Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise Hi all, Thanks to all the kind folks who bought RepRap parts and kits from me I was able to order a Laser Cutter :) BuWahahahaha! /* Doctor Evil Pinkie Finger warning_display_large.jpg mod_embed_images_loadimage('a39e0772fbf1d608f56d21324f8b3f9b', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?1,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fthingiverse-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Frenders%2F68%2F73%2Ff0%2F34%2Fa6%2Fwarning_display_large.jpg', 'http://thingiverse-production.s3.amazonaws.com/renders/68/73/f0/34/a6/warning_display_large.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?1,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fthingiverse-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Frenders%2F68%2F73%2Ff0%2F34%2Fa6%2Fwarning_display_large.jpg', '', 180700, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); I scraped and saved and then bit the bullet and ordered a 5th Gen Full Spectrum Hobby Laser B) Truth is that I have spent so much time working this Half/Full-Time Hobby/Job (on top of a full time Space Systems Masters Degree) that I barely know what I will do with it when it gets here in a month or so ;) I thought I would call on my Maker/RepRap brothers for inspiration: What are the best, coolest, newest RepRap / 3D Printer items one can make with a laser cutter? What are some cool things in general that you would make with a laser cutter if you had access to one? What mind-blowing/cool/tough items could someone make that require access to both a laser cutter and a 3D Printer? Are Laser Cut extruders and/or wooden gears (ala Ultimaker or PrinterBot) any good? Finally, the Bonus Question: If you could build a Laser Cutter from laser cut parts, would you consider that device to be a RepRap? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180700#msg-180700 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:05:00 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,183467#msg-183467 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,183467#msg-183467 -------------------------------------------------------
> No real commercial aspirations for at least 3+
> years. I am tied to my current line of work for
> now.
>
> The laser cutter is pretty much something I have
> wanted to help me fuel my "Maker" passions for a
> while now. I almost can't believe I actually made
> it this far and ordered it :)
>
> At $3.5K ($4k+ with water cooler and accessories
> etc) she is a pricey toy to have "Hobby" in the
> title ;)
>
> Then again, Epilogue Zing Lasers start around $8k
> I believe.
>
> God willing, this laser will strike the balance
> between reliability and not costing $12k+ ;)

Just for fun, I added all of thier options to the cart and the price came to just over $10,000 for one of these units...
I never feel comfortable buying something where all of their options are rounded of to the nearest $50. It's just a bit too suspicious for my likeing.

Still, I hope it works out for you and that you have fun with it.]]> Tekwizard General Sat, 09 Feb 2013 17:13:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182975#msg-182975 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182975#msg-182975 Greg Frost General Fri, 08 Feb 2013 02:11:44 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182971#msg-182971 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182971#msg-182971
Works, but is meant to replace by printed parts, as the plywood will wear out or break sometimes ...]]> VDX General Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:53:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182940#msg-182940 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182940#msg-182940 Idolcrasher General Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:26:36 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182578#msg-182578 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182578#msg-182578 Anonymous User General Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:14:38 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182094#msg-182094 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,182094#msg-182094
ohioplastics Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > CO2's wear out. Glass gets coated, if DC the
> electrodes wear out, the optics get dirty/burned
> and fatigued. The power supplies, cooling are the
> killers for cost. The lasers are HORRIBLY
> inefficient.
>
> I would have to whole heartedly disagee. I've been
> cutting and engraving with my CO2 lasers for years
> and they are my bread and butter. Especially with
> acrylic and wood, they make economic sense. If
> your looking to build a business, with the least
> amount of capital and the highest potential
> profit, get a laser.]]> anode505 General Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:46:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181555#msg-181555 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181555#msg-181555
and good call on the pi cases John. I need a pi case for myself as well now that you mention it :)

I could see the value in cutting printer sets. I think i like the idea of cutting extruders even more.

It seems that there are not an overwhelming number of folks with RepRaps that also have access to laser cutters. I have not been able to gather a consensus on what people think of laser cut extruders; but I imagine that they could work nicely.]]> Idolcrasher General Sat, 02 Feb 2013 22:57:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181550#msg-181550 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181550#msg-181550
Definately should cut some pi cases, everyone seems to have a pi, and i'm really surprised at the lack of designs for cases out there!]]> johnoly99 General Sat, 02 Feb 2013 22:08:45 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181534#msg-181534 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181534#msg-181534
]]> Anonymous User General Sat, 02 Feb 2013 20:11:36 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181442#msg-181442 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181442#msg-181442 -------------------------------------------------------
> wobble-bot lol


it really is, the x axis only has 2 lm8uu's on it, and pretty much wobble from the start, and the y axis wiggles left and right when it goes forwards and backwards, even with all that i still got half decent prints off it, while it lasted]]> thejollygrimreaper General Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:55:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181438#msg-181438 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181438#msg-181438 Idolcrasher General Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:48:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181337#msg-181337 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181337#msg-181337 -------------------------------------------------------
> any recommendations on building a business with a
> laser?


I would start with cutting out ultimakers replicators,thingomatics and cupcakes(yes i'm serious ) and the printrbot series(yes i know it's a wobblebot) plus as many of the others that files exist for,

after that maybe acrylic extruders? acrylic/plywood spool holders,]]> thejollygrimreaper General Sat, 02 Feb 2013 01:53:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181336#msg-181336 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181336#msg-181336 Idolcrasher General Sat, 02 Feb 2013 01:38:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181320#msg-181320 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181320#msg-181320
Quote
anode505
CO2's wear out. Glass gets coated, if DC the electrodes wear out, the optics get dirty/burned and fatigued. The power supplies, cooling are the killers for cost. The lasers are HORRIBLY inefficient.
I would have to whole heartedly disagee. I've been cutting and engraving with my CO2 lasers for years and they are my bread and butter. Especially with acrylic and wood, they make economic sense. If your looking to build a business, with the least amount of capital and the highest potential profit, get a laser.]]> Anonymous User General Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:23:02 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181316#msg-181316 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181316#msg-181316
CO2's wear out. Glass gets coated, if DC the electrodes wear out, the optics get dirty/burned and fatigued. The power supplies, cooling are the killers for cost. The lasers are HORRIBLY inefficient. But fun to see them cut through 3/4" (19mm) stainless steel.

I would look at Yags and the new fiber lasers for hobby/small shop.
(well I'd just buy a bag of bones from one of my customers and rebuild it if I had the room/power, but that's me)]]> anode505 General Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:11:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181242#msg-181242 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,181242#msg-181242
I believe the 4th Gen FSL Hobby Cutter had a 10,000 hr tube life. I read on the FSL forums that the 5th gen tube was manufactured according to requirements they put forth.

Now that you mention it, I could use a filament spool for my upcoming RepRap build ;)]]> Idolcrasher General Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:32:33 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180831#msg-180831 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180831#msg-180831
Do the Co2 lasers have a life-time of use? and if so how long and how much do they cost to replace?

I bet you could make a decent laser-cut spool holder for all that loose filament we keep on buying (:D - that may help it pay for itself :D

And yes, one should consider a laser cutter device - that could cut another laser cutter (minus laser, elec, motors etc.) no different to a RepRap 3D printer, so yes, it's a RepRap.

Have fun, and do show us what you ended up doing with it.]]> richrap General Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:46:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180817#msg-180817 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180817#msg-180817 akhlut General Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:42:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180737#msg-180737 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180737#msg-180737
Now this changed - I have some proffessional laser- , positioning- and CNC-equipent at home, orignally worth some tens to hundreds k€ -- but until now didn'tt find the time/organisation to get this working on regular basis ... tests and prototyping was successfull, but all the bits needs some 'focussing' to get ready :S]]> VDX General Thu, 31 Jan 2013 02:47:41 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180723#msg-180723 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180723#msg-180723
The laser cutter is pretty much something I have wanted to help me fuel my "Maker" passions for a while now. I almost can't believe I actually made it this far and ordered it :)

At $3.5K ($4k+ with water cooler and accessories etc) she is a pricey toy to have "Hobby" in the title ;)

Then again, Epilogue Zing Lasers start around $8k I believe.

God willing, this laser will strike the balance between reliability and not costing $12k+ ;)]]> Idolcrasher General Thu, 31 Jan 2013 02:14:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180717#msg-180717 Re: Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180717#msg-180717
Have got one of this cheapish chinese 40W-CO2-lasercutters (normal price around $800) as exchange for a spare lasercut 'wood'-mendel frame and have now sourced all the parts and bits for replacing the original motherboard (and the awfull "MoshiDraw-left"-software) by a ArduinoMega and RepRap-software (or Isel-CNC-controller and the Isel-software with modied PP's) ... and two microstepping drivers with much higher resolution than the original ones ...]]> VDX General Thu, 31 Jan 2013 02:00:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180700#msg-180700 Cool Items To Laser Cut :)-D RepRap and Otherwise https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,180700,180700#msg-180700
Thanks to all the kind folks who bought RepRap parts and kits from me I was able to order a Laser Cutter :)

BuWahahahaha! /* Doctor Evil Pinkie Finger



I scraped and saved and then bit the bullet and ordered a 5th Gen Full Spectrum Hobby Laser B)

Truth is that I have spent so much time working this Half/Full-Time Hobby/Job (on top of a full time Space Systems Masters Degree) that I barely know what I will do with it when it gets here in a month or so ;)

I thought I would call on my Maker/RepRap brothers for inspiration:

What are the best, coolest, newest RepRap / 3D Printer items one can make with a laser cutter?

What are some cool things in general that you would make with a laser cutter if you had access to one?

What mind-blowing/cool/tough items could someone make that require access to both a laser cutter and a 3D Printer?

Are Laser Cut extruders and/or wooden gears (ala Ultimaker or PrinterBot) any good?

Finally, the Bonus Question: If you could build a Laser Cutter from laser cut parts, would you consider that device to be a RepRap?
]]> Idolcrasher General Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:34:13 -0500