DIY 1000W Fiber Laser Cutter Part 1: Project Introduction

[@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!

[@kadirilkimen]

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

[@Jeremy_Fielding]

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? 😉

[@Jeremy_Fielding]

@@diyfiberlaser actually yes LOL

[@derekturner3272]

Very impressive work for so many reasons. I've built 3d printers, CNC cutters of many types, laser engravers, lots of micro controller projects and some pretty large machine tools, power hamemrs, presses, etc. I think I just found my next labor of love. 1500W's here I come!!!!!

[@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 ?

[@TheSynthnut]

I was looking for something like this, but about ten years ago. It's amazing how fibre lasers have become more attainable. The Coherent Meta1000 I looked at was at least £150,000. Stay safe!

[@Dog-my1yb]

15k is nothing, man up

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@dariobasile2699]

As a PhD researcher working in laser welding, I am amazed by your work. Subscribed!

[@diyfiberlaser]

Awesome! I have a laser welder on the way, it’s already landed at the US port, so I will have some content on that coming soon…hopefully you stick around, it would be great to hear your commentary on the laser welding machine

[@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

[@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

[@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?

[@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.

[@JulianMakes]

Hi travis I’m watching this for the second time, and I’m realising your gas prices are way too high. Those prices sound like the cost to buy the bottles. If you rent them they are 100-200 per big bottle. Just to reiterate I think this project is so amazing. Bravo

[@pupdoggify]

Hi Travis, I took the same route as you did in 2013 with a CO2 laser, when fiber lasers were a new technology. Raycus and Max laser weren't around yet. One thing that could benefit you greatly, and I would love to collaborate with you if needed, is to create your own Nitrogen generator. This will eliminate the cost of purchasing or refilling N2 every time you cut exotic metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, etc. For steel, you can actually use dry compressed air instead of oxygen. However, this must be supplied by a reputable rotary screw compressor (5-10HP or more) which is the bulk of the cost upfront.

[@mp6756]

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

[@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!?

[@norgtube]

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

[@fredbloggs4829]

Coolest DIY project on KZbin by far!

[@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!!!

[@systemG3000]

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

[@alangliniak9514]

8:14 always turn tank valves on completely, there is a second sealing surface inside and you will see less consumption

[@karoma7898]

4:42 , that's a very common cost cutting measure, I work with a 2500W laser at work (industrial), we do up to 10mm black steel or 6mm stainless steel, reliably, BUT, we have a liquid ring compressor system, and HIGH pressure is an important factor in evacuating molten metal and a good finish. I'd be happy to relay any questions you have to our more experienced operator, keep in mind, I live in the middle east, so specific pricing question may be irrelevant.

[@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.

[@jamesmead1974]

I'm so pumped to find this video! I'm collecting parts to build a DIY fiber laser too, but there's so many missing elements of the system. I'm mostly interested in the controller. I've got a 4kw IPG sitting in my garage. It's relatively easy to generate 3 phase power with "off grid solar inverters" but it's not the cheapest option. You can do ~15kw for around $2000 or so. I'm so into you

[@diyfiberlaser]

From my research, it appears most commercial machines are using Friendess controllers and CypCut software. I went with the Ruida RD6563F controller because it is cheaper and I'm familiar using a Ruida controller on my C02 lase. It has it's own software called RDCutist V2.0. It seems less robust than the CypCut software, but so far, has all of the basic features I've needed.

[@DEtchells]

Interesting note about the 3-phase solar inverters, I’m gonna file that away for future reference!

[@danielelenarduzzi9888]

@@diyfiberlaser Does the laser source use a PWM to control the power output?

[@nick066hu]

@@danielelenarduzzi9888 Raycus RFL-C 1000 has a direct modulation input, your circuit can control the laser up to 5000Hz. this can be used for PWM control. Is also has an analog 0-10V input that can be enabled. A serial and and ethernet port is also present, however it is not clear if we can obtain a description of it's protocol, I have not found it yet. A user manual is available, google it.

[@StageSound-u7s]

Any control 7$ or above can do the job just fine. I currently have complete cnc machine and building table for plasma torch since its relatively cheap. But from what I understand same laser source can be used for metal cutting, engraving, welding.. So fiber laser in the end may be cheaper and much more quality solution than having separate.. Engraver, cutting machine,welder... Can anyone confirm this?

[@andremostert344]

Well done, Man!!! It takes some guts to attempt something like this from a home garage. I have many years of experience in lasers. I myself have designed and or built almost all types of industrial laser systems you can think of except subsurface green laser marking or UV lasers, but all the rest high power performance CO2, 3D galvo, laser welding, welding cleaning, heat treating, scribing, robotic, metal cutting (CO2 and fiber), marking (CO2, Fiber and old school diode pumped ND:YAG). Although i have never had to do it with such limited tools and budget. What you are doing is very impressive. I sincerely want to reach out to you and offer you my help and experience if you are interested. I don't get much time to play around anymore and would love to help you get the most out of your machine. I can see your machine is still very clean, so you still have quite a learning curve ahead of you. Let me know how I can get in contact with you to send you, my details.

[@boydnelson2280]

Great Project! I pay about $35 for oxygen tank exchange (for a tank about half your size) - at work where we buy a lot of gas I pay about $50 for a nitrogen tank exchange. Buying the first tank is expensive but after that it is just a matter of exchanging tanks at the local welding supply store. I don't know how much gas you need but I purchase used oxygen concentrators (off Craigslist or the marketplace) for torches for glasswork (you can compress the oxygen for storage if needed). for a 5 LPM unit I pay $50 to $200 - You should be able to get the nitrogen out of the exhaust without too much trouble. If the concentrator breaks there is a great little low pressure compressor inside that is worth whatever you paid.

[@peterxyz3541]

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

[@unshadowstudioandcreators_uN]

To be on the safe side, buy a co2 fire extinguisher for metal fires. Slag could cause your aluminum profile to burn. and the Si and Mg content could catch fire and become inextinguishable... auf Deutsch... Gute Arbeit weiter so!

[@zpbeats3938]

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

[@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.

[@NERVESxxOFxxSTEEL]

I really considered adding fiber laser to my existing 3kw cnc router. But just the main components and not the cnc bits cost quite a bit. The only real added benefits to me that is, is being able to cut steel which i don't do often. CNC router can cut aluminium and achieves 3 axis. So i abandoned the idea. But finally someone did it! Great work.

[@tomwagemans1872]

Working as a salesman for company that sells laserwelders. Which is also a class 4 laser. I have to point out the safety aspect. Please cover up the window. The rays will go straight through the glass. You would be surprised how far the damaging rays could travel because of the reflection. I just subcribed because this I such a cool project. Keep those episodes coming!

[@diyfiberlaser]

Thanks for your input, I certainly will make a panel to cover the exterior window while cutting

[@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

[@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!

[@AERuffy]

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

[@joshuacaylor881]

That is insane detail in such a small area

[@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!!

[@georgef1176]

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

[@yun514]

I used to work at a shop . They used 4 différents gas co2 oxygen on laser cutter. Co2 nitrogen n 32h and of course h2o on plasma cut . All for différents job . Thickness speed and space from the matériel. Waterjet is a dirty job 😅😅. As a machinist been working on cnc lathe milling and router . Now I got my own small company and is old school machine resharpening grinding tools .But I love your project look pretty cool .

[@Irjdunn1]

At 8:06, it looks like you’re adjusting those tank valves just enough to hit the mark on your regulator. Remember to go full open on the tank valve and then close a click or two. Use the regulator to regulate pressure, not the tank valve. I’m not certain why, but my welding teacher made a point about it and it’s always stuck with me.

[@martinhernandez6579]

I have 22+ years working on industrial lasers, if you are going to use compressed air, 3 important words, filtration, filtration, filtration. Any water vapor that contaminates your lens or collimator and you will be replacing them excessively, if you can’t get them clean enough. Fiber lasers require a pristine lens to function properly. CO2 lasers are a little more forgiving.

[@abdacnc3969]

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

[@centurialinc]

Awesome! Do some test cuts showing the types of materials you can cut and the max thickness please and thank you. I want to cut steel plates up to half inch. I’m curious if you could do that with oxygen

[@MakingBoost]

The resolution is quite remarkable. Nice work.

[@TylerHarney]

Someone FINALLY did it!

[@ElectroMechanical]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@davej7434]

Very interesting, I am looking at making (because nobody makes one) a combo unit, CNC router and laser. I have been thinking of getting a MillRight and making the table move and not the gantry, mount the laser on the back of the mill head off of the table. and have a small footprint that does two functions. The application is cut 1" boards, 5/8 aluminum, and laser thin gauge metal, with engraving.

[@kilroy79763]

DUDE - this is totally awesome - I know you know. got my attention!

[@Garage-happiness]

That is a really nicely built. Suddenly my home-built 3D printer with screws seems like a waste of time 🙃 but at the same time I think, with the knowledge I acquired, I can build one like that too... I understand that you are not used to the metric system but that is 20 millimeters and not centimeters... extremely impressive.

[@boko.youtube]

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

[@GBWM_CNC]

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

[@listen_to_the_birds]

Love it. Would pay to have the BOM / sources. Great work :D This deserves its own DIY community.

[@diyfiberlaser]

I am completely overwhelmed with the amazing response this video has received, so now I backpedaling to set up the infrastructure to hopefully better support everyone. I'm working on setting up a Patreon community for interested builders, where I can share BOM, more detailed vids, and with a forum to make a repository of information, answers to common question, share ideas, etc. Please have some patience with me, I'm a little slow moving as I'm trying to juggle video making, day job, kids, etc. Maybe with enough support, I can convince my wife to let me make a career jump and open up a lot more time for content creation and support. Thanks for your interest! 😀

[@listen_to_the_birds]

@@diyfiberlaser totally understand! Wishing you luck 🤞 and I'm eager to make contributions of my own to this project! Looking forward to 2023.

[@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.

[@graykimchi]

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

[@leighharvey9150]

Could add a larger tank to get the air you need. Still won’t run indefinitely but if you let the air compressor build up Pressure first it will extend your cutting time on compressed air.

[@joachimsingh2929]

If you get the plumbing you could install your own filling station to fill your own bottles of compressed air. Diving bottles at 200 bar are pretty cheap.

[@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!!!

[@SushikiIIer]

Thankyou for putting a BIG "warning read about this before you try" cause even though I'm sure you know what your doing not seeing some laser glass over that fairly high power IR laser too contain stray beam reflections is a bit sketch xD. Amazing project tho ive looked into trying too make a fibre laser system like this and never ended up having the balls too pull the trigger. Props too you man!

[@samssonenterprises1927]

I have worked with Co2 lasers cutting metals, watch for micro metal particles in your extraction system. I have converted an old EverFlo Oxygen Concentrator to produce ondemand O2 for a small torch setup, not the purest O2 but works well enough for gas welding. Just food for thought.

[@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.

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

Well described and thank you for all the info shared. The greatest fail of the whole system is no mouse on the laptop 🙂 Looks to be the system I will need, but the price is outside my capabilities now. I have a 65 amp plasma cutter on a PlasmaCAM, and a 6040 CNC which does me fine for now, and I am building a 90W 6090 CO2 currently with about 2/3 of the parts now.

[@diyfiberlaser]

Tough critic! I have a Bluetooth mouse, I just wasn’t using it 😜

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

@@diyfiberlaser 🙂

[@ToxicSocietyTroll]

Great Scott it's a young Doc Brown!

[@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.

[@robstoddard9521]

At about 8:05 you turn on your Nitrogen. That's an all-the-way on or all-the-way off valve. You should open it up all the way to the packing. Same with all gas cylinders.

[@Smokeisprogress]

we have an old trumpf 9000w at work that uses liquid Nitrogen that produces around 150ish psi out of the gassifier but we have to boost it to close to 400 psi for cutting 1/4" steel.

[@KyrychenkoAnton]

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

[@Hollywood4Fun]

I built a small CNC table (15 inches x 30 inches). It uses nema 17 motors and probably cost me less than $150 to put it together using off-the-shelf aluminum extrusion and parts from AliExpress. I use open builds software to run it because it's free. I hooked up a plasma cutter to it (low frequency blowback style) and was able to cut some signs. I'm not a big fan of the metal warping and crashing the machine, and I'm sure a laser cutter would produce far less heat in the metal. I'd love to hook up a fiber laser head to it but it looks a bit too costly at this point. If I was going to spend that kind of money on a laser source and head I would probably opt for a better and larger CNC platform as well. I've also explored the idea of building a water jet cutter. I think that would be much more affordable but the accuracy you were getting on that small cut was super impressive. I'm not sure a water jet cutter could even be that accurate. I'd like to see your laser cutter cut something thicker. Either way, amazing project. Subscribed.

[@diyfiberlaser]

My V2 machine can be made for significantly cheaper than this version cost. Keep watching the series…I show it cutting all the way up to 8mm steel plate I believe.

[@skrebneveugene5918]

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

[@hardware4200]

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

[@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.

[@rms540]

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

[@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!!!!

[@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!

[@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.

[@spehropefhany]

Very workmanlike job. T. The stepper drivers (closed loop servo?) look nice, not cheap at all. Looking forward to more fiber (lasers) in my KZbin diet.

[@juanwiedemann152]

I haven’t watched your video yet, but you’re a god

[@simonstergaard]

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

[@lezbriddon]

wow the little cut at the end, not much makes me amazed but wow thats accurate fine cutting. now I'm going into the spare room to stare at my ebay k40........

[@FamilyManMoving]

Incredibly awesome. Want to see more. Oh, please get some long sleeves on, and a neck gaiter. Cover your hands. This looks a lot like the UV blast from a TIG setup, and UV does more than harm eyesight. Check out welding supply companies for easy to don protection. Or even gear for offshore fishermen. Anything, really.

[@MikeyRoofffff]

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

[@evolutionsCNC]

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

[@kitatit]

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

[@jondavidmcnabb]

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

[@ZoeyR86]

320cf over a 1hr cut is only 5.33cf/min if you're running at 100 psi this can be done with 2 of the compressors you have also change the set pressure to a max of 120-135psi it will more then 3x the life of the pump and reduce power draw drastically. After 10 bar, the effort a pump needs is crazy high. I ran that raycus 1500 at 90psi using 4.85cf and never had a problem with it. I don't have a table atm. I scraped it when I moved, but I have a few tubs with the parts. And have a 18u rack road case (kind used by concerts for dj equipment) with my source (8u for the unit, and the rest is foam for the head and fiber cable). If I set mine back up, I'm going to grab 3x 20cf tanks in series and 4 or 5 of the low noise fortress compressors from harbor freight.. With a 2 stage dryer for automotive painting. This sounds crazy but if 1 fails, you still have 4 others and only take 3 of them to hit the flow requirements. At 150$ea on sale and about as loud as a portable A/C. Also, I can swap it out locally if it fails. I have 1, and I have painting a car redone a roof and framed an addition with zero problems, and it's so quiet also adjusting the tank pressure to 120psi peak running amps is 7.6 at 120v so you can get 3 on a 20amp circuit. If you do this, stager the tank pressures by 10psi to prevent them from all starting at the same time.. Running copper coils from the compressors to the first tank with cool and condense out the water drop a purge valve on the bottom of every tank and 2 of the 2.5x20 water filter housing with 5micron filters, will keep the air 99.99% clean and are soild upto 140psi working 300psi burst.

[@deltacx1059]

You don't even need to use a 220v control system, the common boards for 3d printers and mini mills can do it pretty well

[@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.

[@Jordan-lm1df]

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

[@jotaefearango]

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

[@dastatiks6182]

Wow, awesome build ! I would love to build a machine like tours, but for now I will stay with diode laser... 😅

[@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

[@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

[@BaconbuttywithCheese]

Now you've got most of it, incremental upgrades are a breeze such as bed size. 15k sounds a lot and is but you could bespoke cut some highly accurate jobs and recoup your investment pretty quick. I am at the point of closed loop servos just for repeatability waay down where 10ths are too big.

[@minskmade]

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