofffff]

Awesome build. Great to see someone tackle a project others said was too complicated!

[@funnylife7454]

You are the first person to build a Faber laser on KZbin congrats my friend And the precision of this machine is just amazing

[@Nessy..]

Congratulations on successfully building your DIY 1000W fiber laser cutter! It's great that you are willing to share your experience and knowledge by creating a series of videos to help others who may be interested in building a similar machine. It is important to note that fiber lasers can be dangerous, so it's important to do your own research and take proper safety precautions when building or using a laser.

[@skrebneveugene5918]

Finally! I was searching for this content all my life!!!

[@abdacnc3969]

This is really a great adventure ,, never seen before , im glad to see you satisfied

[@hart-lessperformance8653]

Thank you. I am really looking forward to learning from your project. I have a small plasma table, but really want a laser setup for clean cuts for motorsports parts. The frame/basic machine controls are easy for me, but I've never touched a laser so that setup is new. I also appreciate you sharing the costs so there's resonable expectation if any of us follow suite and build a similar setup.

[@peterxyz3541]

Thanks!!! I’m just building a 90w wood cutter. Thanks for using the ball screw

[@zpbeats3938]

After the first 15 seconds of this video I want to build one NOW!! Need this!!

[@ChadsCustomCreations]

Extremely impressive thank you for sharing this looking forward to seeing more.

[@midwestcyberpunk]

Thanks for posting this. I had no idea how "inexpensive" fiber lasers could be. I'm in the middle of a cnc plasma build but it wouldn't be too much work to swap it out for a fiber laser one day.

[@kiweekeith]

Brilliant vidclip, So well presented .....Thanks for sharing .... Best wishes to You and Yours for 2023 from Christchurch, New Zealand

[@Jeralddoerr]

Travis my friend...👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 You are my hero! I've wanted a Fiber Laser but ended up getting an Avid 8x10 CNC Router. My next project would be adding a fiber laser to it... You have inspired me greatly!!! My eyes will be glued to your next video like my 1st time watching Return Of The Jedi! Thank you! SUBSCRIBED.

[@twoguysoneworkshop8744]

Excellent introduction to a unique built! Thanks for sharing so many details already in the first video... really looking forward to the full series! Greetings from another maker from Germany.

[@thenerv37]

Super cool build!!! I can't wait to watch more

[@AERuffy]

well done video, amazingly detailed. Thanks for the prices this is something people hide.

[@ackbar8297]

You have some really awesome work into this. Keep it going, subscribed!

[@erikrummel6277]

Holy cow this thing is badass!!!!!! I just liked, subscribed, and shared it with a few CNC guys I know. I want to make one just like this!!!!! Amazing job Travis!!!!

[@libor-vitek]

Looking forwards to next part. Awesome job!

[@jotaefearango]

Congratulations great job. good inspiration for many people like me. Thanks.

[@Sarveshdd1]

Hi Travis! Your build looks awesome. I built a DIY CO2 laser about 3 years back and I didn't find anything regarding fiber laser back then also, excited about your series 👌🏻

[@sandorkonya]

I would give 5 thumbs up if i could! This is a DIY project i was waiting for like for several years now =) thank you for showing!

[@Lea-ww9hf]

OMG! Awesome project!! I love it! I work with a fiber laser machine, and I always asked me how to DIY one! Lets goo!!!

[@kitatit]

Now we are talkin! Very impressed! Subscribed from Perth Australia✊

[@lilow3378]

I'm so impressed with what you have achieved here. I've been working on one on a larger scale, more industrial. You are right, there is not much info for the beginner into this. Looked at all the Ruida / Cypcut systems, need a PC. Plus it is a very old Windows system. So sorting something from the start along the lines with the Masso G3 with the new Plasma start configuration. This is also working with a LPC-PLUS6 Fibre Laser power source controller. Plus with my own THC with the LFS-AM-T43-AP01. This capacitive sensor also works with the Masso DTHC. With the Masso G3 Plasma start configuration, it may be able to be done. I see you run a Masso touchscreen in the background. Cheers.

[@GBWM_CNC]

I was thinking about building such machine somewhere in the future! Subscribed!

[@electroayman]

This is a great video and I am looking forward to seeing what follows. Good pacing/information here.

[@FLQ309L]

Man this is what I've been looking for

[@systemG3000]

That power-up sequence at the end was pretty damn cool.

[@keithstrachan8091]

Hey Travis, Hi from Australia!! And all I can say is wow!! this is the definition of what "not being a sheep in the crowd" means. All the "critics" are quite happy to offer their opinions, keyboard warriors, where as your desire to move forward and do, well done mate!. Motion control has been there for decades, the mechanics and designs are a plenty - there are people out there who have made these DIY Fibre machines, they're just not confident enough, or care to put them up for the world to see and criticise. Budgets are the key ingredient to any project, and design choices based on available tech, or budget constraints. At the end, the only difference between a DIY and commercial machine, is support, and if you are the builder, you are the supporter, you don't have the overhead of having a technician on hand to take care of warranty. There are those who will argue that the quality of the machine... stop, quality is in the end result of the purpose of the tool. The logo that Travis just cut is beautiful and a high "quality" (costly) machine would do no better. Looking forward to the rest of your video series Travis, just subscribed.

[@andremostert344]

Well Said!

[@wickedprotos1937]

Holy Carp!!! That is great work!!!!

[@heyallenify]

Thanks for sharing this project! About the gasses, I don't know where you're getting your bottles filled, but I'd suggest calling around the welding supply houses, as neither of those gasses are particularly exotic, and are commonly available for various processes. Nitrogen is ~78% of the atmosphere, and not in any way in short supply. Oxygen is ~20% of the atmosphere, and again not a short supply issue. I usually use a nearby welding gas supply house for argon, argon/CO2, oxygen, acetylene, and nitrogen. My biggest cost savings on this was just checking around the stores and comparing prices. AirGas was always been one of the most expensive, as well as prone to trying to force bottle rental instead of purchased bottles.

[@norgtube]

I don't know how much of an effect it has on final quality but that gantry is HELLA flexy. Super interesting breakdown!

[@joshuacaylor881]

That is insane detail in such a small area

[@neophyte001]

Amazing work can’t wait to see more

[@rms540]

Great!!, I am working on my research for lasers, an i am looking for similar models, great to see it is possible!

[@Mattxjax45]

Been looking for info on this forever!!!!

[@evolutionsCNC]

Great DIY Built !! very impress with the size of the test cut you show at the end !! very precise

[@jonsaircond8520]

This is spectacular hats off bud.

[@AM-dn4lk]

Wow, your work is amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheMyEighties]

Impressive results!!! Thank you

[@PrashantPatil-fi6fx]

Thank you, exited for next part.

[@Eric-bh6ie]

Wow just wow!! Amazing work

[@MakingBoost]

The resolution is quite remarkable. Nice work.

[@snownfire]

This content is gold

[@ChrisS-oo6fl]

Like You, I have also have spent a few years regularly searching the internet for an example of this!!!!!! Please do a good job documenting this! Including links to the fiber components. Thank you for these videos!

[@ChrisS-oo6fl]

Focus on showing the assembly or a detailed trace/expo of the laser components. This is what makes your build unique and important to those of us who’ve wanted to attempt this build for awhile. The gantry and table build aren’t a big deal there’s easily a million tutorials that can be found by on KZbin alone posted almost weekly and plenty more on properly building a controller. Why did you chose to go with a “laser” controller? Couldn’t you just use Mach 3/4 or LinuxCNC with a traditional motion control card setup? Was there customs fees and did you need a broker for any of the laser components?

[@simonstergaard]

WOW, what a beast! Lol'ed so hard at the cat/dog flap exhaust port. Keep it up !

[@TylerHarney]

Someone FINALLY did it!

[@TimothyKNetherlands]

Was waiting for someone to do a diy. Hope to learn from you, thank you :)

[@NikitaLab]

Amazing content. Beautiful machine.

[@JulianMakes]

Brilliant ambition and result! Thanks

[@minskmade]

what an amazing build. i have diy built 4 cnc machines...plasma...router base and spindle based....great channel great work...

[@BrandonBurns1985]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!! $15,000 is still too much for most of us. I hope I get to see fiber lasers be cheap and handled like plasma cutters are today. I remember as a kid seeing and using the first very large plasma cutter and it was mind blowing. Now they have units so small and cheap it's crazy.

[@hardware4200]

Wow. Really cool I was basically bitten by the same laser bug. Looking forward to ur build bideos

[@evo-labs]

That's awesome! From experience building frames with aluminum profile I would say you need to go with a minimum of 2040 size for both weight (to help counter inertia) and frame rigidity.

[@ethankincaid9022]

Great video. Awesome content. Very curious to see this long term. You earned a new sub.

[@graykimchi]

I've been waiting on selling my PlasmaCAM DHC2 to get the money to make one of these. Thanks for posting this!

[@MethiasZa]

Man this is awesome. I’ve been working on building a mere CO2 laser (possibly 130w version, after that the prices go up fast) as a fiver is way out of my budget but this is just inspiring

[@TT-it9gg]

Thanks for sharing. Trying to do tthe same thing. Very helpful~

[@randomher089]

Dude! I*ve been looking to do the exact same thing! Please make your future videos as detailed as possible. I'm currently looking for buildings to build my new workshop and a fiber laser able to cut at least 2 mm aluminium is on the absolute top of my wishlist for the new shop. Can't wait to see your future videos. Instantly subscribed!

[@imTechBro]

This is exactly what I was looking for!

[@dfn808]

Dam, that's awesome! Just subscribed, I really wan to watch this build.

[@jasonh3109]

Hot damn!!!!! YES!!!! More please!!!!!!!! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@mikelauritsen553]

Mad props!🎉

[@jondavidmcnabb]

Excellent video!! Dude you a DYI makers dream!!!! More videos

[@antoninperbosc1532]

Very interesting thanks for sharing with us your hard work !

[@haytrvilleusa3696]

Very very impressive!!

[@lawrenceveinotte]

Great job, thanks for your effort.

[@ShafaqIftikhar-pw9ld]

Absolutely awesome!!!!!!

[@kantamochida2865]

Awesome job! I also created something similar with a used Raycus laser source and a Queenbee CNC and it cost me about 5000USD. The price drop of laser sources has been spectacular but still expensive for hobby use.

[@alexanderurezchenko6446]

Thanks for data sharing

[@JohnChuprun]

I've been wanting to make one of these, but doing the control logic myself. I've just always been apprehensive about it because you can't DIY the laser source, and those are real expensive as you explained. It's a lot to drop for a project, but the results looks worth it :)

[@ToxicSocietyTroll]

Great Scott it's a young Doc Brown!

[@aivkara]

Awesome build!

[@osamakhalaf6789]

This is a good video thank you for sharing this good information Waiting for more 👍👍

[@tesla500]

I was going to do this a couple of years ago, glad you actually went all the way! Awesome work here! I ended up buying a 1.5kW RECI laser source for this, but gave up when I found that you can buy a complete machine (at least right now, prices have dropped a lot) for about your budget plus shipping/duties. The laser source is now in a 3 in 1 handheld Weld/Cut/Clean system. Maybe build a laser welder next?

[@diyfiberlaser]

I was thinking fiber laser engraver next...but maybe next, next!?

[@simon9447]

Excellent! Loved the vid. Your production is good and I subbed of course. It was so interesting that I would have loved to have heard your description of booting it up. I think people love the detail, at least I do! Well done.

[@diyfiberlaser]

I’m editing the next couple videos and I think going forward I’m going to also post extended versions of the videos on Patreon for people interested in more of the technical details, as I am editing out lots of footage to keep them entertaining for the casual viewer too

[@experiverymental]

Been waiting for someone to make these videos, cnc side is easy but info on the fibre laser gear is harder to find cheers from new zealand!!

[@xpim3d]

Daaamn!! I’ll be following this!! 😂😂🖤

[@ryan_cowan]

Awesome! I've built a couple of CO2 laser cutters but I also want to cut metals. I've been waiting for someone to put up a video about making a fiber laser cutter before I make the plunge myself. Can't wait to see how you did it

[@hasger1941]

Very well built, superb project, have always wanted to put one of these together but the laser side of things was always too expensive and confusing.. 💯💯💯

[@georgef1176]

That’s so sick. I’m building a 5x10 plasma table right now. Laser would be cool.