With laser cutters now getting to be fairly cheap I decided to get an XTool S1 with a 20W laser head. I have wanted one for years and now they are approaching the affordability and relative convenience of FDM and resin 3D printers. I envisioned using a laser cutter for precise cutting and engraving of flat parts like windows, doors, and grates. I also thought it would be nice for making materials like siding and shingles.
I first started with getting the system set up and situated in the shop. This printer doesn’t have WiFi so the workflow requires the connection of a PC for setup and execution. I decided to put my cutter on a rolling workbench so I can roll it into position by the workbench when I’m using it.
Ventilation is very important as I will be using it in my basement. I have it connected to my exhaust fan ductwork with an auxiliary 100cfm booster fan inline. I also bought a magnetic 4” hose adapter that can be quickly connected and disconnected for ease of movement.
I went on a quest to find materials and right now I am experimenting with 65lb card stock, 22pt. chipboard, .020” Polybak (it’s like thin MDF), and some sheets of adhesive backed RC board.
Here’s some early results of my experiments --
This 3D printed PRR/GR&I water tower is sporting a wrap of .020" Polybak with scribed boards around the printed tank. The conical sectioned roof is made with 65lb black cardstock. (It was quite a lesson in geometry to get the angles right!) Still a work in progress, I hope to have it done soon.
Brick scribe and window cut experiment with 1/8" Masonite/MDF. The cuts are amazing!
Industrial windows in 65lb cardstock. This was an .svg file made with Tinkercad. When I get into making some new flats I'll make this with the adhesive backed RC board.
First thing I tried was asphalt roof shingles using 65lb cardstock. Look at those cuts!
020" Polybak, it's like thin MDF. Very cheap too. The material test feature of the XTool XCS software is very helpful. I was able to figure the speed and power settings for different materials very quickly.
5 panel door 'kits' using 22pt. (022" thick) chipboard. I crash-coursed materials the past couple weeks. This stuff and the cardstock came from Amazon.
And now for the absolute best - I think I have finally 'broke' Insulbrick after all these years. My Jim Thorpe house project left me a little dissatisfied with my current Insulbrick efforts. I sort of had a 'Eureka moment' this morning when I was waking up. It occurred to me if could laser engrave and score my black cardstock after I painted it some type of brick color I'd have myself some pretty proper Insulbrick.
I am pretty stoked! My next sheet of Insulbrick will have a more random alignment like what I've seen in the world.
Loose panel Insulbrick no prob!
