Official Luthiers Forum!

So I have a K40 laser cutter, and it cuts birch plywood well.

However how does it cut exotic rosewood type wood? I tried cutting african blackwood and despite many passes, and high power it struggles to cut through 1/8" thick piece, in fact it just burns the thing rather than cut.

I understand Taylor laser cuts everything (top, back, side, etc.) so how would they cut ebony or blackwoods?

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Better laser?

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Really -- Rest assured that Taylor is not using a $400 laser.

Can you upgrade to 200 watts? I think the K40 is designed for engraving.

_________________
Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I could get a new 45/50 watt tube if I cut a hole in the side of the machine to make room for it, the existing power supply will support it. It just about doubles the laser's power.

However 200 watt is a stretch. I was only asking how Taylor does it...

I have tried cutting Indonesian rosewood and it does cut though it takes a few passes. I can however cut a template out of plexiglass and use a router for the actual cut (the laser will still cut just not that much)

I think the K40 was originally designed for engraving stamps.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I used a laser to cut a few bridge plates out of African Blackwood, and it didn't seem to have a problem. I don't remember the specifics, but I think it's a 40 watt laser, and it took four or five passes.

I can cut 3mm Indian Rosewood easily with my 40watt Epilog in one pass. Even up to 6mm thick in a few passes. Most other timbers no problem at all in one pass up to 4mm thick.

Ebony doesn't cut at all. At best I can engrave it with several passes.

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

I don't know what the true power of Epilogs are, but the K40 isn't technically 40 watts, it's more like 35 watts. The tube length is only 700mm. I know a more powerful tube can be bought that ups the power quite a lot, but it requires cutting the case because the laser tube is 1 meter long.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I doubt Taylor cuts Ebony (fingerboards) with a laser. I know Martin cuts backs & sides with a laser too.

I have an 80 watt & I've cut a handful of woods - maple, camatillo, bubinga, bocote, blackwood, koa, baltic birch plywood. As you'd imagine I can cut a much thicker piece of maple than blackwood but some woods are deceiving like koa which doesn't cut very well.

What's the focal length of your lens? A longer lens in the 50mm range is better for cutting. You also need to be sure it's precisely focused.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

It's the stock 50mm lens. It kinda sucks and I'm replacing it with the ones from Lightobject (some have reported that it cuts better with it, because I think that lens focuses down to a smaller spot)

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I run a 100 watt reci tube. I like it. Haven't tried ebony. It hogs through a good bit of material with ease.

A shorter lens focuses to a smaller spot but stays in focus for a shallower depth. That's why you want a longer lens for cutting.

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

What I mean is, the lens is the same focal length as the stock lens but since the lens is bigger (18mm vs 12mm), it focuses the laser to a smaller diameter but the focal length does not change. I have read that basically, a shorter focal length is actually better for cutting since it can focus more power but it may have some issues with thicker materials. A longer focal length would have a straighter beam but the beam would be wider meaning it takes more power.

I can't really run a 100 watt tube, I would (in addition to needing a bigger power supply) need a compressor based chiller. My laser also would not fit a 2 meter long tube.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com