Setting Up A Two Trees TS2 Laser

[@kylemckinney5695]

You're gonna mention a past career as a contortionist and not give any more detail!? I'd love a Stories with Bob section. Your life is so interesting, and your skill sets are so varied. I always enjoy your videos.

[@RobertTolone]

I’ll try to make up some good stories to cover up the mostly boring stuff.

[@5in1killa]

I like seeing you out of your comfort zone. I'm excited to see your ideas and creations.

[@osanaisamyth5591]

That laser machine looks like a movie prop, amazing

[@stiffk666]

Another lovely piece of craftsmanship and fantastic you're showing people there is an alternative to buying all the add ons. Some parts might be cheap but boy do they add up! Its a joy to watch you create bespoke parts. Can't wait to see what you'll be producing with all these new machines though.

[@nickdarrow4873]

I really like that you don't draw out your videos into painful detail. Efficient and to the point. Great video as always- Thanks!

[@music42380]

that silver lid makes it look space-age. excited to see the projects you use it with

[@jsonlee01]

Oh boy. Robert unleashed. He’s got a laser now!!!

[@RobertTolone]

Yippee! WE have a laser for doing channel projects!

[@_Fryce_]

So happy to see you, your channel, and your shop grow!

[@DimensionMachine]

And just like that you have moved fully into the digital fabrication age...Nice!

[@Jason-on4hg]

Ho crap. I started watching your videos because I was a 3d printer interested in silicone work. Now you're 3d printing and using lasers. I'm jealous! Your laser box is awesome, I can't wait to see what you start making with it. Cheers! and I can't wait for next week.

[@RobertTolone]

Lot’s of silicone and resin projects still to come! I’m adding the other processes like lasers and 3d printing to add to the fun.

[@ArcticFlies56]

Bob, you’re a handy guy to have around. I wasn’t to thrilled with all the 3-D printers but after watching this video I can definitely see possibilities for having them in the studio. That 3-D air adaptor fit great. Having a laser printer is a good idea as well. Of course you have to be kind of handy to get it all out together. Best regards, Richard

[@danholzer4626]

thank you mr.Tolone!

[@roninjotatan]

wow mic sounds really good during the voice over. great video

[@RobertTolone]

Shure mic plugged into my iphone. I use Rode wireless mics for live talking.

[@zapatex1]

hi , your youtube channel is amazing , that is exactly what i was looking for, to learn a little about this craft , thanks for your dedication and for sharing your experience

[@RobertTolone]

Thanks!

[@zapatex1]

hi @@RobertTolone i sent you an email if you have time , please check it out, very important to me your feedback ... thanks in advance

[@fuzzpuppets]

Great timing! I just got my laser setup as well. I have experience with high-end systems, but these DIY models are quite impressive. I look forward to seeing what you do with it! Have fun, take care.

[@RobertTolone]

What are you planning to use your Laser for Larry?

[@fuzzpuppets]

@@RobertTolone various prototyping projects, custom packaging for my custom toys/figures. The usual gifts and such. I have some ideas for creating layered versions of my artwork as well.

[@BillHerzig]

Robert, This is probably the best enclosure I have seen, as well as one of the best videos. I would love to build something like this for my TS2, so i was wondering if you had any build plans available. Thanks

[@roger.agburn]

What a nice box. WITH LEDs !! Next project then a vacuum box for circuit board printing? ;) Nice video!

[@RobertTolone]

I know basically nothing about electronics. 😭

[@chartle1]

@@RobertTolone actually there is a way to use the laser to make circuit boards. You spray paint the copper clad board with paint, laser off where you want to etch and them use the etching chemicals. Robert they is an art aspect to this I think lithographs are made that way.

[@RobertTolone]

@@chartle1 It would be very interesting to make art prints that way!

[@chartle1]

@@RobertTolone there is something called scratch paper that is a black coating on sort of psychedelic paper. You scratch off the coating but you can have the laser do it. You could paint something like metal with black and laser etch it off.

[@RobertTolone]

@@chartle1 We called it scratch board in art school and I still have my scratch stylus in a drawer somewhere. It would not have occurred to me to try the laser on scratch board but it’s a great idea! I will definitely add it to the list of materials to engrave. Thanks!

[@peircedan]

I'd like to have one of those some day. They are so much faster than 3d printing. The design department at work has one that did come with a full metal enclosure but cost big $$$. Keep an eye on it. If the laser lingers in one spot some materials can start to burn.

[@RobertTolone]

It is supposed to have flame detection but I will definitely keep an eye on it while it’s running.

[@robcarnaroli269]

I love the effort your putting into this. Oddly I just bought a cheap cnc/laser rig and my solution was to lean a piece of cardboard up against the table where it sits. I did order a proper enclosure but I wasn't up for the nuclear option of building my own, painting, etc. 🙂 Looking forward to your next videos. Also the workflow you use. I'm just learning but so far I do a lot of Gimp editing to lasergrbl for etching. I'm 5.5W so cutting isn't easy but is possible.

[@bonce]

Yes! You have a laser! Keep a few old big cardboard panels from boxes somewhere, making templates for things literally takes minutes. Why rely on careful measurements when you can smash something in inkscape (or any other vector design software), throw it at the laser and be done way faster than otherwise. There's loads of use cases for a laser, I've used mine way more than my 3D Printer, way more. It's just so much faster when you're throwing ideas around. What I do is buy in a box of pre-cut 3mm A4 sheets of birch plywood, measure the average width (current box is 3.3 mm) and I can make up complicated 3d objects by making 3.3mm tab holes for the different pieces to fit into and slap in some wood glue to tie it.

[@RobertTolone]

Yeah, something tells me this laser is gonna come in mighty handy.

[@kaioken654]

That's pretty dang cool

[@CarterSchonwald]

One possibly important thing to check with those angle brackets you use underneath is whether or not they’re zinc plated (as many types of cheap steel objects are). Zinc vaporizes at like 500f and zinc oxide fumes (which look like a bright white smoke) can cause metal fume fever. Granted you’ve got a air evacuation setup so it’s probably fine.

[@RobertTolone]

Just my luck I’ll have to tear the whole thing out! 😳😭. We’ll see if I generate toxic fumes. Thanks for the alert!

[@CarterSchonwald]

Glad I can help. Look up metal fume fever. Also can happen from heating up brass and inhaling the zinc oxide fumes there too. Your mold making videos are a genuine treasure of good resources! I’m actually planning to make some silicone objects with fdm molds in the near future!

[@RobertTolone]

@@CarterSchonwald Some interesting mold projects are coming up. Looking forward to them!

[@technofeeliak]

See, I have to build a room inside a room for my project space and audio recording studio setup. So ventilation is a concern. Especially since I'll be soldering electronics too.

[@graealex]

The part used to connect the hose is literally just a few bucks, they're wildly used in pneumatics, as they can stand up to 10 bar. You just need the outer diameter of the hose (this one looked like 6mm), and the thread type that screws into the aquarium pump (1/8 maybe). And then you can get straight or L-shaped pieces that will screw into your pump (use Teflon tape if leaking) and you can just push the hose in. Oh, and you push down on the ring to release the hose again.

[@RobertTolone]

Good info Alexander. Thanks!

[@graealex]

@@RobertTolone "FESTO" connector is the usual name, although you can buy non-branded ones. For the hoses, the outer diameter is calibrated, and is made of hard plastic. If you need more hose length.

[@chartle1]

@@RobertTolone they are the same type of fitting that your 3d printer uses for the bowden tube. You probably have extras but they will have a 6 or 10 mm metric straight thread.

[@graealex]

@@chartle1 You're right, they are inappropriating them for the bowden systems in 3D printers, and I wouldn't trust those to carry any significant pressure after a few years. Also, the tubes they are using are made from Teflon, which isn't the right material for air applications and might not have proper calibrated outer diameter for a good seal. Anyway, they're pretty common, even the name-brand FESTO ones aren't particularly expensive.

[@chartle1]

@@graealex I've been following 3D printing for a long time and the entire industry at least started as a hack. I recall an early DIY machine that used a CNC controlled hot melt glue gun using really long glue sticks printing a very rough bust of Abraham Lincoln. I think the diameter of the filament comes from plastic welding rods.

[@RichardThompsonCA]

Great video! 3d printers are pretty handy aren't they? I made the same sort of flange with one for my airbrush fume extractor.

[@anon_y_mousse]

You bother removing the labels? My dad would love you. If I make the effort I'll just sand it off, usually with something powered. I love the cutting bed, using the drywall corner bead to aerate. I can't think of an easier way to do it and I'll definitely need to keep that trick in mind.

[@RobertTolone]

Do you know what really peels labels off with zero work? Gasket remover. I got out my can only to find that the nozzle was clogged so I had to switch to the less efficient acetone. Time to get some more gasket remover!

[@anon_y_mousse]

@@RobertTolone Interesting, there seems to be no end to glue destroying chemicals.

[@chartle1]

You are probably going to out grow that laser quickly. I've played with diode lasers from a 1 "watt" box laser to a 7 "watt" gantry similar to this one. I use quotes because watts for diodes don't match watts in CO2 lasers. Not sure what power that is but my diodes didn't cut very well. I now have access to a 45 watt GlowForge. CO2s cut 1/4" plywood in one pass

[@NoTimeForThatNow]

That Cybertruck enclosure looks awesome! Looking forward to your future laser projects! I always end up with pieces of plexi that I don’t use but save because theyre too big to throw out or something. Then when I want to use it a year or twelve later, the paper is near impossible to remove. Have you found a way to remove the protective paper without damaging the plastic in a situation like that?

[@RobertTolone]

Haven’t had that problem in years… I don’t cut much acrylic anymore but I think I used acetone. Test it on a small piece though.

[@mfx1]

Put some adhesive lined heatshrink over the hose and brass fitting.

[@RobertTolone]

There are compression fittings available that will mate those parts. I just need to order one. But the heat sink idea is a good workaround for the time being

[@sock501]

Do you have any videos of your past performances? I’m a professional lighting designer and I *love* working on and watching circus almost as much as I love your videos!

[@RobertTolone]

Thanks for watching my videos. It’s very cool that you’re a lighting designer. The contortionist thing was just a bad joke. My body has all the flexibility of a concrete block! 😳😩😀

[@jasonrobinson252]

What a cool build! Where the heck do you put all your gear? Maybe almost time for another shop tour ;)

[@RobertTolone]

I’m fortunate to have a lot of space because I work out of an old warehouse.

[@jeffhudson33]

Great video. Did you basically leave the front of the enclosure open? Wondering how it performs as far as extracting fumes and preventing them from entering the room.

[@RobertTolone]

I will evaluate the smoke extraction once the laser is operating. I am prepared to block all or part of the front panel as needed. Maybe with something as simple as a cloth cover. I like the front opening because I can load and reach into the machine without having to lift the lid.

[@jeffhudson33]

@@RobertTolone yes...you'll definitely need some intake so partial blockage or as you say cloth/mesh may do the trick. I'm still waiting for my TS2 to be delivered. It will be my first laser machine. I hadn't really thought much about an enclosure as there are aftermarket enclosures as well as a TwoTrees OEM enclosure available...unfortunately none of them fit the larger TS2. You'd think they'd manufacture an appropriately sized enclosure and perhaps it's in the works. I like your design. Simple and functional. You should consider marketing both the plans and a knocked down kit ready for assembly.

[@RobertTolone]

@@jeffhudson33 My current problem is that my computer can’t see the laser because (I believe) of a CH340 driver issue. I haven’t been able to locate the driver for Windows 11.

[@jeffhudson33]

@@RobertTolone I hope I don't have the same issue, as I'm also running Windows 11.

[@levinebette15]

So you built some of the “optional” equipment so you can work this?

[@RobertTolone]

Too cheap to buy it as usual.

[@chartle1]

Is that plexiglass the proper 405 to 450 uM (?) laser blocking material or just red. I own a few diode lasers and have looked into shielding.

[@RobertTolone]

Supposed to be for lasers but I’m wearing the glasses anyway.

[@chartle1]

@@RobertTolone 👍

[@renzo962]

Do you know that you are reviewing a product from a company with devious practice. TS2 module is SOLD OUT but you can still go to their website and buy it without notification of the situation or notifying you that your shipping time will be significant affected, but your credit card will be immediately charge for it.

[@RobertTolone]

Good to know. It has not been a positive experience working with TwoTrees. I will not put a link to this company’s sale page or give the laser a positive review.

[@RobertTolone]

Do you know of any place where I can find similar complaints as yours?

[@renzo962]

No I don't. I only can validate what I am experience. I purchased this printer 08/28 and I contact Customer Service to get status of the order. Very vague responds, they are repeating that " awaiting fulfillment " but like I said, you can go and purchase one without any notification that it is sold out. The US and EU are the largest buying market in the world, and it is time that we ask these companies to stop doing commerce this way. If you want to do business here threat as with respect. What about if was the other way around and will be uncertainty on when our payments will to their account. Do you think that they will continue to do business. We are accepting their practices like normal. I'm not naive but we have to start somewhere. Their many companies to choose from and they have to earn our purchases. At the time of my purchase, I would it like to have known that was a delay on shipping to make an educated decision. Thanks for Your interest in this matter, I highly appreciate all your videos.

[@RobertTolone]

@@renzo962 Thanks, I will pass your comments on to them. (Not sure that they care what I think) 😳 But it’s good to give feedback.

[@Ziplock9000]

None of this video was "Setting Up A Two Trees TS2 Laser" lol

[@Jkauppa]

or just throw the machine "outside" :)

[@Jkauppa]

chemist fume hood pipe outside

[@RobertTolone]

If I had an outdoor work space it would come in handy!

[@pyalot]

I wish people would stop giving these open frame uncontrolled toxic fume and blindness generators any air time.

[@RobertTolone]

I agree. That’s why I made a video about putting the laser in a contained box with a fume ventilation system. I wouldn’t even start the laser without it. Also, NEVER turn the laser on without good quality safety glasses on. These are serious machines with the capacity to injure or blind someone in a instant.

[@jjfe73]

Clicked the affiliate link to try to check this out. Trend micro flagged it as a malicious link. Just wanted to give you a heads up on that, whether you want to look into that, contact trend micro to get cleared.

[@RobertTolone]

That’s really annoying. Sorry. I’ll notify Zbanx and take the link down. Thanks for the heads up.