So I dropped too much money on a fun new toy for the shop. It's a big 100w co2 laser. I had a diode laser for the last couple years and it was fun learning with it but it was rather limited on the stuff it could cut and if I did want to cut anything, it would go at turtle speed lol. Not sure if any of you have a diode laser, but if you're thinking about getting one, I'd hold off and save up for a co2 laser instead. It's crazy how much better it is and also way safer for your eyes since the laser is infrared.

I may start prototyping drone frames on it with cheap material as it'll be 10x faster than 3d printing prototypes. 

Was also thinking I could make adapters out of sheet plastics on it as well. Got some other ideas like making templates, custom signs, and maybe even make some flite test foamboard planes on it because why not? lol.

Here's a video showing the unboxing process. Was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be lol. It's like a 600lb machine. 





I'll post updates and pictures here as I go. Let me know if you have any ideas of things that would be cool to cut out or engrave.

Oooh. Neat.

Why is an IR Laser safer? My understanding is it could be more dangerous since you will not have the natural blink/flinch reaction if it were shined in your eye. (Just a question, fairly unimportant since these lasers are not pointing at people)

(14-Sep-2023, 10:14 PM)FPVme Wrote: Why is an IR Laser safer? My understanding is it could be more dangerous since you will not have the natural blink/flinch reaction if it were shined in your eye.  (Just a question, fairly unimportant since these lasers are not pointing at people)

It's much less bright. Diode laser is like looking at a welder when you're using it. Also this machine has an enclosure so it makes you shut the lid before you can operate it which is a huge bonus. I was always super worried using the open frame diode laser especially when my kids were around.