Newbie- GWeike LC1280

[corpokingo]

Hello folks! First post here, wanted to start by saying this is forum has been a TREMENDOUS resource in my own laser cutter acquisition journey (this will be my first laser machine).

So I've decided on the GWeike LC1280 80W machine, and planning on placing my order this week. The primary use for my machine will be to cut 1/4" hardboard/MDF-board, plywood, veneers and leather.

I'm planning on getting the following options with it:

• Motorized Up/Down Platform
• Auto-Focus
• Red Dot Point
• Spare 80W Laser Tube
• Additional Mirror Set
• Additional Focus Lens
• Industrial Chiller

Is there any other option I ought to consider for my application?

Also wanted to know if anyone here owns one, has experiences to share about their machine, any purchasing hiccups, insight, etc.

Thanks!

[SkipW]

Greetings and welcome to the forum.

Looks like you have all the spare parts covered. Regarding the chiller though, make sure it is an actual refrigerated chiller and not like the 3000 series that I received. Mine just has a radiator and fan (and water pump of course) to cool the water and it is barely adequate. I have to upgrade that one of these days.

For cutting and engraving I would recommend the 50mm (or 55mm, someone tell me what the correct size of this is, please) lens. It has a little smaller spot size. The only trouble is that it puts the air cone very close to the material, so if you have any obstructions in the way, you have to take that into account. A couple of those and a couple 75mm lenses should handle most jobs.

Some plywoods don't cut real well because of the glue used. Found that out first hand.

Are you going to import this yourself? It's not that difficult and you can save some money, but you can't beat the local support if you buy from a US importer/dealer.

Hope that helps,
Skip

[corpokingo]

Hey Skip, thanks for your helpful response! Good to know about the chiller, I wasn't aware of the difference between a refrigerated and radiator unit.

I'm planning on doing very little to no engraving, primarily focusing on cutting flat surfaces. Would you mind explaining a little about lens sizes and their functionality?

As for the plywood, did you find a workaround to cutting plywood on your machine? Did certain plywoods work better than others?

I'm planning on importing myself. Unfortunately I can't justify the extra $10k markup the importer is tacking on to the machine for extra support (I'm bootstrapped, so the extra cash saving is helpful ).

Finally, I'm aware that these machines are kind of big. How did you get your machine into your workspace? I'm signing a lease on a workshop tomorrow, but the door is a standard size door, I'm worried I won't be able to get it inside.

Again, thanks so much for your help, even reading your past posts have been extremely insightful!

[SkipW]

The shorter the focal length, the smaller the beam width and the narrower the kerf. I think you could use the 50 mm lens. There are 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm focal length lenses available. I like the 50 for cutting and engraving but that's just me. I think I can cut better and with less power than with the other lenses.

And as far as I know, unless this has been changed, say you want to cut a 4" x 4" square and you draw one up in Corel, save as an .ai file, and import it into LaserCut, the laser will cut right on the line and you will end up with a square smaller than 4". So you have to allow for that and make the square maybe 4.006 x 4.006. It really depends on what you are doing and what the tolerances are. You can add an offset to your file in LaserCut, but it's in metric and It's easier for me to make the changes in inches in Corel if needed.

I looked up the size of your machine and according to them, it is 67 3/4" x 47 5/8" x 42 1/8". I hope you meant a standard size GARAGE DOOR.... I'm pretty sure you can unbolt the top of the machine with the lid and remove that without too much trouble. And unbolt the wheels on the bottom. That might allow you to turn the machine on its side and fit it through the door. I can measure mine tomorrow to see if that would work. I think your machine is the same height as mine. Is that a 36" wide door you have to fit it through?

The Baltic Birch plywood cuts fairly well. I've had good luck with the 1/8" and 1/4" from Lowes. You'll just have to get some and try it. I also like cutting their 1/4" hardwood slabs. I make boxes from them and they cut real nice.

Skip

[corpokingo]

Thanks for your response Skip!

Unfortunately I was referring to a standard width (36") door . It would be a tremendous help if you can kindly eyeball whether the machine would fit on its side based on the dimensions you mentioned.

Really appreciate your help .

[SkipW]

It looks to me that if you remove the top piece but leave the laser gantry in place it is about 32" from the bottom of wheel flange to the top of the laser head. But removing the top piece will require disconnecting the laser control panel wires and the safety switch wire on that top part. It should be doable as long as you mark where the wires go and get them reconnected correctly.

I think I would unbolt the lid first, then do the rest. And the wheels and the undercarriage vertical supports must be removed too.

Hope it works out for you.

Skip

[corpokingo]

Thanks so much for checking that for me. I'm talking to the building management to see if they would be willing install a double door - but it's good to know a worst case scenario options.

I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again for everything!

[corpokingo]

Hello - just an update, our laser cutter (LC1280) is coming in end of next week! Very excited, and will do a more thorough post with the setup and install details.

And thanks again for your help so far Skip! Might need to pick your brain some more when the unit comes in .

[SkipW]

Most welcome! Did you talk the building management into installing a wider door or are you still looking at breaking the machine down to get it to fit?

There's a lot of helpful folks here so we should be able to help you work out any problems you may encounter, but hopefully there won't be any.

Keep us posted!

Skip

[cicigweike]

Any questions, please not hesitate to tell us.
we will reply within 18 hours.


Cici

www.wklaser.com

[corpokingo]

Hey Skip, the building folks wanted us to fork over $1,000 for a double door, we said the heck with that! We're just going to take the door and frame out, cut out the portion of the wall needed to get it in the space and put everything back together . I'd rather break down the building than my new laser machine.

As for the delivery, our ship was a few days late, and the container just became available Friday. The trucking company is picking it up on Monday and should have it delivered on Tuesday (read: tick tock, tick tock...).

Any installation / preparation tips you might have to offer? Thanks!

Hi Cici - thanks, I'll let you know if I have any questions.

[cicigweike]

Hi corpokingo,
Is it your door straitness for the machine enter into the house?
Our machine contain the upper part and down part two parts, one of our customer had separate the two parts and install them again in the house.
I had attached photoes.

But he has technique background and technique very well.

As this is your first machine, so i suggest you change the door.

Best Regards,
Cici