DIY enclosed laser cutter on a budget #1 | the gantry!

[@crapparc]

I have no idea how I got here, but this young man who sounds like he learned speech patterns from a TV anchor sure knows his stuff. Consider me subscribed!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

I didn't realize I talk like that! (I don't even watch TV for that matter) 😂 I deliberately don't use a teleprompter so as not to appear too scripted, haha.. Either way thanks and welcome to the ride!

[@TeslaNick2]

He sounds like Borat. I can't work out where his accent is from.

[@Faisalw9]

I just found this excellent channel today, great personality and content. Keep it up, and it's going to be a hit

[@TheDistur]

I know the parts are cheaper than ever but I really like when someone makes a machine from scraps.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Yeah it's sad, back in the day there used to be a lot more people doing this but economics are ruining it... I'm feeling it myself, at some point it gets more worthwhile to just quickly buy the parts I need rather than spend five hours dismantling ewaste to get those resistors - five hours I could've spent working on the video... Currently I'm operating off a stock of parts I've spent my teenage years collecting, but haven't taken anything apart in a while :(((

[@aaamott]

Motorized z axis for a laser cutter/wngraver is a great idea. I saw an article a few years back where someone made many passes, lowering the laser a little bit with each pass, to get a 2.5w laser to cut much thicker wood than it could normally. Also, strong air assist can help you cut much thicker material.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

I don't know much about laser cutting, but heard the focal point is set to roughly the center of the sheet to be cut. What you describe sounds like a super smart solution to getting more cutting depth!

[@zodak9999b]

Wow, that gantry is moving smoothly! I'm definitely looking forward to the next update.

[@SamJantz]

the precision you get with just hand tools is inspiring. I need to slow my roll a bit on projects.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

I on the other hand, need to speed up! Precision is great until you reach the point where you don't get anything done because everything takes and eternity..

[@timmyalmroth]

I wanted to say I appreciate your videos very much. Honesty, positive mind, and thought through ideas. I'm always excited when there is a new video listed. Looking forward to see the laser in action, and what the future holds with your new bag of toys.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Glad you enjoy ✨

[@KyleKatarn145]

I kind of adore how scuffed and... imprecise (best word I can come up with but it's not entirely accurate) your process is. You just make what you make with what you have and I really like that!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

😃

[@cinarsinan]

Dear Eric Groslevin i need a friend like you :) what an awesome support

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Hey folks! Sorry this one took a bit longer, but at least I got a lot done! Edit: KZbin must've messed with the audio levels, on here the music bits seem obnoxously loud compared to my voice, which isn't the case in the fully rendered file on my computer :(

[@georgijsnovikovs]

Sounds fine actually. Don't worry too much about it. It is awesome to see you build stuff!

[@dirtdart81]

Carbide tipped circular saw blades go through aluminum just fine. Care is needed, but not so extreme as you made it out to be. Great project!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Thanks! Yeah, I didn't know what to expect going into it, so I played it safe, including when I wrote that script 😁 When I later cut the smaller tube I noticed I can feed much more aggressively without any issue

[@xenotrixx]

I am a simple man. If I see FreeCad, I give the video a like.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

I only recently learned FreeCAD, I used to use Sketchup 8 for the longest time because it's easier :p

[@CimboAkinci]

Looking forward to the enclosed corexy printer from those parts 😍

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Guess what I'm trying to figure out right now 😆

[@ZenMuff1n]

Wow. You can mechanize and automate for years with that kind of donation. Very generous and kind of Eric to do that. Loved the typewriter printer series and looking forward to what you can do with less limitations someday. It's good to have more tools to make projects swirling in your head a reality, but I did find your channel interesting because it didn't seem like yet another tutorial on how to make one of several popular printer variants by spending more money. :D

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Yes, incredibly kind! That single shipment easily dwarfed my previous stock of mechatronic parts I collected over a decade... No worries, I think my channel will always be on the low cost end of building stuff, not least because I enjoy it! If the basics get too accessible as the channel grows I'll likely just raise the bar and tackle bigger projects on the cheap (like maybe a mini-mill with those MGN20 rails Eric sent...) In any case I'll try to find a balance between using crap, and getting the right stuff for the most essential components so as not to have my DIY efforts derail to the same extent as in that 3D printer series anymore ;D

[@333donutboy]

I'm looking forward to the rest of your build. I've been thinking about building a laser cutter/engraver for awhile. I'm hoping this will give me the nudge I need to get it going. Thanks.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Laser cutters are surprisingly behind in terms of development compared to 3d printers. I'm in the process of designing a controller board for this, and it definitely seems like I have to run it on GRBL, which is... _a pain in the ass_ compared to Marlin to say the least. There are laser cutters running Marlin out there, which I'd love to do since it would allow me to start jobs from SD, out there doesn't seem to be any Marlin compatible G-code sender/generator software available. My best bet seems to be LaserGRBL, which I haven't gotten to work on Linux yet... Hope this doesn't give you a nudge in the opposite direction now 😆 Just a warning...

[@333donutboy]

@@ChronicMechatronic have you looked into using Klipper?

[@ChronicMechatronic]

For laser cutters? Not yet, I'll have to do that, though I imagine it might be the same issue with Gcode compatibility

[@savvybuilds]

Love the tooth pick dowels! I usually use bamboo skewers but I might have to try tooth picks for some of my smaller projects. Cheers!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

I use bamboo skewers too, but in this case even they were too thick :D

[@kirknelson156]

awesome job, makes me want to dig through me scraps to see what i might be able to build.

[@00000a0009]

A core XY belt system would be ideal in this configuration

[@ChronicMechatronic]

No idea why I haven't thought of this yet, I even thought about making a potential next laser cutter corexy, but you're right! It's the solution for the motors not fitting on the carriage 😅 Okay, the slight redesign to be released open source will be corexy 👍

[@joetkeshub]

Hi Ben! Would you believe me if I told you, I watched most of your posts at least 3 times? For the pleasure/entertainment of course and for the huge work hidden behind them. This post is really great: great screenplay; great soundtrack (yes, I know it's some youtube free audios ;)). You became a genuine video director Ben, really. A promising seasoned video maker. That gantry is a jewel! You deserve more than a bunch of subscribers (ok, 11K is not that small though). I'm glad your channel gains in traction. Eric Groslevin (sounds so français) is a nice guy! Those Nemaxx are just waiting for their next use in your surprising projects, I bet. Thank you for the quality of your work Benjamin. Woodwork with you, "a pris des marques de noblesse" French say.... Keep it high my friend.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Hey Phil! I remember you saying that you watch every video at least twice - that makes me so happy. I guess I do put a lot more effort into good editing than many folks who don't employ a dedicated video editor, especially in my niche..

[@romanlubij52]

Great build so far! I only wish the videos would be longer, though. It's really relaxing watching you build stuff!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Thanks :) I'm glad you enjoy it, tho I think if my videos get _even_ longer watch time goes down further 😂 Not to mention sponsor getting uncomfortable at 45min+ (ask me how I know 🤭)

[@martinpanev6651]

Wonderful work, as always!! One thing that I would recommend is not making a motorized Z-axis. Using a motor makes very fine adjustment difficult as the amount that the leadscrew needs to be adjusted is almost never a whole number or easy to predict, and the best solution that has worked for me on two diy layer builds is just making a *thumbscrew* to adjust it :) Also, using the belt drive shouldnt be too difficult, just mount the motors on the front of the frame and the idlers on the back of the frame and make a small belt clamp out of a piece of plywood that gets mounted to the gantry wooden sides

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Thanks :) I'd think a motorized Z allows for even finer adjustments since motor steps divide lead screw pitch into insane resolutions.. Yeah, belts would definitely be the way to go, someone else suggested making it corexy to fit the motors which would totally work - but now I'm 90% done, sunk cost fallacy says I should finish the job. Besides I'd hate to botch the design, even if it means better motors...

[@johannesobernoeder1156]

Very nice project! I like the idea of keeping things easy, cheap & (most importantly) safe. I already can't wait for the next video to come. ;-)

[@krzysiej--9229]

I got vibes of Matthias Wandel out of your videos. In a good way of course. Amazing work.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Yes!!! Congrats, you're the first one to notice! (or at least commenting about it) Matthias Wandel is about the first channel I ever watched, followed the longest, and biggest influence on my work! He basically got me into this weird niche of woodworking purely for the sake of building machines to do more woodworking with. It was primarily him who taught me the "frugal art of working with whatever you have" so to speak :p So I guess it's no surprise if my videos are the spirit of his work (albeit with much more perfectionism) repackaged in a more modern algorithm-compliant video format 😅

[@krzysiej--9229]

@@ChronicMechatronic the work you do is just pure gold, you got me hooked. All mighty algorithm served me the video so you got this part figured out. Now I am all ears and waiting for rest of the build. :D

[@ChronicMechatronic]

@krzysiej--9229 😅😅

[@ssteele1812]

@@ChronicMechatronic Do you also watch Marius Hornburger? I think a colab between the three of you would be AWESOME!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

@@ssteele1812 I used to watch him in 2016 but haven't in a long time... I think I'll have to gain at least a few hundred thousand more subs though before those big fish will consider a collab with me 😂

[@patrichcerpa2923]

I Really enjoy your videos, thanks a lot!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Always happy to hear! 🙏

[@cho4d]

9:00 i think you may have gone overboard with the warnings here. aluminium can be reated like a hard wood and worked with wood tools. it's pretty common.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Yeah I guess I did, not sure why I didn't tone it down a little bit after the cut failed to feel as dangerous as I imagined it being. I hadn't actually seen it being done a whole lot before - maybe once...

[@zfrenchy1716]

10:00 this expansion of the MDF will not be a problem when the frame will be glued on the base ? 4mm seems a lot !

[@ChronicMechatronic]

I've since gotten sceptical of that number too, but I'd have to run proper tests to see how this material specifically reacts to humidity... At least I'd think the base would "breathe" with the frame if they're all made of the same material

[@muhammad.andalif]

cnc pen plotter moving z axis only one way, have their any fix?

[@xenotrixx]

21:42 - I would have used Shoulder Bolts instead of a regular hex bolts.

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Yeah I guess that would've been the ideal choice, but I saw even Voron use regular M3 screws without a smooth shank to mount bearings, so I'm not too worried about it

[@ChronicMechatronic]

@@xenotrixx hmm, no idea where your reply disappeared to, but... My obsession with perfection is already bad enough as is, I'm glad if it doesn't propagate to that aspect of my engineering too, haha. I like machining too! I'd love to ultimately get into metalworking, but the tools are slightly more expensive... I do watch a few machining channels though, you'll probably notice I picked up a few techniques here and there :p I'm responding to this from memory, so I hope I got it all - Your spelling is fine! From experience reading comments the people who worry about their English are usually among the best, worst are those who don't worry ;)

[@dduca73]

Isn't it a little... I don't know.... Flammable?

[@ChronicMechatronic]

It definitely is. I'm legit considering a built-in sprinkler system just in case...

[@JW-lp8oz]

❤❤❤ fantastic

[@TaintedCamper]

you could have made the gantry and the base as seprate pieces so the bed floats and the expantion issue would be far less of an issue it wouls have ment a bit more aluminium or sone thereaded rod thoough. like the look iof this project though kee[ o[ the good work

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Wouldn't work because the whole thing eventually gets enclosed with the same material :( thanks though

[@McFlyOrPie]

You are a psychopath, in a good way! That wood 3D printer makes me so happy..😊 Now, this!?😂

[@lunarz7117]

Make another Laser Cutter and Make this build into a CNC!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Sadly not rigid enough :( Much to my surprise the X-axis rails actually sag by ~0.1 millimeter when the carriage moves to the center purely from the weight of it. It won't be a big problem, but it's one of the really difficult things to evaluate working in CAD. I thought for sure the whole design would be overkill when it comes to the rigidity, but it's actually just about right.

[@ArtDedalus]

can you send link of the laser? And have you tried it? what can it cut?

[@ChronicMechatronic]

I haven't tested it yet, but will add a link when I did and feel like I can recommend it. I imagine as a viewer the fact that I spent my own money on it is already more confidence-inspiring than if a company had sent it to me, but I make bad decisions too. It's the NEJE N40630 by the way...

[@DavidMoscoeUni]

6:19 as someone who has had a drill bit inside my finger from overconfidently doing exactly this I beg you not continue doing this practice

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Ouch that sounds awful! I hope you recovered well. I don't usually do this either, no idea what went wrong there, but I did eventually pull my finger away from where the drill bit would exit. That might've gotten edited out.

[@cinarsinan]

Few seconds enough for sub i want to see process we can make it together i have already 40x40 lazer engarving machine but builkding it myself looking good.

[@Hayat.g-s5y]

Brother help me plz

[@CimboAkinci]

İlk

[@H34...]

Making a laser cutter out of something that the laser can catch fire and burn feels like a bad idea

[@ChronicMechatronic]

Because it probably is 😁 The replacable table slats I made should preferably be metal instead

[@thiagoennes]

It's high time you printed that voron, dude. 🤣 but seriously, a printer with bipolar motors and a sturdier frame will help you a lot in your next projects. cheers!

[@ChronicMechatronic]

I even have a decent printer, the TwoTrees SP-5 V3 I did a video on last Halloween, but chose to use the DIY one because it'd be immortal to spend 2 years making videos about a DIY printer and then use an off-the-shelf one immediately after 😂 But yeah, I'm designing a much more reasonable DIY printer too, main job of the current one will be as a RepStrap

[@thiagoennes]

@@ChronicMechatronic I agree XD I love the first printer, just to be clear. Repstrap! that is the spirit.