New LS3060 some help needed

[robburge@sky.com]

I've been reading up on laser stuff and come to the conclusion that a new
LS3060 would suit me well. My needs are for general wood and plastic
modelmaking in 7mm scale mainly, and possibly rubber stamp making. I'm
nearly ready to buy one but would anyone be so kind as to answer a few
questions for me first?

Do you think the 3060 will be suitable for that?

The materials I would be using are: 1.5mm ply, 2mm mdf, .75mm perspex (or 1
mm), card and .75 'Rowmark' or something similar. I notice that HPC don't
stock any of these so do you know of a supplier for these?

I am a complete beginner, but I am fairly proficient at TurboCad so I think
I can do the drawings OK. Do the lasers respond to different colours/layers
for the type and sequence of cuts and etchings? If so are there any
standards for these?

Do these things travel well? I will have to have it delivered to Devon which is a long journey for the postman.

Does it have a decent manual?

Will the software run on my Vista laptop?

Sorry for all the questions but this is a big purchase for me and I have to
carefully as I have no experience in this field.

Many thanks

Rob

[Spooky]

Hiya Rob,

Lemme see if I can help a bit

Do you think the 3060 will be suitable for that?

Yes, very much so, my only caveat would be make sure that 300 x 600 is the max size your ever going to need. Nothing worse than finding your first job is 20mm bigger than your purchased capacity.

The materials I would be using are: 1.5mm ply, 2mm mdf, .75mm perspex (or 1
mm), card and .75 'Rowmark' or something similar. I notice that HPC don't
stock any of these so do you know of a supplier for these?

Yup try Lucy McNaughton at Hobarts, failing that SLEUK do quite a lot in the way of thin Birch Ply (and LitePly) Gilbert Curry plastics are also very good if you need large quantities or specialist plastics.

I am a complete beginner, but I am fairly proficient at TurboCad so I think
I can do the drawings OK. Do the lasers respond to different colours/layers
for the type and sequence of cuts and etchings? If so are there any
standards for these?

Yes, that's exactly how you set cut orders, by variations in layers power can also be varied on different layers as well as cutting / engraving speeds. There are no real set standards, I have a template set up in AutoCAD that gives me a number of layers named all according to the purpose I use them for. A quick purge when the drawing is finished and all the redundant layers are removed.

Do these things travel well? I will have to have it delivered to Devon which is a long journey for the postman.

No they don't, well, the machines do but tubes don't, after royal mail play Fifa 2010 with it you have bog all chance of the tube arriving in one piece. BUT Chris delivers the machines and tubes himself on HPC's own transport so postal damage isn't a problem.

Does it have a decent manual?

Being honest No, the manual is rubbish BUT also being brutally honest they are sooooo simple you really don't need one.

Will the software run on my Vista laptop?

Yes it will with no problem at all.

hope that helps a bit

Best wishes

Dave

ps: I'm in wilts Rob if you want to see one of the machines running before you buy?

[robburge@sky.com]

Hiya Dave

Thank you so much for taking the time for such a valuable reply which has answered some of my initial questions really well.

I am definitely going to buy one and I emailed Chris earlier with these questions (and a few more about prices, delivery etc) but his email account had 'exceeded the quota' so my email was returned; I will phone tomorrow.

Your offer of a demo/chat/cup-of-tea in Wilts sounds fantastic - I was born in Swindon and have family and friends there - easy excuse for a visit - where abouts are you. Can I bring a friend? - probably have to be a Monday as that is my free working day.

Thanks again

Rob

[Spooky]

Hiya Rob,

I'm in Enford just north of Amesbury, about 5 miles from Stonehenge

Sure bring along a friend I have quite a few projects on the go at the minute so will deff have something good to look at Mondays are fine this end, I can work what hours I like so I'm free pretty much anytime

best wishes

Dave

[robburge@sky.com]

Hi again Dave

I've had a look at Hobarts and Gilbert Currys websites but can't find SLEUK - have you a url for them please?

Very much like to come up and have a look at the machine running and to ask some questions - would you email me your details so that we can set that up?

Many thanks

Rob

[Spooky]

Heya Rob,

You have mail

[silverstreamdesigns]

What the H*ll was that last posting about?
Looks like this list's getting spammed!

[Spooky]

Indeed

I'm sure Chris will take care of it tiz the nature of public forums these days, always some idiot out to make a buck by spamming

Right I'm off back to finishing a 4 foot long apache model this ones fun, that's for sure, I'll get some pics up when it's finished

best wishes

Dave

[robburge@sky.com]

Bloody hate golf too!

[robburge@sky.com]

Dave that project sounds a monster - what laser do you use for that?