Glowforge shipping date, beta releases, and bonus materials

[PFI-Guy]

Here are some examples:

Great way to locate others near you (voluntary and incomplete)
Glowforge Map

Glowforge Map

Hey GlowForgers, I started a Google map so GlowForge supporters can share where they are and see where others are too! Edit: I started the map and included my referral link. I would really appreciate if the person who keeps editing my link would stop doing that. I added myself to get the ball rolling. Regards, MakerBlock

@dan

dx.com is a good place to go for unaccountably cheap rare earth magnets.

The Industry Leading Domain Broker - Media Options

@bwente

Hopefully polyester will cut as well. I picked some polyester felt on amazon.

Free Vector art

Free Vector art

http://www.vectorart.com has some nice free vector art.

@Jamie

I have some tips bookmarked (well one version anyway).

Instructables - 10 laser tricks

10 Tips and Tricks for Laser Engraving and Cutting

10 Tips and Tricks for Laser Engraving and Cutting

@smcgathyfay

I use acrylic cement

https://www.amazon.com/Weld-Acrylic-Adhesive-Applicator-Bottle/dp/B0096TWKCW

Adhesives decision chart

Adhesives decision chart

Here’s an adhesives chart that might be of value. http://i1.wp.com/makezine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/adhesive_chart_big.png

@dan_berry

When you think about it, $7.95 a month isn’t all that bad of a price compared to the $295… you’re paying less if you get under 3 years use from it. It’s one of the few that works well with color bitmaps.

If you have simpler needs, you can give the potrace freeware a try. It’s not quite as user friendly, and doesn’t exactly do colors (but it does know about them and has pre-processing to deal with them)… but it seems to produce some good results if you’re comfortable experimenting with that sort of thing.

edit: You can use a web-based (but settings incomplete) interface to it at http://www.vectorization.org/ or try http://www.autotracer.org/ for color images.

Vector Magic tracing program

Vector Magic tracing program

I’ve done quite a bit of hobby graphic work and thought I’d share one of my favorite little programs called Vector Magic. If you aren’t familiar with working with vectors/graphic programs, it’s a good time to learn before getting your Glowforge! This program is a little gem and maybe someone can find it useful Vector Magic is available for online conversion or you can download the program. I use both Corel and Adobe and Vector Magic typically does a better job with tracing and…

Online PDF box generator with symmetric notches – makeabox.io
Online PDF box generator with symmetric notches – makeabox.io

Ceramic Industrial Magnets
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018ITTFDM

Materials:

Premium Baltic Birch Plywood
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016H589HC

Gluing:
Insta-Cure (Super Glue)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NI4JWI

Measuring Tools:

Stainless Steel Digital Caliper
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HP0LE2U

DBPOWER 30X 60X Illuminated Jeweler’s Eye
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K0BGNNC

Digital Angle Finder Smart Tool Set
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMUDZEG

For Weeding:

Dentist Tool Kit Bundle
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01997ANH4

Gorilla Tape
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CSS8UE

Cleaning:

Plastic Razor Scrapper
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HTELYP4

Isopropyl Alcohol
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B5JT8C

MORE Adds:

Safety Laser Glasses (For Class 4 Environments):

Downgrade from Pro to Basic?

I have these: And these: The Redsail is Class 4 and the K40 should be since there are no interlocks preventing its use with the lid up BTW, they’re both 6 ODs which means they attenuate the laser transmission by a factor of 1million (.0001%).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HJMS4A

New Protective Goggles for Co2 Laser 10600nm 10.6um Safty Glasses-absorption...

Fire Extinguisher

@henryhbk

What type of fire extinguisher did you use?

Whatever this was… (The shop manager had pointed it out before we started “just in case”)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001229JCU

Masking Materials

@takitus

3 of these:

Lost Redirection

LaserBits got bought out. Here is the current link:
http://www.johnsonplastics.com/glassguard-12-x-100yd-paper-mask-for-laser-engraving

Acrylic Tools

@smcgathyfay

I score and break my acrylic all the time…its not bad once you get the hang of it…
I use one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LJP4RE

Paints

@cynd11

Anyway, besides the fact that engraving on acrylic is really awesome, I thought folks might be interested in a different material for color infill.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JL4HV6
http://www.hobbylobby.com/Beads-Jewelry/Mixed-Media-Jewelry/Embellishments/Weathered-Copper-Vintaj-Patina-Kit/p/105950

Powder Coating/Toner Use

@smcgathyfay

Wait!! Stop the presses!!

Seems having a thick layer is promising. Now I understand why it was mentioned to squeegee on the color.
Check it out

First of all, pouring out toner is messy…lol

@smcgathyfay

Looks like this product has been used., and is a bit cheaper…
http://www.eastwood.com/hotcoat-powder-coating/powders.html

handverker: laser cured powder coat on acrylic

@Hirudin

I ordered a roll of blue polyester tape from Prismatic Powders (along with a variety of colors of powder) and it came in today. Unlike the Eastwood stuff, this stuff is only rated up to 400ºF. Meh, whatever… So, I put some on an aluminum thing I made.

https://www.prismaticpowders.com/colors/SE-126/HIGH-HEAT-TAPE-3-INCH/

@Hirudin

The tape is pretty easy to apply. It also doesn’t need to cure for multiple hours