Yes I agree. And that’s my plan with building something Along the lines of what further fabrication built.
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I watched several videos of that same series. The guy did a great job.
Building one’s own DIY can be a satisfying project, or a nightmare, depending on one’s goals (the build journey as important as the result, or not, the possible PR plus for a maker channel on YouTube, or not, and whether saving a few dollars is worth a mountain of work and hours, or not, etc). I say ‘nightmare’ because it could wind up costing almost as much as a “buy” instead of “build” and it might not work as well as a store bought one.
I build things, for sure. But when it came to CO2 laser, I bought (a refurb, to save money). I got an amazing, 100W CO2 laser, with a nice big cuttable area, motorized Z height controls, built-in air assist, Ruida controller with display screen, pretty much all but a camera, and I could install a camera if I wanted … for $4K.
I can cut 1/2" thick MDF / softwood, and 1/4" oak / hardwood, in a single pass, at 80% power (I avoid use above 80% as I read that using max power tends to shorten life of the tube).
I agree…that’s why I go back and forth.
Although, looking at it now, that guys build can probably be done closer to $2k I bet.
An additional $2k is not a non-trivial amount of money for most people, so everybody has to weigh what they can afford (or convince their wife to allow lol)… Time is money, but sometimes you can make more time easier than you can make more money.
Also…
deals are not always available
So then urgency might be a factor.
I think either way, both can be more than worth whichever investment path you choose.
Definitely if it was $3k DIY vs $4k manufacturer refurbished, I’d probably lean manufacturer for something like this. But I also REALLY like building stuff too…
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Having been where you are (I was there for quite a while), and having eventually bought… consider this (used) monster and its marked down price:
I totally get it. It’s exactly why I deliberated for such a long time.
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The stat for thickness is not deceptive, although I’d add a caveat of “not all hardnesses of wood” — softer woods, absolutely. But for hardwoods, such as the oak I cut a lot of, more like 1/4" to 3/8" depth — if we’re talking about one pass.
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For me I truly do enjoy the build. And just as much so knowing that all the stuff it makes was because of my build. I truly take pride in that. Just the same with my LR3s and Primo. Plus I too think I can build this for $2kish. And that’s half the cost of the used $4-5k. I’m not in a massive hurry. And I can spread the parts cost out a little bit rather than taking the one large hit if I need to. And idk what it is but losing that 8” really bugs me lol. I really like the idea of being able to cut down a full sheet into 1/4 sheet and have less waste. That one at 40” would put me losing another 16”. I have no doubt that would still be very usable wood but I’m also trying to simplify the work load from full sheet to finished product if possible.
I truly appreciate all of the opinions and ideas I’m getting here. They have really gotten me thinking and looking at things beyond what I was already thinking. This also leads me to more/new questions lol
Linear rail vs vslot wheels? Is there really any noticeable difference going to linear rail?
Am I crazy to think I can make and use a cooler filled with ice water as a chiller for this thing? Or at least have the tubing run though a cooler filled with ice water to chill the separate water (to be able to keep only distilled water or some other substance that y’all think would be better)
I’m also thinking 2 motors on the long axis like the LR3 has. But since there is no true load like a router has would I be better off with just one motor like I see several use? Or even corexy? (Assuming grbl/fluidNC can do corexy)
Thinking about the MP3DP mine really tightened up when I added the acrylic side panels. They are all on the outside. Is there any advantage to putting them inside the groves on the extrusions? I’m perfectly fine having them outside unless there is a noticeable advantage to doing it differently
That’s all I can think of right now. And I know I’m all over the place. Welcome to Lasers with ADHD lol
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He did an upgrade video for that too 
about a $200 upgrade he said
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Yeah I saw that one. But it was late when I was watching it lol. Does it make a big enough difference to just start off that way??
Not crazy, seen more than one K20 doing that.
However in my reading found that 50-70 is the range for the liquid cooling of the laser. So I’m sure engineers know the calculations, but I’m assuming depending on the ambient temp, volume of liquid will factor in. Most of the “chillers” I’ve looked at, were around a 3 gallon tank, radiator and fan for airflow over the radiator. Not what I think of when I hear “chiller”.
I’m still trying to understand the tubers claiming use of antifreeze (I’m sure not from an auto parts store), when the manufacturer’s only seem to claim distilled water only.
The other reason I was contemplating the RF CO2 over the DC CO2.
Of course high voltage DC, water… house, adds to the mix.
Factor in price, then I’m back to paralysis by analysis.
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His reasoning was for maintenance purposes and mechanical reliability. No performance gain.
So… I guess just depends on how you feel about it.
I have a 3D printer going on 4 years with extrusion and rubber wheels, and haven’t “maintained” them at all… so I’m guessing it will depend o how heavy your use is, and whether you want to mess with “potential” issues or not
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This is exactly what made me think about it. I’ve never maintained any of my v wheel set ups. The only printer I have with rails is the V4 and I’ve already had to maintain them lol
I need to do a price comparison but I find it hard to believe the v wheels will be the same or more expensive than the linear rail. Especially at the 4’ cutting area.
no, the linear rail was $200 more
Price took quick care of that paralysis for me. If she goes this into a real flourishing deal and just wears out the tube then sure I can justify the price. But at just starting out like we are I can’t get there. Way too much coin for me
Ok I downloaded the further fabrication cad file and opened it in fusion360. First off for some reason I immediately get intimidated when I try to edit someone else’s cad file. These (like Ryans) are built using SOOO many features that i have no clue how to use that I just get lost LOL. One thing I saw in this video that I really liked was the laser tube is along the back instead of the side. With the length of a 100w tube that will make the thing as wide as it is long and that doesn’t do well for the space (or lack there of) that I have available. I tried finding any info about the linked video but he doesn’t have any files available on his website that I can locate for it. I guess now I need to do some research on how to modify stuff like this in fusion and try to get some kind of direction lol.
I know moving the laser to the back will mean I will have to add 1 additional mirror. Does that have any effect on laser output?
Also just to continue my crazy train of thought for everyone. This is the Tube I am considering getting and also the power supply…
I guess in all my looking around I got confused. I was thinking the 100w tube was 1450mm but this one is labeled 1250mm, which is the same as the one in the model. So maybe having it on the side wont be so bad. But honestly I would prefer to move it to the back. Then if I ever want to upgrade to something longer it will be MUCH easier.
He has a Patreon. You might have to join there to get them
Well what’s the point in having a website with other plans available for sale but make me pay you monthly on patreon to get them LOL.
I think you answered your own question lol
I don’t know if he has them there or not, but one of his tiers mentions “free project plans” and the plans aren’t on his site, so I’m just guessing
Or maybe they are just modified from FF, so he can’t sell them??
Any of that is a possibility. I got his email address from his youtube channel and sent him an email. Now to wait and see if I hear anything back lol. I don’t have good luck in getting responses but I’m still hopeful. Only famous guy that responds to me is Ryan LOL. And Doug is quickly reaching that status as well LOL
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Whoa, according to the Aliexpress listing you linked to… Shipping: $224.48 — more than the price of the item!
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