So, my wife surprised me yesterday and said she is thinking of getting my a laser engraver. Anyone use one? I am leaning towards the Ortur 2 Pro S2 and light burn, and then get the cylindrical addition. Light burn seems to be the software of choice. I have been secretly looking at lasers lol. I foresee just using it to engrave wood, glass and such.
 

opinions? 
 

Gene wasn’t sure if I should post here or in CNC….My apologies if I picked wrong.

No problem, Kev. I moved it.

I use an Ortur but, highly modified. The laser module was changed to a Neje 40 watt to give greater cutting depth capability and faster engraving. Air assist was added. And, 3D printed legs to make using the rotary tool easier and, to make room for different types of beds. 

I highly recommend viewing The Louisiana Hobby Guy channel on You Tube. His tutorials...especially  his Lightburn ones are invaluable. He also has some tips about Ortur's roller. Plus, all sorts of other laser topics. Be prepared, he has a massive amount of info.

Good luck. You should really enjoy your new tool!

Thanks Gene. I found The Louisiana Hobby guy last and subscribed. I agree a lot of good information.

I have the desktop 15w Ortur (no longer available).Still learning a lot about it. I only use it for engraving my signature and custom messages- no cutting.

 

I use Adobe Photoshop to create the engraved images and Lasergrbl as the laser software. I tried Lightburn but found that by using Photoshop, I didn't need all of the options available for what I do.  

 

Member @forty_caliber has a laser but I haven't seen him around for a while.

 

Keep us poste on how it's going!!

Thanks. She is talking for Father’s Day so just trying to get ducks in a row when she will pull the trigger 😉

On 5/15/2022 at 10:40 AM, lew said:

I have the desktop 15w Ortur (no longer available).Still learning a lot about it. I only use it for engraving my signature and custom messages- no cutting.

 

I use Adobe Photoshop to create the engraved images and Lasergrbl as the laser software. I tried Lightburn but found that by using Photoshop, I didn't need all of the options available for what I do.  

 

Member @forty_caliber has a laser but I haven't seen him around for a while.

 

Keep us poste on how it's going!!

My ears were burning Lew!  I have a 50watt Otur and use LightBurn with it.  I can get it to do what I need most of the time but it seems like a fight sometimes.

 

The real trick is getting the laser to cut/burn where you want it to.   Make a mark in the center of the bowl while still on the lathe as a reference.  Use the step controls to move the laser to that mark before cutting.  Don't forget to focus the z axis as part of the set up.

 

.40

8 minutes ago, forty_caliber said:

My ears were burning Lew!  I have a 50watt Otur and use LightBurn with it.  I can get it to do what I need most of the time but it seems like a fight sometimes.

 

The real trick is getting the laser to cut/burn where you want it to.   Make a mark in the center of the bowl while still on the lathe as a reference.  Use the step controls to move the laser to that mark before cutting.  Don't forget to focus the z axis as part of the set up.

 

.40

You have a 50 watt, ortur? 

7 hours ago, forty_caliber said:

My ears were burning Lew!  I have a 50watt Otur and use LightBurn with it.  I can get it to do what I need most of the time but it seems like a fight sometimes.

 

The real trick is getting the laser to cut/burn where you want it to.   Make a mark in the center of the bowl while still on the lathe as a reference.  Use the step controls to move the laser to that mark before cutting.  Don't forget to focus the z axis as part of the set up.

 

.40

Thanks Forty_caliber. I have it down to Ortur pro 2 and the X Tool D1. I will be using light burn. Ever etch glass? 

10 hours ago, KevTN said:

Ever etch glass? 

 

Oh, you are playing with fire here Kevin.  Be careful - it can be addicting!

On 5/15/2022 at 9:52 AM, Gene Howe said:

No problem, Kev. I moved it.

I use an Ortur but, highly modified. The laser module was changed to a Neje 40 watt to give greater cutting depth capability and faster engraving. Air assist was added. And, 3D printed legs to make using the rotary tool easier and, to make room for different types of beds. 

I highly recommend viewing The Louisiana Hobby Guy channel on You Tube. His tutorials...especially  his Lightburn ones are invaluable. He also has some tips about Ortur's roller. Plus, all sorts of other laser topics. Be prepared, he has a massive amount of info.

Good luck. You should really enjoy your new tool!

Do you like the Ortur rotary tool Gene?

11 minutes ago, Cal said:

 

Oh, you are playing with fire here Kevin.  Be careful - it can be addicting!

Lol I am sure but thinking of Christmas gifts. My wife’s side of the family are big wine drinkers…so thinking of personalizing some wine glasses for them.

18 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

You have a 50 watt, ortur? 

Yes, it was an optional $100+ upgrade when I bought it.  I don't see it listed on their website anymore.

 

.40

11 hours ago, KevTN said:

Thanks Forty_caliber. I have it down to Ortur pro 2 and the X Tool D1. I will be using light burn. Ever etch glass? 

Never tried it myself but saw a video about it on YT.  It required some kind of consumable transfer paper for it to work as I remember. Reminded me of typewriters and carbon paper. 

 

.40

21 hours ago, forty_caliber said:

Make a mark in the center of the bowl while still on the lathe as a reference.  Use the step controls to move the laser to that mark before cutting.

One of the things I liked about LaserGrbl was the ability to have the software locate the center of the burn and position the laser accordingly. I made a photoshop template marking the center of the laser's working area and then use it to design any engraving pattern.

 

All this may be possible with LightBurn, I just didn't investigate enough to know.

Well pulled the trigger and bought the Xtool D1 with the RA2 Pro rotary. For those who have the Ortur system this will work with it. Looking forward to see what fun it can bring. Here is a little YT video on the RA2. Not the best but give an idea. 

 

 

I have no idea what all that meant, other than it's a new tool! Congrats!

Nice!

Sweet. Looking forward to your start-up, assessment, usage and just having fun with it Kevin. Keep us posted.

5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

have no idea what all that meant, other than it's a new tool! Congrats!

Oh, crikey! Now I HAVE to possess one. All it took was the video (mind control?). I picture etching crisp vector art designs on my shims and now wedges. 
 

A heart pine shim engraved as a business card. 👍

5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I have no idea what all that meant, other than it's a new tool! Congrats!

For cyclindrical items it offers a few different ways to hold the item and level it so the focal point is even giving a better result. LOL