RDWorks Learning Lab 88 Mk6 pointer and other tools

If you own a Chinese laser cutter this little series of videos about me learning how to use the free software provided, may solve the problem of trying to learn from a virtually unreadable manual.
I am nothing to do with RD Works, I am not an instructor and I am no expert. This series will document the essential bits of many hours of trial and error

[@StefsEngineering]

I like how you get more and more relaxed making these video's. Nice intro standing relaxed with a coffee mug.

[@tridenttrikes2900]

what I like from your videos is the learning curve ,I think your skills is very good also as a teacher.and what I really enjoy is your English humor.Now and then I have to laugh so much that my wife comes and asked me what the heck I'm looking :) keep on the good job.Rudy

[@rjlatheart]

It is so nice of you to share your learning ... I really enjoy the "imaginerring" it opens so many doors for us on our trek. I know thank you just doesn't begin to cover all you have done. I use my machine almost every day and all this learning has helped so much. I am looking forward to my realignment quest with the new tools. Thank You!

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Rich Word of warning this is not an absolute substitute for the laser beam I've tried to design it so that the laser diode is always central to the water jacket which may or may not be perfectly central to the beam itself. Before you turn your machine off and rip everything apart, put a reference scorch mark at the laser head itself and then switch off your machine and align the beam to that scorch mark. That way you have a reasonable simulation of the beam path. Be very careful not to touch or knock the pointer once you have set it. Now play with your mirrors. Once you are happy with your new setup. go back and retest it with the scorch mark method and make final tweaks. Good luck and best wishes Russ ps Thanks for the kind words.

[@rjlatheart]

Using a diode we have found that they do not fire straight from the center. Even using expensive ones. The fix was to set up a target and rotate the diode until you get the best results at hitting as close as you can to the center. Then mark the diode case so you know TDC of the case in that rotation. Then you have a more controlled chance of hitting the target correctly.

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Rich Yes, I am aware. I went to the trouble of collimating my Mk1 and Mk2 versions. However, I found that even with all that effort, the actual beam path was different to my reference beam so I decided on a different strategy and that was to use it as a marker beam for changing out/cleaning mirrors. If it is used as a comparator rather than an absolute it works brilliantly. You can , as I said use it to get a "from scratch" setup of the beam path provided you have put down a referernce marker before you start. It will ultimately require checking with the scorch method for final tweaks. Best regards Russ

[@neatpleats11]

Although I don't have a think laser, I thoroughly enjoy learning everything you teach. You make me think

[@alexglendinning9496]

Really enjoy your videos mate, been playing with the eBay lasers for a few years now and the K40 unit was solid and went for years. The 50W I upgraded to just like yours lasted 2 months, repaired and lasted another few days... Pulled the trigger and bought an Epilog helix so that will be fun to learn when it gets here. Anyone reading I'd avoid the more expensive Chinese ones as they do turn into a money pit, and you end up replacing rubbish with rubbish from aliexpress getting the parts to fix them. Anyways that's my experience for anyone looking to get one.

[@kev1r]

Hi Russ another fantastic video, i really do look forward to you posting new videos. Thank you Sir.

[@graemegreen9716]

As always Russ, a very interesting clip. I look forward to your assessment of servo vs stepper at some future stage as the internet pundits seem quite divided on their relative benefits and drawbacks. Thank you very, very much for your efforts in enlightening us.

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Graeme The servos on this new machine are hybrid servos which means they are 3 phase stepper motors with an built in shaft encoder that still has some "steppiness" about it but has better positional control. It cannot lose its position. I find out it is rare to have true servos on these machines. But the gearing to the drive belt is completely different and that's where I think the improvement will show. That's for a future session. Best regards Russ

[@ingmarm8858]

Hi Russ, another fun video. I'm about to pull the trigger on an eBay K40 laser and I fully expect to have to go over it with a fine tooth comb before I even turn it on so your videos continue to teach and amuse me. At least I've never seen you do what a gentleman from Alabama was doing in his recent laser video and that is running his fingers all over the tube whilst powered up complimenting the cooling system!! As an old broadcasting tech I almost fainted when I saw that act of utter stupidity! As I've said before, keep it up. Cheers. Ingmar

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Ingmar Thanks for the kind words. I understand the coherent beam that come out of the laser (as you will see in kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXvIYmmPhtF8g5I ), however I respect 25000volts dc and am ultra cautious of the hot end. Glass may no be conductive but air and dust can be!! Good luck with you new purchase...and yes , you can be certain that it's a "project" that you are buying rather than a "hit -the-ground-running" piece of kit Best regards Russ

[@andrewchesney]

Thank you so much for taking the time to prepare and share this.

[@tridenttrikes2900]

I love It I almost get no sleep anymore I keep watching your video ") Rudy The Netherlands

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Oh dear.....I never thought of myself as a drug peddler!!! Best wishes and sweet dreams Russ

[@jimmybleron4700]

thank you very much for all of the videos you helped me a lot!!! best Regards from austria

[@wolfganglindhorst]

Hi Russ, first - thanks for your very detailed educational videos! Not sure you still read/answer messages to this 4 year old video you did. I enjoy, learning and study videos from you already a couple of years and finally bought a Chinese 1060 100W RECI-W2 CO2 laser. I would be very pleased if you could send me the drawing files you mentioned for the MK6 and accessories. Unfortunately I can't find the PM you mentioned for your KZbin channel, it might have changed. However - Great quality videos from you! Thank You!

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Wolfgang Just remember to remove it after use because this is not a beam combiner but just a setting aid. This video was near the end of my mission to find the ideal laser pointer setting aid and there are videos for the others that follow all the way up to Mk7. I am happy to send you all the drawings BUT in the light of experience, i must add bit of a health warning. I have designed them so that you get continuous live feedback as you are adjusting mirrors during beam setting. They all work well up to about 95% and quickly get your mirrors into approximate shape, However, unless they are aligned perfectly with the laser beam axis as it exits the tube there will always be some error..I found that despite my best efforts you still have to go all round with the scorch test to set the machine perfectly. Time and a lot of experience has taught me this, so I abandoned the idea eventually. BUT don't abandon the idea completely because it is an amazing tool to help with fault finding and mirror cleaning/changes.Two massive benefits are to be had if you have mirrors that are not easily accessible for cleaning. Let's assume your machine is well set and you decide to remove a mirror. Before doing so put the head as far away as possible from mirror 2 and put some sort of target/cross-hair on the head entry port.. Set your pointer to fire at the cross hair and leave it on. Remove and service your mirror and when you come to replace it, it takes but a few minor adjustments to get the beam back onto the cross-hair and you have reset your mirror.. The other very useful application is when you have set your beam perfect in 3 table corners but cannot make the 4th corner correct. Observing how the beam moves as you traverse from front to back with the gantry you will observe the beam moving. It's now down to your mechanical problem solving skills to identify and fix the issue. OR you can watch this for the real solution kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZSWhpSAh6qEpLc Its now about 4 years since I last tried to use a pointer but If you still want drawings you are welcome. Just add your disguised email address to another comment and I will send them to you and also delete your comment. Best wishes Russ

[@PeterEduard]

"Make certain our nuts are pulled back into the slots". Yeah, I know. But that cracked me up a bit. ;)

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Peter Well spotted. I try to include a few carefully chosen phrases in each video but most go unnoticed. Best regards Russ

[@andygrady]

Hi Russ, only just discovered your channel. Brilliant :) Very informative and very useful. Could I ask how I'd go about getting the files for the mirror targets and laser pointer holder please. I don't appear to be able to send a KZbin private message any more. Cheers, Andy

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Andy Sadly You Tube canned their private message service more than a year ago. The best way now is to send me your email address in longhand form (jimdotbrownatgooglemaildotcom) and I will reply to you. Best wishes Russ

[@Madhatter2u2]

Firstly want to say how much I’m enjoying watch the videos. Very informative and well presented, I’m impatiently waiting on my laser to be delivered. I would like to get all the files for the accessories you have developed as mentioned in this video. Do I just put my email address in here or is there an other option. Many thanks Andy

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Andy I don't encourage people to publish their private email on an open forum but you can use the You Tube private message system to send me your email Best wishes Russ

[@Madhatter2u2]

SarbarMultimedia private message sent.

[@greenacresfarms]

Russ, would you please send me the files shown in this video? Or you can point me to the files on the RDworking lab website. Much appreciated, as always.

[@gasman9845]

Hello again Russ. do you design all your own cards eg butterfly card or do you get them online

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Wayne. I'm no artist but I'm pretty nifty at pinching ideas to copy/mix/adapt to my own needs. There's loads of places to go for inspiration and also places where you can buy designs. A good free starting point is monicascreativeroom.se/category/my-cards/ Bst regards Russ

[@rho35100]

You have saved me from some trouble with your videos. Thanks for that!! that gadget you´ve invented. can you share the file?

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Charles Use the you tube personal message sytstem to send me your email and I will ping the drawing to you. Best regards Russ

[@SESmith4301]

Hi Russ, Is there somewhere we can download the plans for these test pieces? I've looked on the RDWorkslab.com with no luck. Thanks so much for everything you've done. I received my Bodor BCL-1006x 80w system about the same time as your videos started. Great Timing Indeed. Cheers, Steve. Vancouver, BC, Canada

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Stephen They will find their way to RDWorkslab but Keith is away from his post at present and I did not upload them before he went. I think he is back later this week. There are several things I have to send him. I will be happy to post them direct to you . Just send me a you tube personal message with your email address and Iwill ping them across to you. Best regards Russ

[@alphasxsignal]

What is the best machine to buy??????? American or Chinese or some other?????

[@SarbarMultimedia]

That's abit of a difficult question to answer , a bit like asking what sort of woman should I marry???? If you ask yourself the right questions then the answer will probably be obvious * Do I need it for business now or business maybe? * What table size MUST I have * What will I be doing with it? Outing thick or thin materials? Engraving? * What is the budget? * Am I prepared to be the "on-site" expert/service tech? * Will I be the only user or will I be asking others to use it Decide on these issues and it will help me to point you in the right direction, Best regards Russ

[@jameswares4469]

Hi Russ . can you tell me the model number of your new laser . Very nice video looking forward to the next one. Thanks James

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi James Its a Lightblade 6040 60watts There are a whole new series of videos I have done for Thinklaser that will be gradually released onto their own KZbin chanel. The first one can be found at kzbin.info/www/bejne/oamXp6B6nNp2r6c Best regards Russ

[@jameswares4469]

+SarbarMultimedia Thanks

[@alphasxsignal]

Looks like the GlowForge doesn't have to do all this align up stuff.

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi It also looks like there are lots of disappointed potential laser users that have already been waiting 18 months for an over hyped K40 machine . To call it a 3D laser printer tells a cynic such as myself all they want to know. The only fantastic thing I can see about it is the advertising. Best regards Russ

[@alexparish937]

Hi there. I must be missing something somewhere. I would love to get a copy of the cad files for these bits but I cannot find any way to send you a private message. Either it's not there or I'm missing it. Could you please give me some further prompting. Thanks.

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Alex Hi Recently You Tube shut down it's private messaging system. All you can now do is add you email address to another comment and I will immediately delete it from public view and contact you Best wishes Russ

[@gasman9845]

Sorry for all the questions im like a child in a candy shop right now. my wife says she can hear my brain working at night :-)

[@paulanthony873]

Do you sell your targets and holders?

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Paul I don't sell anything except the dohicky to cover material and manufacturing costs. Making money is no longer a necessity. I prepared well for my retirement and just have the greatest fun with my learning journey and my video hobby. That allows me to share what I learn freely. I will send you any drawings that will help you to make things for yourself. The video on the subject is in effect the "make" instructions. I have explored many different target methods my preference is the simplest type that I use in my recent video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqaxi6hnYqeLq7s. Just message me with your email and your needs. It all depends on your mirror design. Best wishes Russ

[@2010GRABOWSKI]

Hey, I've watched a lot of your videos as I am waiting for my own, do you or could you do a job?

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Andrew I am retired now and no longer chase work or money. I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and understanding which combined with love of engineering, my video activities and answering emails leaves just a little time to pick an item or two off my wife's long "to do" list I'm now in this just for self gratification. Thanks for the offer Best regards Russ

[@ibrahimkhatri595]

This is a price

[@tigoxbrata]

do you provide the files to replicate these tools? edit: whoops, should've waited for the end of the video haha

[@SarbarMultimedia]

Hi Tigox Yes the files are available. Use the You Tube private messaging system to send me your email and I'll get a set to you Best wishes Russ