New member/machinist from Lincoln, East Midlands

**John S** · 31-07-2011

Hello Franco and welcome.
Sounds like you are in a good position to get a CNC built when you are ready given you have access to machines.
I can't see any reason why a combined laser / router isn't feasible as they are basically the same machine. You might have to take into acount when designing it that you need room / mountings for the flying mirrors.

On one forum I'm on a guy is building his own laser from a kit of parts from the US. Slow going as he's pushed for time and money but he's making a nice job, only small, A3 sized but the concept could be scaled up.

You only need the laser / optics section to graft onto a larger machine.

**Franco** · 31-07-2011

Hi John, thanks for your reply and for the welcome.

Yes, hopefully I should be able to get some parts machined at work. Currently we get a fair bit of time to do 'home orders' but in about a year we are moving to a new site where I think personal jobs will not be a possibility. With that in mind I would like to get something designed over the next 6 months or so and get what parts I can made whilst I can.

That sounds great about the combined router/laser. I was hoping to get a positive answer about that.

Do you have a link to the A3 laser project you were talking about or are outside links not allowed?

Also, from a beginners point of view would you recommend reading any particular tutorials, guides etc on the internet or are there any books worth investing in?

Thanks again for your help.

**Jonathan** · 31-07-2011

Just a though but 'a fairly accurate machine' is not (without spending a lot of money) likely to also be a fast machine. Laser cutters can run at high feed rates compared to routers ... I wouldn't be surprised if insufficient feedrate or acceleration could be an issue? The one at school is belt driven, possibly for this reason and no doubt due to cost.

I'd like to add a laser to my CNC router ... but to get even just a 60W/80W one (so enough for plastics, thin plywood) costs a huge amount. I'd prefer to spend the money on a plasma cutter (or more likely make one as where's the fun in buying it) and cut steel sheet instead.