# Jtech 14w Laser Not burning dark enough **URL:** \ **Category:** J Tech Laser\ **Created:** [October 15, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/jtech-14w-laser-not-burning-dark-enough/15913 "2022-10-15T21:35:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grdaniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5fc32e/32.png) [@Grdaniel](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Grdaniel)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/jtech-14w-laser-not-burning-dark-enough/15913/1 "2022-10-15T21:35:15Z")
I’ve tried for 2 days to set my new laser up and I’m failing miserably! The instructions of downloading the post processor don’t work right for me, so not sure if I did it right. I’ve tried adjusting tool settings based on instructions and any video I can find. Nothing is working and any help would be appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Tas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@Tas](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Tas)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2022, 9:57am UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/jtech-14w-laser-not-burning-dark-enough/15913/2 "2022-10-16T09:57:43Z")
Garland, I have the JTech 14W, and did not have any trouble getting it setup. It did take quite a lot of experimenting to find the right setttings for it for various purposes though (power level, feed rate etc). When you say the setup is failing miserably, what do you mean specifically? Based on the title of the post, it seems it is installed, and burning but is not burning dark enough. Is that correct? What power and feed rates are you using, and on what material? I try to normally use 80% power when I can, due to recommendations from J-Tech that the service life decreases when burning at 100%. I work in metric so my feeds are mm/sec. But converting these to imperial measures is straight forward. On hardwood, use a feed rate of between 40 to 60 mm/sec for engraving. On softwood, like plywood, to cut through (rather than engrave) I use 100% power, and 5-6 runs at about 5 mm/sec to cut through 7mm plywood, ---
**Author:** ![Grdaniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5fc32e/32.png) [@Grdaniel](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Grdaniel)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/jtech-14w-laser-not-burning-dark-enough/15913/3 "2022-10-19T15:36:51Z")
I’m not sure where my settings are off. I can use lightburn and get it to work, but in Vcarve it’s burning barely visible. I used the settings that Jtech has on their website. Max power: 14w Kerf: .006 Passes: 1 Power: 80% Move speed: 110 Max burn rate: 110 I select the onefinity laser post p and when I start it, the laser seems to fire at almost a test fire power level. Like when I’m zeroing it and use the M3 S10 command in MDI. I’m so lost, lol. ---
**Author:** ![Tas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@Tas](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Tas)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/jtech-14w-laser-not-burning-dark-enough/15913/4 "2022-10-19T19:10:37Z")
Do you have the laser module for vcarve? With it, I just use the normal OneFinity post processor, and everything works as expected. I have read on the forum that you can get away without the laser module, but there are some things you have to do. Let me find that info…. ---
**Author:** ![Tas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@Tas](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Tas)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/jtech-14w-laser-not-burning-dark-enough/15913/5 "2022-10-19T19:35:33Z")
I can’t seem to find what I thought I had read, but perhaps a couple of things to check. What version of VCarve Pro are you using? It seems laser support is better from 11 onward. I have 11.5. I think the laser module is well worth the extra if you don’t have it. What controller version are you using? It needs to be 1.0.9 or later to have the laser as a selectable tool. Have you selected Laser in the tool menu on the controller? When you load a laser burn file in the controller, look at the GCODE to see what M3S values it’s using. I think for 100% it should be M3S1000, and for 80% it should be M3S800. If you aren’t seeing these then the post processor is either incorrect or doing the wrong thing. ---
**Author:** ![Grdaniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5fc32e/32.png) [@Grdaniel](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Grdaniel)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/jtech-14w-laser-not-burning-dark-enough/15913/6 "2022-10-22T17:58:32Z")
I’m using 11.5 and my controller is updated. The highest value for S I see is about 87. Pretty low and I’m not sure why. ---
**Author:** ![Tas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@Tas](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/Tas)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/jtech-14w-laser-not-burning-dark-enough/15913/7 "2022-10-22T21:57:17Z")
Garland, Sorry, I am not really sure how to get this sorted for you. Have you tried reaching out to JTech? Jay has been very helpful. You did not say whether you have purchased the laser module for VCarve? [https://www.vectric.com/products/laser-module](https://www.vectric.com/products/laser-module) I have this, and have had no problems at all with it. I just followed the guidance here: > [@What software do I need for my JTech laser?](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/what-software-do-i-need-for-my-jtech-laser/12082): > > We recommend two software choices for the Jtech laser: Lightburn (gcode version) Vectric: (how to set up a ‘endmill’ to use the laser: [Vectric Laser Post Processor | J Tech Photonics, Inc.](https://jtechphotonics.com/?p=3851)) 2a) Vectric add on: Laser module While not needed, it allows better controller for the laser, select Onefinity with a JTech Laser. and went with 2.a. With this, in Vectric, you just setup the laser as a tool, exactly as you have done and shown above. Then when saving the toolpaths, just use the normal onefinity (mm) or onefinity (In) post processors. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/2X/e/ec62ae0797d29646a8c2df721e9cc61c44510f7b.png) And then everything works. Looking in the GCODE .ngc file, the M3 commands for 100% are M3S1000 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/2X/c/c561223e02d5c1095f807221426afc95701b33ea.png) If you dont have the laser module, then I think you can follow the instructions here: > **[Vectric Laser Post Processor | J Tech Photonics, Inc.](https://jtechphotonics.com/?p=3851)** > > To get assistance with your vectric laser post processor, visit J Tech Photonics, Inc. We offer step-by-step help in order to run your machine safely. to download a post processor and setup the tool, but I have not tested this approach. Sorry I can’t be of more help…