There I go. It started with a side bump. I just pressed it down.
Today after opening the GF to clean up the tray, I went to close the lid and a big CRACK gave me almost a heart attack…
Luckily it was just the door being unglued drastically from the hinges but I as totally new to this issue… Until I read some more, and more, and more posts about this here on the forums.
Holy cow!
What a LAME situation.
Thing is there are so many opinions and methods I’m not sure which one to choose and most date from even back early 2020’s.
Anyone has RECENTLY performed the fix and so far so good? Any public opinion on which is the optimal, final solution if any?
I just wanted to add that the stock hinges have become terribly hard to move! I dunno I guess it’s part of the problem but if they have become “frozen” or stuck / hardened over time, perhaps It’s better to replace them as well, if parts are available? I wouldn’t like to just split the glass into a trillion pieces by using adamantium glue and anyway being unable to move the assembly
Anything in the space between the lid and the lights can put huge leverage on the hinge. If there was a loud sound, that was the force exceeding the strength of the lid which means it was pretty strong.
The hinges are stiff by intention, very difficult to move without the leverage of the glass lid attached. That stiffness is what holds up the lid and keeps out from slamming shut from gravity.
I’ve started going back thru old threads on this, as it happened to me a few days ago.
I’m going thru difficult times with my health and financial situation, and am losing my home. My family has been rescuing personal and valuable items, so my GF was carried as it sat on my workbench into the back of my SUV, and transported 12 miles and down a VERY bumpy driveway - thankfully I keep those thick foam tiles in the back for my dog’s comfort, plus it was also on a folded moving blanket.
The tray was still in the machine, and to make it easier for my daughter to carry the machine around to the basement, I had her open the lid. As the machine was in “backwards”, we had to turn it sideways and when I opened the lid, it popped free on the left side. I hurriedly removed the tray and pushed the lid down as far as I could but the hinge was open about 30º so that corner was sticking up.
I’ve just started navigating stairs and felt strong enough to go down and take a close look, and some pics. I found I was able to gently, but firmly, press the hinge back to its closed position, so the lid sits (almost) flush again - I need to shim under a foot to get it perfectly flat.
I am happy to report, however, that I was able to flip to the wifi here, then perform a quick test print. I inserted the tray, and a piece of cardboard, by slightly opening the lid, and sliding in the tray with the material on top.
So the machine survived the unorthodox relocation, now I need to figure out which adhesive will be best. I have about 4 good options to consider right here already.
I had the same thing happen to me, I did a temporary fix with 5 minute epoxy but unfortunately it was a temporary fix. I did it a second time but to no avail. I finally purchased a bracket from Ebay that you can install with your lid & it permanently fixes the problem. I had actually ordered a new laser at the same time & I decided to just go with the new laser so the bracket I have was never used. I’m willing to sell the bracket if your interested. Let me know & have a great day.
For what I’ve read It’s just a temporary patch no matter what glue you stump up there, the design on this lid is definetly a flaw on the drawing board The forces implied seem to make any glue succumb after any amount of use as per other’s experiences.
The ebay aftermarket solution seems the cleverest and long term-est solution so far. I just ordered it.
I just replied eflyguy about the “temporary patch” any glue is, the ebay bracket and I just read YOUR reply, damnit! I already paid for it! So may be eflyguy will now grab yours
BEst of luck all, kudos to all your help and specially @ Jay for his video on his exact replacement that triggered me onto ordering it.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hArDPazQWZI)
Very saddened by Glowforge on this poor outcome as I assume no callback nor free fix kit was ever offered.
I’m not interested in a bracket but I appreciate the thought. They used epoxy to assemble them and my first machine died after 5 or 6 years with no issue with the lid. This one failed because of how it was not on a level surface, i.e. the chassis was twisted, when I opened it to remove the tray to make it easier to carry from my car about 100’ down a hill into the basement. I don’t consider it a design flaw.
Although I already had epoxy, I bought a fresh pack of the JB clear for the job. I trust my skills with adhesives (which is why I have about 8 around, 4 of which - including the old epoxy - would probably have worked…) What I had is probably 7 years old. I’ve got a plan for that already…
$146 shipping may have to do with the current tarrif insanity. To the poinr it is not, there could be more purchases added to the total without increasing the shipping or make much better dropped entirely.
The shipping out of the US shot sky high when they started using carriers instead of regular mail. It’s been that way for years. Are used to ship stuff all over the world, until the carriers increased their prices back in the mid-2000s.
Take the time to clean off as much of the old adhesive as you can. Get as many clamps on it as possible and let it sit overnight. Mine has held strong for almost a year now!
When this happened to mine, I looked at a bunch of posts, including this one. I came across one where they had cut some clips used to hold the hinge and lid surface together. I think they were cut from thick acrylic. Of course, I didn’t bookmark that thread, and now I can’t find it. Anyone have that link handy?
Normally I could design something like this myself in minutes, but I am staying at my ex’s, and the glowforge is in the basement. Getting down there and back once is pretty much the extent of what I can do in a day.
