{"id":28,"date":"2023-10-16T01:00:01","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T01:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/?page_id=28"},"modified":"2023-10-17T12:05:32","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T12:05:32","slug":"laser-cutter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/the-apache-pit-project\/main-menu\/tools\/laser-cutter\/","title":{"rendered":"Laser Cutter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>the saga of buying a chinese laser cutter is best not visited by anyone<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>below you can peruse through my tale of woe&#8230;. it&#8217;s a bit of a saga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>having some idea on the size of things i wanted to cut, I did a bit of research on some of the features i wanted to have &amp; out of the gate I purchased this machine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>600mm  <em>( <sup>3728227<\/sup>\/<sub>10000000000<\/sub> of a mile)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>x 400mm <em>( <sup>497097<\/sup>\/<sub>2000000000<\/sub> of a mile)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pass through slots front &amp; back for oversized stock <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>motorised bed lift<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>80W CO2 laser<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-duotone-unset-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"921\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-55.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-55.png 921w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-55-300x103.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-55-768x263.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 921px) 100vw, 921px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I think the item ended up costing me just shy of ~AUD$3000 landed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was pretty excited to get it up &amp; running, but I took my time about a week all up, having never purchased anything this expensive (outside of a motor vehicle) unpacked it all carefully &amp; the only assembly required was to put the legs on the main chassis, everything else was factory assembled&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I purchased a heap of distilled water filled a resevoir, connected it all up &amp; very carefully filled the laser tube ensuring all the bubbles were expelled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was at this time (initial power up) I could begin to smell an issue, but initially thought it was just a &#8216;new&#8217; electronics smell as things warmed up first time use&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>it wasnt until i popped open the side of the machine opening the electronics maintenance panel that the full power of the smell wafted up &amp; caught me &amp; I new it wasn&#8217;t a new smell anymore<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screen-Shot-12-05-20-at-03.10-PM-300x224.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screen-Shot-12-05-20-at-03.10-PM-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screen-Shot-12-05-20-at-03.10-PM-1024x764.png 1024w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screen-Shot-12-05-20-at-03.10-PM-768x573.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screen-Shot-12-05-20-at-03.10-PM.png 1056w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>the very first time powering this unit on, out of the factory&#8230;.. &amp; it melted the entire ribbon cable, cut through the insulation of several other wires&#8230;.. &amp; toasted my controller card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-56-300x163.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-56-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-56-768x417.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-56.png 891w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I asked them should i check the controller card, seeing as the wiring loom to it was so severely damaged, despite their re-assurances that <em>&#8220;everything is ok dear&#8230;&#8221;<\/em> my spidey senses were telling me to crack it open&#8230;.. &amp; just as well i did<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-300x227.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled-300x227.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Untitled.png 731w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&amp; the whole time I was trying to fault-find\/trouble-shoot this at my end, the chinese kept telling me:<em> &#8220;no friend everything is fine, just power on &amp; send file to the laser&#8230;.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"163\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-57-300x163.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-57-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-57-768x417.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-57.png 891w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>this is one of the more concerning shots, you can see where it was cutting in location as required, but in between those points, the laser was still firing&#8230;. when it was supposed to be off. Just as well i didn&#8217;t stick my fingers in there to move anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"123\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-58-300x123.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-58-300x123.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-58-768x315.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-58.png 891w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Initially I raised a dispute (on AlilExpress), but the vendor explained that i needed to close the dispute so that they could process it at their end. This was complete bull, as soon as i had closed the dispute I was unable to raise any form of complaint with AliExpress again regarding the item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-7\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-60-300x187.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-60-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-60-768x479.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-60.png 798w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>All correspondance with the vendor following that, just seemed to want to fob me off, not really wanting to help, despite me sending screenshots, videos, wire traces, etc. doing all the technical fault-finding well &amp; truly beyond the &#8216;warm &amp; fluffy&#8217; crap they were telling me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-8\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-59-300x120.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-59-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-59-768x306.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-59.png 812w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite repeated emails &amp; messages through AliExpress, assuring me that a replacement card had been dispatched, they sat on it, waiting first for me to return the card, I returned the entire controller unit, the case, the main board &amp; daughterboard (shield). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-62-300x190.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-62-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-62-768x486.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-62.png 798w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>not forgetting all the dodgy chinese processes i needed to follow, heaven forbid anything might be done above board&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-10\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"159\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-61-300x159.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-61-300x159.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-61-768x408.png 768w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-61.png 789w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite repeated requests for a tracking number of the replacement card, it never came<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-11\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"183\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-63-300x183.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-63-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-63.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>more excuses\/subterfuge ensued&#8230;.. these scumbags are simply incapable of telling the truth<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-12\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-64-300x188.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-274\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-64-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-64.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>repeated requests, over multiple days &amp; still no joy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-13\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-65-300x188.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-65-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-65.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&amp; then this happened<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I finally received a &#8216;replacement&#8217; card it was the same case complete with scorch marks, what seemed to be the same daughterboard (shield), but i can only assume a new controller card, as I was unable to determine if they had attempted component repair on the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-14\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-66-300x188.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-66-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-66.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>So I had to sit &amp; wait for my damaged card to return, them to inspect, decide to repair\/replace, then return it, before i could continue to trouble-shoot my non-functioning machine. This took almost 3~4 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-15\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"141\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-67-300x141.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-67-300x141.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-67.png 670w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium is-resized wp-duotone-unset-16\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-68-300x187.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-278\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.6080760095011877;object-fit:cover;width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-68-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-68.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>they didn&#8217;t even want to acknowledge that they had returned to me the same original &amp; now potentially faulty board&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-17\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-69-300x187.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-69-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-69.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They tried to get me to remove the chargeback  BEFORE they would help me&#8230;. fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice &#8211; I don&#8217;t think so mate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-18\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-70-300x187.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-70-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-70.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I explained in detail what the machine was doing with the replacement card<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-19\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-71-300x187.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-71-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-71.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I sent them a video with the described action as they requested, so they could once again ignore the problem &amp; find any excuse not to assist me or replace any failed components<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium wp-duotone-unset-20\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-72-300x187.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-72-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/avimator.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-72.png 677w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&amp; because I refused to cancel the charge back until i was actually given assistance to get me what i actually paid for (a WORKING unit), that&#8217;s the last that I ever heard from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So&#8230;&#8230; in short &#8211; don&#8217;t scrimp, you are much better off buying locally, the pain &amp; head-aches you will encounter dealing with dodgy unscrupulous chinese vendors is such that you may as well set your wallet on fire instead. I basically ended up with an anchor weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It took me over 18 months dealing with the vendor, my bank &amp; VISA to recover my funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If in Melbourne I can recommend  <a href=\"https:\/\/mwlaser.com.au\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/mwlaser.com.au\/\">MWLaser<\/a> in Pakenham. VIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>or visit his YouTube channel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MWLaser\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MWLaser\">here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Matt was able to pull the guts out of my machine &amp; furnish me with reliable\/reputable components that just work. He also provided me with a few additional bits &amp; pieces I hadn&#8217;t enough experience to realise i would need, which have also been gems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is very knowledgable, helpful &amp; no nonsense kind of guy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>the saga of buying a chinese laser cutter is best not visited by anyone below you can peruse through my tale of woe&#8230;. it&#8217;s a bit of a saga. having some idea on the size of things i wanted to cut, I did a bit of research on some of the features i wanted to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":25,"menu_order":-2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-28","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":374,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28\/revisions\/374"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/avimator.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}