Hi everyone, I just got done setting up my JTech laser 24W and am in the process of figuring out power levels.
I was wondering what people are doing for a honeycomb under the workpiece? It’s my understanding that getting your workpiece off the spoilboard to add airflow under it will help with burns. I also don’t want to burn into my spoilboard when I’m doing cuts.
Has anyone purchased anything or made their own?
i remember you can actually order them off amazon, i think the largest i saw was a 2’x2’ but i may be wrong. reasonably priced too. another thing i do on my laser is i put a pan down, fill it with a bit of water (even just a 1/4”), put spacers down that are just above the water level, put my piece on that, and laser away. keeps fires from starting underneath and the water absorbs anything that goes through. Also prevents flashback from the honeycomb burning little grooves in the bottom.
edit: your machine needs to be level for this to work.
Great idea about a pan. I’ll have to look for a decent size pan for this as some of what I want to laser is going to be 11” x 12” or slighly larger.
On another note, what do you use for fume extraction? I found this on Youtube and thought it would be a good way to go. Video is a bit long but explains options pretty well. https://youtu.be/k7qTE4t4sf8?si=l34wnTXMYuKA0gD7
pretty simple setup on that video, it’ll only handle light engraving though. If i were you i’d pump that air outside directly if you can, through a window / door / garage door adapter. Use it when you’re lasering, use a regular dust collector when you’re cutting. maybe setup a y downline of the dustbook and switch as you need? I laser a lot and a lot of the material i cut produces fumes that are not easily filtered (certain plastics, etc)
I would not use the same dust extraction hose for routing and lasering (even a short section) Lasers can create sparks and that could ignite dust remnants in the hose (however small / few they might be). Just not worth the risk.
Yup, I plan on using an entirely different shopvac/hose for fume extraction. Just not sure what setups people are using for fume extraction.
never had it happen but good to know!
I’ve tried a several solutions on my Journeyman. Depending on what project I am working on, I use these:
1 – Inexpensive, quick, and easy for small workpiece use a cookie cooling rack.
2 – galvanized metal mending plates. Be mindful of off-gassing, need ventilation. These are also sharp be careful how you handle them. Can either mount permanently on a removable waste board or just place them as need. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Simpson-Strong-Tie-Pack-6-in-x-3-in-x-Plate/3047922
3 – Adjustable “honeycomb” from Amazon. I have a couple of sets of these and work great. Pricey, but cheaper than a lot honeycombs and expandable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT6CLYGY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1
Awesome idea with the pan - will definitely give it a try.
