DIY Homemade Laser Cutter

The full documentation for my latest Laser builds can be found here:

In this video I share my process of designing and building a co2 laser cutter using a combination of 'V' & 'T' slotted aluminium profile 3d printed parts. I wanted a larger cutting area than my old K40 chinese laser cutter had, and I'm a sucker for a challenge.

FAQ:
Cost:
Total cost of the build was around NZD$3000 (US$2k)
Electronics:
AWC608 DSP controller - I purchased mine from lightobject though in hindsight i'd buy something directly out of China in the future.
Laser Tube:
Bought from Aliexpress, though you may have better options depending on your location.

Instagram:

Website:

Music used:
FREI - Moody
Liam.M - Medicine
Liam.M - Voyager

[FurtherFabrication]

Hey everyone! I'm looking at putting together a 'VERSION 2' laser cutter/engraver in the new year.
If you're interested in a full step-by-step build guide,
in-depth resources, and how to then generate an income using a laser (so that it pays for itself). STAY TUNED!
Feel free to put any questions you'd like me to cover down below, so I can help everyone out as best I can!

[lhxperimental]

It is amazing how accessible technology has become. With internet sharing, ideas pass around the world in no time and spawn newer ideas and the cycle repeats. Humanity is make going to make tremendous progress in the years ahead.

[bevan]

Wow master maker! That's quite the impressive project you've got there. I remember when I built my first laser cutter circa 2011. I had quite a different set up to you but by the looks of it yours does the job quite nicely. Mine was running a 1250 x 850 bed (honeycomb of course) and a 60W tube and oh boy that thing chewed through 9mm Acrylic like nobodies business. Great to see passionate young makers like yourself sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. Keep up the good work. All the best for you future projects.

Cheers Bevan :-)

[mikecrane]

Extremely well done from start to finish. Pleasure to watch, and enjoyed your thinking & commentary. Good luck with your other projects, and yep, I'll be making a laser cutter one day, and your project is very informative. Cheers

[hotfuzz]

I can't stop watching your build videos all around nice job on the design, build and documentation not to mention the video and editing
Excellent work Sir

[jerro]

I used PLA to print all the parts for my D-bot printer back in 2015 and they have worked flawlessly to date so don't be afraid of PLA unless you're planning on storing in a very hot place.

[ironknobsteelworks]

Some people are good at talking, some are good at doing. This lad does both.

[herrakaarme]

It's awesome what people can build at home if they have the knowledge and skills.

[charlietame]

Very well thought out project, I wish the designers of some of the stuff I have to work on and repair put as much thought into their work as you did.

[spikeydapikey]

Good call on the outer case, that makes a lot of sense. Cheers.

[bneben]

Awesome vid. Just finished my own build - I took a quite different route but had similar size constraints. Ended up with 495x720mm cut size using the same 40w tube with plans for a Reci w2 soon. Wish I’d timelapsed my build now!

[DKELL]

Nice work! Love the larger footprint design. However, one thing worries me. Is that just clear acrylic? The view areas should be covered with a laser protection film.

[MrLucidity]

I did a 'drunk-buy' of a 20w laser tube - I thought it would be cool to have one - and have been researching how to use it ever since. This vid helped greatly, cheers

[amessman]

Wonderful video, I'm still on the fence about buying or building but your video certainly will make building a lot easier, can't wait to check out your other content!

[MRdoA]

I have bought a lot of chinese machines and I wondered about building one from scratch. It took me a few months but I built a 100w with a 5x8 foot bed using hybrid nema 34 steppers and a 708C controller. I am looking at manufacturing them full time from my shop.

[chris]

Brilliant project. I have just finished building a 3D printer with the T slot aluminium. I used a metal bandsaw and then milled the ends for squareness. Takes a long time but i wanted accurate dimensions.
Thank you for confirming that a wood mitre saw can cut it quicker with good dimensional tolerance, I have been wondering about trying it.

[chrisnurse]

Great project to share to mate. When you consider that the large format lasers cost $1000s and even just to have a big machine shipped to Perth is $1000, building one makes a lot of sense!

[chriskiwi]

That was really nice. I agree that it is nicer to roll your own rather than buy.

[AtulSohan]

*"i Hope that something was helpful for someone!!"* that is an understatement Brother.
Knowledge and experience is to be shared ! nothing is a waste, i mean nothing there are literally 1000s of people who have made DIY laser cutters but each one is different and you sharing your experience means that i dont have to make the mistakes and i dont have to reinvent the square wheel , Thank you for sharing


Plus Great narration and editing . I understand making videos of projects is hard and it takes 3 times as long for the project to complete thank you for sharing . i Hope you make more of such projects and post them online . Thank You Again

[arthursauret]

That's insane dude, your project is awesome