eBay K40 CO2 Laser - Why it is Important to use Distilled Water!

In this episode, we will be
Want to see what we are up to daily? Check out our regular KZbin Blog posts at:
Please visit www.DIY3DTech.com for more information on this and many other projects!
Check us out on Social Media to see what we are up too as we always have something cooking in the shop!
-Follow us on Instagram:
/ diy3dtech
-Follow us on Tumblr:
www.tumblr.com/blog/diy3dtech
-Follow us on Reddit:
/ diy3dtech
Subscribe to the DIY3DTech KZbin Channel:
KZbin.DIY3DTech.com
Subscribe to the DIY3DTech OpenSCAD Channel:
openscad-youtube.diy3dtech.com
If your looking for looking 3D Printer, Laser Cutter and CNC Swag (T-Shirts, Hats, Mugs, etc), please support the channel by visiting our online shop at: swag.DIY3DTech.com
Are you a retailer or product manufacture and would like your product reviewed? Please contact us at info[at]diy3dtech.com
Tags: #DIY3Dtech

[@konturgestalter]

excellent, i would hope you come back producing more videos. I learnt a lot through them

[@tremolo312]

Really nailed the description there guy

[@billwade8724]

Really enjoying your series and plan to do the same as you on several of your mods. I do have one question though. As related to Water Cooling, can you tell me if their is a recommended placement location for the water reservoir? Does it make any difference if the water reservoir level is above or below the laser level? I look forward to hearing your thoughts soon. Thank you.

[@andrewgrace31]

Guess that explains why I felt a slight current in the water while the laser was running lol. I am using distilled water but recently added some disinfectant to combat a bit of slime that was starting to grow.

[@vaidasv3419]

Hi. Just want to ask again just to make sure. May I use deionised water in cooling system?. Thanks

[@JoshColeHD]

How can i flush any build up of the white iron and stuff from my tube and hoses? Like can I run a product through to get it out?

[@victormuller4462]

How about RODI water, would that works as well as destiled?

[@QuebecoisSti]

I work with Hypertherm plasma cutting unit and they used a propylene glycol special solution for cooling their high frequency power unit (plasma). It's their own brand. Is it something thats seems good ? Since the plasma torch shouldnt have any electricity inside the EC must be pretty low and must be good for winter/cold places since its glycol. Hypertherm coolant composition: 69.8% water 30% propylene glycol, industrial grade 0.2% benzotriazole Max conductivity: 10 uS/cm Resist freezing up to -12°C (10°F) PH 4-8

[@QuebecoisSti]

Following on research... Distilled water supposed to have an EC of 0.5 to 3 uS/cm I don't know so much about laser cooling but I am expecting lower is better ?

[@user-rb3mv6nl4q]

Omtech makes an antifreeze for glass co2 lasers

[@rainanspullo]

How to make distilled water?

[@Prowlerook]

what about RO water?

[@jamzempire]

I get winters where I live, does antifreeze cause the same thing?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Yes and you also run the risk of damaging the hoses with versions too...

[@targetfun]

hi, nice explanation, but what happen if laser is kept under 0 °C? is there any suitable cooling liquid for "winter" work? And also, tube have to be cooled or also heated.. I mean which is the working range? I will keep it on external place and Iàd like to setup a proper cooling/warming system .. any suggestion?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

You shouldn't (4C or 40F) the min range for most laser tubes is 4C or 40F and I know a lot of people keep these in unheated areas, however it will adversely affect both performance and life of the tube...

[@targetfun]

Ok. The problem is that also in not used, but simply stored outside.. in case of very cold day water may become ice and tube will cRack I suppose.. so the only way is to remove water if not used and stored in a cold place?

[@user-rb3mv6nl4q]

Omtech makes antifreeze for co2 glass lasers

[@user-rb3mv6nl4q]

Omtech makes antifreeze for co2 lasers, about $36 a gallon

[@countryacademy9053]

I recently bought a used k40 that doesn't look used. When I test fire the laser will mark but when I go to engrave the tube lights but nothing happens on the material.

[@bawi2]

are your mirrors properly aligned?

[@countryacademy9053]

@@bawi2 just now going through the mirrors. Got it to engrave on the closest side of the work area last night.

[@nevnapok162]

Hi! I used not distilled water and now the laser is not working properly. Is there any solution? Thanks!

[@user-rb3mv6nl4q]

Buy a few gallons of distilled water at your local grocery store and use that

[@benndenton3182]

Hi can I deionized water in stead of distilled water and can I use antifreeze

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

My recommendation is no and no as covered in the video it is the impurities in the water/fluid which allow the inductance.

[@benndenton3182]

@@DIY3DTECHcom hi thank you for replying but would like to say that deionized water is pure it has no ions in it. It doesn't conduct electricity and its cheaper than distilled in the UK

[@laurabrooks6986]

Explains alot.. how would you recommend flushing out the tube to clear for the distilled water? Here in the uk they mention supermarket mineral water is the same. Would you agree?

[@sskkuuddrraa]

You should not operate with k40 laser, if you ask questions like that!

[@laurabrooks6986]

@@sskkuuddrraa is there any need for comments like that??? FYI everyone has to learn sometime so id keep your comments to yourself and as a matter of fact i got it sorted 👍

[@sskkuuddrraa]

Hateful (as it might seem) comments, is like ground wire..You can live without it, but its right place and time, it can save Your life.

[@JamesW81]

@@laurabrooks6986 Have you found distilled water somewhere? Also new to laser (got it this week) but I haven't even turned it on yet as I don't want to run it without distilled.

[@laurabrooks6986]

@@JamesW81 as recommended by other uk k40 users i used deionized water which is on car/diy aisle of asda! 1.50 a bottle it is and i only used 5 bottles! I am on Instagram if need help and can put you on to some amazing guys that helped me with all enquiries.. unlike the a@#s who commented above 🙄

[@randypatterson5158]

Do you think distilled water with chlorine added is ok?

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

I wouldn't as again that defeats the idea, as the voltage is high so not a lot would be needed to conducting. Also if you keep you cooling system clean and closed, you will get around 3 months (or at least that is what I get) before needing to change the water. Also to clean it would not use bleach, but H2O2 as a cleaning agent if scum does build up and rise with water...

[@Henchman1977]

That explains why I got an electrical shock from the return water flow.....

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

yupper...

[@Baba_Kush]

Well I guess my tap water is 'cleaner' then :) not painful but feel it xD

[@Prowlerook]

why did you? ground can't help that?

[@eugenes9751]

Can you do a test to show just how much it might reduce the laser power? I've got 5x 150w machines, running 8hrs/day for the last 5 years on tap water, and haven't noticed any power reduction myself... And this is honestly the first time I'm even hearing of such a phenomenon.

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Unfortunately I do not have a laser power meter however I would guess around 2% depending upon the conductivity of the fluid. However on 150 watt laser I am doubting you will notice that much verses a 40 watt unit they have no remaining overhead where at 150 watts my guess you have quite bit.

[@lezbriddon]

ions and 'stuff' in water conduct electricity, not the pure water, and while the water is on one insulated side of the glass tube from the plasma, it will have a small effect, like when you put your hand on a plasma globe the streams come to your hand.... distilled water is considered pure as its made from steam and all the 'stuff' in it gets left behind, that is except for the ions... ions are metallic inn nature and can still cause the water to conduct just as much as when it had all the organic 'stuff' in it ! deionised water is considered less pure as it can still contain 'stuff', but it doesn't contain the metallic irons, so can be less electricity conductive. nowhere near me sells distilled, I have plain, 25l of deionised, 25l of reverse osmosis but no distilled, when i have access to all 4, i will be doing high voltage conductivity tests to finally get an answer, and then i will refill my laser with each and run power/speed/engraving tests to see if theres a visible power difference...

[@JamesW81]

@@lezbriddon Have you run these tests yet by any chance? I've just received my laser this week and I'm struggling to find distilled water at a reasonable price. Short of making a still, I was wondering if deionised water is suitable.

[@lezbriddon]

@@JamesW81 I got delayed due to life, well let's be honest I took the k40 apart and started upgrades :) but I still have the water and I planned to test it then refill, but it's dragged on longer than expected so I'll pull my finger out and get them tested in the morning without fail.

[@JamesW81]

@@lezbriddon lol! I've not even turned mine on yet, and I've ordered bits for air assist. New lens has arrived, but still waiting for head and tubing. I think I'll upgrade the main board at some point, but I'm in no rush for that.

[@thecrazy8888]

There is no video in the corner. See 1:05

[@quarlow1215]

I've heard of people using antifreeze in their system. What "light" can you shed on this aspect? And yes, pun was intended. Lol

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

Not a good idea, and some antifreeze's can damage the silicone hoses too...

[@mikcsek2]

@@DIY3DTECHcom and what if I use ethyl alcohol from pharmacy? is it the same? somehow I have to avoid the freezing, but I can not use warming machine.

[@jankof76]

@@DIY3DTECHcom you are right, I used anti-freeze and and 6 months later my tube going to the high pressure switch fell off in the middle of of an important job for 3* Gen.