Reclaimed Woodworking with a Laser! - 10 projects

[@alanm3438]

Even though your video is two years old, I love it. I used to run a old laser at a small steel fabrication shop. Now I have a CNC plasma cutter at home. I recycle scraps of steel from work. I love that you do a lot of recycle yourself. I have always wanted to have a home laser but the cost is a little high. Now that I do not have a job, impossible. I love your excitement. There was a learning curb with my CNC but I am doing better. I am a slow learner.

[@m7alan7johnson7]

"Good People are Good People." and you, Tim...are Good People. Thanks for such a neat video.

[@ShadowRockers]

Love your approach, and you're like me, trying out ideas on scraps whether or not they work. Laser life is a fun adventure! I enjoy making bookmarks out of toothpaste boxes, because they have some color and sparkle pop on one side. I look forward to seeing more of your ideas put to wood. 💯🤙🤟

[@Batti2323]

I love seeing the creative ways you can use a laser. I would be interested in a VLOG on your approach to sponsors.

[@timsway]

Cheers! I think I may

[@ARTWITHMRHODES]

I loved your video and your projects are so much more sophisticated then what I normally see. I’m an elementary STEAM art teacher and finished setting up my K40 last night. I want my students learn that art can go beyond traditional mediums and the laser is a great tool for this. Once I figure out the laser I will be setting up the kit CNC router for the kids to design for. Thanks for giving me inspiration!

[@timsway]

Thanks for writing. Teach the kids to try everything!!! :)

[@ARTWITHMRHODES]

You got it!

[@pureb100ds]

Tim, thanks for making this video. I use a laser every day at work (at a trophy shop) for years and have hit a wall with things I can do with it. This video has inspired me to do so much more with them now. Thanks!

[@timsway]

wow. awesome! I think I've barely scratched the surface with it, too. Once we start thinking beyond engraving (and start thinking about assembling precision-cut parts) it's a whole new world.

[@johnhartley3596]

You’ve come a long way over the years while maintaining your philosophy on the importance of using reclaimed materials. ✌🏻

[@timsway]

thank you! I'm trying! :)

[@normjacques6853]

Hey Tim....Here's something for you to look forward to: My 'kids' are now 34 and 32! As they were growing up (and as often as I can now), I tried to share as much as possible with them. In my case, that was a weird combination of electronics, woodworking, and mechanical 'stuff.' Now, however, I find the tables often turned and I learn as much from them as they once did from me!! I can't begin to tell you how gratifying and satisfying that is....and 30-odd years later, the relationships continue to deepen! That does an old man's rotten old heart worlds of good that I struggle to describe. Your little guy very obviously *wants* to be there, and also very obviously enjoys being with dad! That tells me that you're doing all the right things!! Applause, my friend!! :-)

[@timsway]

I always say that I don't want Vance to follow in my footsteps, I want to follow in his!

[@russdixon614]

Who'd have thought i would come back to this video over 3 years later having just bought a laser... 8-)

[@vladimirHarkonenn]

"good people are good people..." Well said Sir

[@timsway]

A few emails in to this deal, I realized I wasn't talking with a "Chinese company", I was talking to Amy - and she is way cooler than some of the American company reps I've dealt with! I didn't realize I had my own set of built-in prejudices and misconceptions. I felt it important to fess up! Where you are from doesn't make you who you are.

[@patprop74]

i have to give you props for the door recycling! not many people know how thin doors actually are in most cases anyways

[@timsway]

Cheers. I have a whole series of glow core door vids. Mostly guitars. Search #HollowCoreDoorsAreTheNewPallet:)

[@patprop74]

@@timsway hahaha That good!! the new pallets, I like that, Those pallet projects drive me crazy being a woodworker! I can't stand it when a client walks in the door with her phone and shows me a photo of a crapy pallets made things and ask me how much! ok, no more pallet ranting lol might trigger another pallet market craze.

[@MrWardo2012]

Someone might have said this, sorry if they did... make a program to etch the center hole. Put the record on the etch, then run the cut program. The laser is awesome! Good video, thanks

[@timsway]

that is a real good idea. burn a piece of tape on the bed. What I came up with is i have an 18" L square that I put on the bed and zero the laser to the intersection. then I butt the record up against the square. this works well.

[@JohnMadeit]

That was a great story of your journey with new age technology. Watching you video just reminds me there are Still people doing good in the world.

[@timsway]

thank you!!

[@leilaconnolly-standring9422]

I love your video! I have had a lot of experiential learning...I learnt the vinyl record corrosion sadly the horrible way...opening up and then having a mahusive scrubbing session!

[@tawnydannybell2617]

Really enjoined your video. Thank you for sharing.

[@sgsax]

Hope you're nice to all those robots you have working in your shop now. :) More seriously, new fancy tools just means more ideas for things to make with them. Thanks for sharing!

[@timsway]

If the robots rebel, they've got me cornered!

[@GregsGarage]

Looks like an awesome machine. Its cool to see your creativity coupled with a great tool.

[@timsway]

Thanks. I'm working on a large project of multiples and it has been so nice having the machine running in the background while I do other things. It's good for that, too.

[@V8ToYy]

new fan from New Zealand for the great video and ideas but also the fact you support rugby! i do the same laser work on reclaimed native woods here!

[@FutureLaugh]

glow forge is awesome because it takes a photo of the media so you can never make a mistake

[@grootjnr]

Hey, great video man. Thanks. I love the Fish , reallly my cup of tea.

[@413DaveRN]

Your creativity is always an inspiration. And I'm not just being nice because you have a friggin' laser beam! The range on it can't be that far can it? I think I'll keep a look out for a strange glow from Connecticut just in case...

[@timsway]

You'll never be safe from me and my LASER, Mr. Bondwith!!! Now if you'll please just step over here and put your hand right there in this machine, now hold still while I calibrate it...

[@JuusoKolehmainen]

My kind of producer 👌 huge respect for recycling wood! I do this myself also and i very rarely end up buying material for my work... I upcycled my old sofa and made a wooden necklace to independence day reception... It was funny to see my old sofa in television when the person who wore it shaked hand with the president haha

[@NicholasGomez]

Super awesome Tim! Thanks for sharing!!

[@timsway]

thanks bro!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome stuff Tim! 👍🏻👊🏻 ..... Perhaps over time as you laser cut various letters of different sizes, with a little extra pre-planning, you can amass a fairly substantial stencil collection along the way, putting to use even more of the material or potentially creating additional products to sell and/or hand out at shows/meetups.... 🤔

[@timsway]

excellent idea. I save the waste side of my cnc and laser projects all the time just because they look so cool! Usually there isn't much to save because I try to cut stuff out tight together with little waste. But I hadn't thought of building a stencil library. that's a good idea!

[@matthodek]

reclaimed guitar picks could also be a fun thing to explore.

[@timsway]

yes!

[@fraserstevenson6439]

Hey Tim, You want to watch when laser cutting artificial leathers. It's like pleather and vinyl, which also contains chlorine. Look for chlorine free when sourcing. :)

[@RichardMartin]

I really, really want a laser now. Such a cool machine, great to see how you’ve expanded your skill set. Cheers Tim!

[@timsway]

I start down the digital making road reluctantly, but now I'm totally gung-ho about it.

[@ruftime]

Sub’d ! Just building a 75 watt laser this week, thank you for the great ideas!

[@timsway]

cool!

[@WayofWood]

Some cool ideas. If you want to laser records have a look for old school shellack records. They smell badly but are not toxic...

[@timsway]

cheers! I have some old 78s that i believe are shellac. they are a little thicker but more brittle. Sound right?

[@WayofWood]

tim sway They should be heavy and quite brittle. If you drop it and it’s destroyed it was a shellack record. 😏

[@timsway]

@@WayofWood yup!

[@brianmaynard4836]

Tim, great video - very informative.

[@timsway]

thanks!

[@jimmyfavereau]

A great video all around Tim. Thanks a bunch... as I build a 100w system, I ponder the ways to be more creative lol. A gibson ES-335 style build is on my bucket list for sure. Hope you and the gang are doing well. :D

[@SMee67]

That's thinking on ya feet, mate👍 That faux leather lace looked pretty schmicko👌

[@timsway]

cheers. It's fun stuff to play with. I have another project for carolina coming with it :)

[@SMee67]

@@timsway looking forward to it, bud.

[@oojagapivy]

Super jealous but great to see the stuff you're doing with reclaimed material and new tech. Budget and red-tape will be stopping me from getting a laser for my school thanks to Dept of Ed contract items that cost a butt-load of money that my faculty does not have.

[@timsway]

Cheers. Your school has a cnc now, tho, correct? If not, the school is doing its students a disservice by teaching only last century's tech to tomorrows creators and they need to re-prioritize. Put the boss on the phone with me, I'll set him straight! LOL

[@oojagapivy]

tim sway we’ve got 2 cnc metal lathes that came with the construction of our metals trade facility. Apparently 1 was supposed to be a mill but an order got mixed up. Neither are running and not getting a great deal of support from the manufacturer. The cheapest cnc router approved by DET costs $25k. Cheapest laser $19k. The boss was keen on the laser till he heard the price. $19k is more than my yearly budget.

[@CK_Robert]

How much would the desktop laser go for? trying to get some info from their website.. not that easy. I have a small shop for wood working.. it would be a nice addition to my shop. Cheers

[@timsway]

most of their machines are larger amd designed for industrial use, like mine, but they do make a large desktop (which is still very industrial). www.thunderlaserusa.com/nova24-laser-engraver-cutter/ Email [e-mail] and tell him I sent you. Alternatively if you're going to only use it occasionally, there are a lot of less expensive smaller machines out there, but they require a little more effort on your part to get them running and do the work, plus there's no support, etc.

[@Makebuildmodify]

That's super nice laser! Must be nice.....I wouldn't know...

[@timsway]

haha! how you been, man! We need to get a Skype going. It's been forever!

[@Makebuildmodify]

@@timsway I've been well. Things are good too. A Skype call would be great! When's your next recording?

[@timsway]

@@Makebuildmodify good question! our schedule has been nutso. Hopefully Monday night?

[@dasfreakster]

Just found your channel. Love it. I'm new to woodworking and laser cutting. My first machine will be here in a couple of days. Just curious, what was the red/green light on your laser machine? Is it to indicate that the laser is in use? If so, do you have a video about the install?

[@timsway]

My laser came with the light already on. It just turns red if something goes wrong (like the lid opens during operation or whatever).

[@vitalolhar]

Caution with faux leather too. It releases poison fumes when laser cutter too. I saw a few dangerous things in this video. Not good for people that are starting with a laser cutter. A revision of advice and suggestion in content would be nice

[@garagemonkeysan]

Doors are the new pallet. 8:48 Wait, why do you still have a child's car seat in your truck? : ) Awesome video, so many great ideas and so much wisdom. Good people are good people. : )

[@timsway]

ha! Good eye. It's a car seat/booster seat that I still make Vance squeeze in to when we are in my truck for a little extra safety. He's about 2lbs shy of the cutoff weight now...

[@garagemonkeysan]

@@timsway Ah, I thought maybe Phil was visiting. : )

[@timsway]

HAHAHAHAH!

[@dimitrioslykissas7981]

Luring kids in the shop with the promise of making stuff, only to have them sand stuff. This should definitely count as child abuse! He does seem to be enjoying himself though ;) Oh, how I miss my dad's old workshop.

[@timsway]

hahahahaha! Hey, he got to wear the green glasses, too. AND I let hi sweep up... :)

[@myhoneyshandmade1077]

Just got a laser. Any tips for reducing soot on the edges so that Cleanup is easier? Any suggestions for cleaning soot off of the pieces once it is cut? Thanks.

[@timsway]

that darkened edge is a byproduct of laser cutting that, at least as far as I know, is pretty unavoidable when cutting wood. What I have found is to embrace it as part of the look and just leave it. If you handle the edges when it first comes off the laser you it seems to smudge and move, but I've found if you let it sit for a while it seems to do that less, resulting in me not needing to clean the edges up at all.

[@franksmodels29]

Very cool vid, great projects 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@timsway]

thank you Frank

[@drmrossing]

Where did you find the French curves?!?! I have a laser and I need those!

[@timsway]

I had to clean up the vectors a little and size them to suit my needs, but it only took a few minutes: cdn3.vectorstock.com/i/1000x1000/07/72/set-of-different-french-curves-vector-2030772.jpg

[@drmrossing]

@@timsway Awesome! thanks

[@Ph0t0bug]

I know this vid is old and its great!! Wanted to let you know of a way to get free Acrylic.... old Laptops and flat screen monitors that are busted. Computer repair places throw them away. I have gotten 1/4” out of some of them.. VERY worth it if your into the acrylic cutting.

[@b-rad7708]

oh yes some realy decent stuff there, old plasma tv's and monitors all have that nice thick acrylic as well as optically pure glass if you separate and scrape the indium coating off of it.

[@RoseKindred]

Interesting video and very nice information. I looked at getting a Thunder Laser before but without the custom starting point (your record example) and cutting preview (a laser will trace the cutting path without cutting) I would be scared of wasting material with the machine. I just found your channel so I will browse more. Also, I do not know if you have learned this 'tip' yet but if you put transfer tape over the wood before cutting it will cut back on the burn-out (your fossil example).

[@timsway]

yes! sometimes I tape and modern and other versions of software should allow you to start where you want it. You can also set the start point anywhere in the field. SO nowadays what I do on tricky stuff is use the laser to draw the outline in a piece of scrap cardboard then place the object in the outline I just drew and start the file from the same location.

[@RoseKindred]

@@timsway That is a nice tip about scrap/repositioning. I did not know that the Thunder had a moveable start field. One more thing for me to consider than.

[@1010tesla]

why didn't you use the jig technique for centering the record? I make jigs out of cardboard taped to the bed all the time.

[@timsway]

that's what I've been doing for a lot of laser stuff since. I cut the profile onto a scrap cardboard piece than insert it the work. I wasn't figuring that out in my first weeks of laserin', like a fool

[@kalleaix6238]

what are your experiences in cutting vinyl records? dows it work good? i am using my cnc mill with a 1.5mm mill, but it is "a hard job" to hold the record on the ground and to protect the processing from melting plastic. so my idea is it to use a lasercutter with active suction.

[@timsway]

Lasers cut vinyl records very well and I do it all the time with high detail. you don't even need suction. But they release very dangerous gasses that can rust metal and make humans really sick. so you need to make sure you have a laser that is well vented outside your shop, wear a mask and stay away from it while it's cutting.

[@kalleaix6238]

tim sway thank you very much! My lasercutter will arrive until the weekend and I look forward to that new hobby-tool

[@jonwills4670]

Now I want a frickin laaaaaaaser! 👊🏻

[@timsway]

they are really cool.

[@STRETCHArtist]

Thanks for the Video. Are you using a Mac? With this software? Parallels? I’m researching for the chaotic stuff I make.

[@timsway]

No, PC seems to be the go-to still for most shop stuff and I don't really see any mac versions of the stuff I use. Although you can run windows on your mac to operate the software and other tricks. I found it better to buy a $500 pc for dedicated shop use, keeping the sawdust out of my $1500 mac

[@STRETCHArtist]

tim sway I agree. Have a pc hooked up to my CNC plasma and one for my CNC router. Having tough time making decision between the available laser machines.

[@timsway]

@@STRETCHArtist the cool thing about the thunderlaser is you can disconnect the computer from it and run the file, unlike cnc. It'll hold dozens of files in internal memory, so stuff you make often you can save in there.

[@JackmanWorks]

That fossil trick was slick. There might be some hope for you yet.

[@timsway]

You keep saying I'm a dinosaur...

[@rhysmassengill8758]

Hey! Just curious, how long did it take to complete cut/engrave this project. Just wondering how long that process actually takes. Thanks!

[@timsway]

I made 10 projects in the video, ranging in time and complexity. It's pretty fast for most things. Usually, the more power the faster/deeper you can go.

[@vishnutechseries9130]

Hiiii, what is the software you are using for designing

[@timsway]

I use vectric

[@shadowliving6858]

Love your presentation. Thanks for sharing. New Sub today.

[@sapelesteve]

Really cool stuff Tim. Loved the simplicity of that Guitar stand. I could put my guitar on it for permanent display since I'll never be able to play the freaking thing anyway (wink, wink!).

[@timsway]

I made a whole bunch of them. Next time I see you you can have one (but the ones I made only hold electrics, not acoustics)

[@stanleyshostak2737]

That makes me want to get a laser!!

[@timsway]

That's the idea! lol

[@billkaroly]

Check out Lightburn Software.

[@BigDaddyfromtheNati]

Since you have a Ruida/RDWorks controller, try Lightburnsoftware.com It's easier to use like Vectric's software and also runs your laser.

[@jasonpavry]

Laser festiool hippie. Tooo funny.

[@McAVITYourWay.]

I also used to have a hang up about goods from China, until I noticed my phone was made there, as are 90% of all phones including iPhone!! You son is to look a lot more like you!.........................poor lad :)

[@timsway]

Yea, the boy is definitely not the mailman's...

[@gregorywilkins1001]

These laser companies crack me up. They all think they can take $800 worth of parts, slap a one year warranty on it and charge you 8K.. Sir, if you bought this machine, you have been ripped off. Go but a cheap chinese 100watt for 1500, invest 500 in upgrades and you will have an equal or maybe better machine

[@timsway]

I didn't buy it but there is a little more to it than that.

[@gregorywilkins1001]

@@timsway i hear people say that but I look at the specs of these machines and they are all basic chinese cheapos.. Upgrade steppers, DSP, Laserhead... anyway, like the channel, glad you didnt buy

[@timsway]

@@gregorywilkins1001 all the upgrades plus upgraded a lot of little ease of use things that make this more of a factory grade machine. incredible customer service, too. But agrees, if you want to make some projects in your garage, you would probably be fine with anything. If you're looking to run it all day like an employee...

[@virtualfather]

So I may have watched all your videos. So when you start off with "You might not like this" a part of your mind starts scanning for the "not Like Parts" in other words you are opening Pandora's Box. One of your claims is that you are an avid re-cycler while sitting in front of a disposable product ... I am not attacking here, just staggering around looking for some comfort ... I literally have 20 + old computers, printers and scanners sitting in my office waiting to be up cycled, the thing is that the up cycling part is not keeping pace with the disposal pace. I kind of feel like the Elf like twin in the animation Wizards (you would totally love if you have not watched it) where as much as he seems to dislike technology in the end, it has a place. I am headed to 70 fast and having had my own computer full service company for the last 25 years and never really slowed down to think, just survive. Well needless to say the thinking part is still here and now at times it gets overwhelming in volume. It seems the little child in us is always excited about the NEW and get overwhelm by the JOY and not totally examining it in regards to the whole CARBON FOOTPRINT thing. My generation was brought up to be machines, your generation is being brought up to control the machines ... will Vance's generation be controlled by the machines ? So your video has succeeded in stimulating thought … well down ... my skill seems to be thinking or solution production ... So this week I found out China does not want to buy our garbage any more ... Recycled bails of plastic and paper are actually start to grow ... So it is unlikey that we are going to reduce our consumption ... so here is your oppurtunity to create a billion dollar empire with your KZbin friends ... Create a vending machine type enviroment that is 18 wheeler protalble ... it comes to town once a week like the Farmers Market ... RE-CYCLE LOCAL ... people bring down thier re-cycleables ... they get processed back in to useable raw materials GREAT LUCK ... Vance's future is literally in your hands amd mind.

[@timsway]

I LOVE your thoughts and ideas and I, too, think about this stuff as I'm sanding, etc. For clarity. I said it may not be for everyone... similar sentiment... I'm not religious, but I often think of the Jesus/Judas debate from the passion (at least, as told in Jesus Christ, Superstar ;): Judas is disappointed in Jesus for enjoying the luxury of washing his feet with smelly oils, or whatever was en vogue, 2k years ago. Jesus points out to Judas that he has some pretty nice clothes on while there are others with none, reminding him there will always be problems, suffering, etc., even if he gives all his clothes away and walks around naked. Most of my life I have been more like Judas, saving everything, sacrificing, scrounging, I still am. I am trying to have a larger vision by using my limited reach on KZbin to not be a zealot, laughed at for walking naked through the village and casting shame, but rather showing showing alternatives and inspiring others to think as they work. i am not going to stop the proliferation of gadgetry, but at least maybe I can encourage people to use it more wisely? If you haven't seen him, check out 'Precious Plastic' (google it). I think you'll love it. I started working with recyclable plastic with Vance a few years ago. Someone commented (paraphrased) "Maybe we shouldn't have our kids look at plastic as acceptable and unavoidable." I took it to heart and don't fire up the electric oven to melt HDPE anymore, but I still look for other uses to keep it from needing to be recycled (and to prevent the need for utilizing other materials) and I share it on KZbin for anyone who will listen or care, like you my friend. Thank you for listening and caring.

[@virtualfather]

@@timsway You are doing and excellant job. It is hard watch Jimmy bring really old treasures back to life, and it makes me wonder would Vances grandchild bring a Tunderlaser back to life? thanks Proud owner of a twice used SqWAYres limited time hope to be retired by July and then using it everyday ... You should be very proud of that tool I been hanging out on Yotube for over 5 years and other than a Jay Bates Tee shirt your tool is the only thing to part me and some of my cash thanks again

[@RomanovDR]

+

[@futhaiter366]

Annoying advertising for thunderlaser. Thats not worth it.