Our hold down method is screws. For a 4'x8' 3/4" sheet, we use 6 screws around the perimeter of the sheet. This provides sufficient hold down for milling. For the vertically oriented machine, the sheet also rests on a small ledge, making it easy for the board to maintain position while fastening.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Can the vertical CNC router do about what a horizontal router can, like cutting out 3/4" cabinet doors from a 4'X8' formica clad sheet? If so, how do you hold it - with Vacuum? Is a vacuum system available?

Yes, you can find all of the instructions for the blackToe CNC Router here:
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-blacktoe-v4-2x4

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I recently purchase the BlackToe v2.1 (4x8) at a local school auction. The table is complete, however, it is missing the spindle and came in 4 (four) separate pieces. Are there plans for this machine that I would be able to use to reconstruct and determine if anything else is missing.

The lasing area for the blackTooth v2 is 20" x 24" or 580 x 600 mm.

The dimensions for the machine in general will be on the main product page when the videos are completed.

Thank you for the kind words.

Additional Information:
The lasing area for the blackTooth v2 is 20" x 24" or 580 x 600 mm.

The dimensions for the machine in general will be on the main product page when the videos are completed.

Thank you for the kind words.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi, question about blacktoothv2 laser engraver, what is the cutting area of the laser machine as I don't have clue how big it is, and are you’ll just use it like that ore it’ll have a moving Z axis, waiting for video 5, interested how it will progress. It’ll be very useful if you’d mention some dimensions during the installation. Thanks and keep up good work

The lasing area for the blackTooth v2 is 20" x 24" or 580 x 600 mm.

The dimensions for the machine in general will be on the main product page when the videos are completed.

Thank you for the kind words.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi, question about blacktoothv2 laser engraver, what is the cutting area of the laser machine as I don't have clue how big it is, and are you’ll just use it like that ore it’ll have a moving Z axis, waiting for video 5, interested how it will progress. It’ll be very useful if you’d mention some dimensions during the installation. Thanks and keep up good work

As shown in the instructions the laser tube that was used was a different model which had the metal end, compared to our full glass tube models we currently ship with the machines.
So there is no difference besides appearance between the two tubes.
The focus lens should be placed in the laser nozzle assembly and not on the laser tube itself.


Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I bought a blacktooth laser from you about a year ago.. I am finally getting around to installing the laser tube and I noticed that my tube does't have the metal end on it like all the pictures I've seen. is this a focus lense and can I purchase one?

100W and 130W lasers and power supplies can be equipped now, but we will have to special order them. Price point for the 100W will be estimated $150-$200 more than the 80W, and 130W $250-$300 more.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
When will 100W or 130W lasers be available for the vertical laser system? What will be the price point? Ballpark figures at least, please.

As long as you have enough air blowing at the cutting location, you shouldn't have a problem with charring. A 40 watt laser should be able to cut through 4 ply chipboard.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
is the 40W blacktooth laser cutter strong enough to cut through 4 ply chipboard with out horrifically burning/charring the edges? If you havent tried mabye you could as this is a must for anyone who will be using it to build architectural models. I would rather have this pre-verified before I give $2100 to have you build one

Yes, if the power supplies were supplied by us, we will exchange them with 110v equivalent power supplies.

Additional Information:



Additional Information:



Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hello, I am a student working on a CO2 laser. We recently ordered two 40watt CO2 laser tubes and two 40 Watt CO2 Laser Tube Power Supply at 220V. However, our school is unable to use them due to being 220v. Is it possible to exchange these for the 110v supply, or is there a way we can go about connecting it at 110v instead of 220v? Thank you.

The mirrors should be kept identical.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Will the new 100W and 130W lasers to be implemented for the very large vertical cutter feature the same lenses and mirrors as the 80 watt system? Will they feature the same focal distance and depth of field?

Can you check if there are cracks in the inner glass tube? Also, check to see if there is water between the inner glass tube and the outer glass tube. That will give you an indication of cracking in the inner glass tube.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I was in the process of aligning mirrors for our vertical XL and suddenly the laser does not fire anymore, there is an arcing sound and a light near the Anode (positive) connector of the tube on the very inside. Do you think the laser tube would go bad so quickly? how could we avoid this?

Same issue here -- TTL output from the AWC708C never seems to be pulled low. Still troubleshooting.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
MY LASER MACHINE VERTICAL DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE LASER TUBE, VERIFY THE POWER SUPPLIES AND THEY ARE WORKING WHICH THE PROBLEM CAN BE

This book offers an excellent platform upon which to learn CNC technology and fabrication no matter how old the book is. If you are new to CNC routers, I wuld highly recommend this book. The book will provide you with the plans and the knowledge to build a capable entry level CNC router and you will learn the fundamentals necessary to become successful with fabrication, maintaining the machine (and almost any machine), and how these complex CNC routers work.

The machine kits on this website were created as an upgrade or alternative to the book CNC router build. Specifically the blackToe CNC Router: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/cnc-machine-blacktoe-v4-2x4

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I bought the book that you co-authored (Build Your own CNC) a few years ago. Its not till now that I’ll be able to start the project. Are all the parts still available? The book is about 8 years old now so I’m wondering if its still worth building that design? (I don’t see a newer version of the book)

Make sure to check your supply lines. Air flow is especially important.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
hi, I atacched a laser system to my modified book machine. it worked fine for a few trials but for some reason has lost power and is not cutting through any more, it does engrave thou. what can I check for? I´ve tried everything I can think of.

With our blackTooth kit, if you were to go with our lowest cost machine being $1700. With the parallel breakout board the best new beginner programs you can use, would be Mach 3 and ArtCAM, since it is a good program for beginning users.

Now if you feel a little comfortable with CAD/CAM, I would recommend CAMBAM and is a good overall software since it has a large design screen which allows you to view your design more clearly.

Additional Information:


Additional Information:
I want to avoid the Parallel Port option and go with USB. In that case, is Planet-CNC Software, and ArtCAM the best combination? Does Planet-CNC do the same thing as Mach 3 only with different physical ports?

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I'm interested in buying your blacktooth laser engraver for cutting out inlays on woodworking projects. I am new to laser engraving/cutting, and CAD. What is the simplest beginning software setup available to allow me to cut 2D shapes and letters for inlay work?

We have the image at that size to encourage the purchase of the kit from us. This helps to keep buildyourcnc alive and allows us to fund development of other awesome low cost machines.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
could you make available a larger size picture of the exploded view of the BlackTooth laser cutter? I would like to use for reference when building my laser cutter, but it is too small to be really useful.

The Mach3 USB will not work with Linux CNC. You can use our parallel breakout baord instead (if you have a computer that has a parallel port available).

Here is the link to that interface:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-parallel-breakout-relay

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hello. I'm currently building my first CNC router, and I'm powering it with a 3 axis electronics kit that was purchased through your site. I chose to get the Mach 3 USB Breakout board, but now I'm wanting to try to use Linux CNC to work with the computer I have available. Will that work with this board?

Can you send me a link to the digitizer you are using?

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi my names is Minh Truong I would like to said thank you very much for your video I got the system mach3 working fine but one thing I can NOT set and config the digitizer on the board IN4 I am not sure how to setup because in the Mach3 pin 14 for digitizer Please shoe me hoe to set it up for the digitizer.

The space allotted for the laser tube on the blackTooth would not allow for a higher power laser tube. As the wattage of the laser tube increased, so does the length of the tube.

We do have a larger and more powerful laser in design and should be available in the second quarter of 2015.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Can you install a more powerful laser/tube for us if we pick the $2100 option to have you build it? It would be assumed that there would be a new price for the machine which would reflect the cost increase for the new laser. Please say yes, I know you can physically do it. I have faith in you

To verify, you are still getting the laser tube to fire, but the laser beam is weak and cannot cut or engrave any materials correct?

Have you checked your tube's tungsten post terminals to make sure they are getting good contact?
The Laser tube and laser power supply both have manufacture warranty, please email customerservice@buildyourcnc.com for further assistance.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hello, I have a blacktooth laser cutter, the machine has 10hrs of work, suddenly in the middle of a job the laser beam lost all power, I can still se the purple plasma beam but with no power or intensity, the tube is fine, water is running through and there is no arcing to the chasis or some other part. I think it might be a faulty PS how can I test it, Do I have a warranty on it?