The blackToe 2'x4' cnc machine is sold as a kit only. We offer plans for the scratch (book) build machine that can be found here for purchase and also comes with a DVD showing the build process: http://www.buildyourcnc.com/cnckitintro.aspx and the plans for build in the book is on the CNC book page: http://www.buildyourcnc.com/Book.aspx.

You can use the same size stepping motors referenced in the book: http://www.buildyourcnc.com/category/elcombo

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I would like to build the 2’x 4’ blackToe2x4v40 CNC router. I have your book. I want to build the latest model blackToe2x4 v40. Are those the correct plans on your web book page ? Is there a bill of materials? If I use a Porter Cable 3-3/4 router motor what size stepper motors do I need?

The Greenbull machine can cut a very wide variety of materials ranging from foam to aluminum. We recommend the use of our 2.2kW spindle to allow the greatest flexibility. Aside from that, the most important thing is to use an appropriate end mill for the material you are cutting and to use appropriate speeds and feed rates.



BYCNC Response:
Our 40W laser can cut up to about 1/4" materials ranging from wood and acrylic down through lighter materials such as leather, fabric, foam, etc. Speed and final cut are greatly enhanced by an air assist upgrade. We also offer an 80W laser which has approximately twice the capabilities of the 40W.

Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
WHAT MATERIALS CAN THE GREENBULL MACHINE CUT? LASER ETCH?

The blackTooth Laser cutter and Engraver can be built in a weekend. Take a look at the build instructions and try to determine if you feel you have sufficient capability to put together the laser system.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How long does it take to build the 40 watt laser kit?

The gantry sides, gantry bridge parts, two 1/2" rods, two 1/2" ID bearings, two 1/2" ID 12 tooth sprockets, and extra roller chain.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE BLACK TOE TO FOOT UPGRADE?

Yes, we have cut many fabrics with the laser. Or CO2 lasers can generally cut fabrics and textiles without a problem. What types of textiles (materials) do you need to use with the laser machine? Is there a layering of materials?

Additional Information:
We would cut multiple heights of different carpets and even hard surfaces such as Vinyl composition tile, Luxury vinyl tile,etc. and I'm wanting to explore etching into plain color carpets using the laser.
I'm contemplating your 5' x 12' machine with the laser/spindle combo.
Is it possible to make a site visit to your location and see the capabilities of the equipment ?

Additional Information:
Carpets are not a problem as long as there are no materials in the carpet or in the carpet binding layers that will off-gas toxic fumes. Check the manufacturer's materials of all of the parts of the carpet.

The vinyl should not be a problem, just make sure there is no material mixed within the composite that will off-gas harmful fumes such as chloride. The chloride will mix with the hydrogen in the air and form HCL (hydrochloric acid) which can be harmful if inhaled, but can also affect some of the metallic parts in the machine.

We have cut vinyl with the laser with great results.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I own a custom rug shop where we design a fabricate custom floors of many types, Have you performed any type of testing using your 40 watt and or 80 watt laser for the cutting of thse textiles.

We offer a 4'x8' laser system that uses an 80 watt laser tube.
Vertical Laser XL 4'x8'

Our blackTooth 24"x20" laser uses a 40 watt laser tube due to the internal size constraints and that the laser tube is mounted on the gantry for ease of aligning and maintaining better power at the cutting end.
blackTooth 24"x20" Laser

Click the link to add information to this solution:
can I purchase the 2' x 4' laser with an 80 watt tube?

The Vertical Laser XL's 80 watt CO2 laser tube is capable of cutting lighter material such as wood and plastic at up to 1/2" or 12mm.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
am interested in purchasing the 80 Watt Vertical Laser XL 4'x8' Laser Cutter and Engraver, what material depth can it cut?

Depth of Field. This is how far the focal point goes before re-expanding again. With a 2" lens, you have approximately 2-3mm of DOF. This means that you'll have 2-3mm of perfectly focused laser before it starts to re-expand again. If you have a 4" lens, you will have up to 7mm of DOF.

Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
WHAT IS D.O.F OR DEPTH OF FIELD FOR THE BLACKTOOTH LASER AND LENS?

The blackTooth Laser cutter and Engraver can be built in a weekend. Take a look at the build instructions and try to determine if you feel you have sufficient capability to put together the laser system.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO BUILD THE BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER?

You can control our 40W laser power supply (which controls the laser tube) with an Arduino, if that is your intention. The trigger for turning the laser on and off uses a 5V level. To control intensity, you can use the Arduino PWM output. If you want the Arduino to move the machine as well (providing pulse trains to each of the stepper motor drivers) then you will need to make sure you consider the processing speed of the Arduino so you will be able to run the stepper motors at the speed you need for the laser engraving/cutting.

Our laser controller do all of these functions. Here is a link to our laser control system:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/Laser-Component-Laser-Control-System



Additional Information:
Thank you! I am building a 3 axis cnc/ engraver and I think this would be a good option as well as the router head and the 3d printing head. How heavy is the tube? I may mount it directly onto one of the axis of the machine to eliminate the need to line up all three axis, similar to what you have with your xl engraver.

Additional Information:
The tube isn't that heavy, but when filled with water, it can get up to a few pounds. The key is to use the axis moving the nozzle for engraving as this requires fast back and forth motion. The cutting is generally dependent on the axes moving from vector to vector at a relatively slow motion, so this is not a problem.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I would like to build a low cost laser engraver/ cutter, can your 40w laser power supply be controlled with an arduino or is it only controlled by the controller sold here?

Hour meter. This will tell you exactly how long your system has been 'on' giving you a more accurate bead on the length of your tubes life.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
WHAT CAN ADD TO MY BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER MEASURE THE TIME OF USE?

The blackTooth machine, as it is designed cannot be modified easily as the box within which it is contained also serve as its structure. We are currently designing a special mount for the greenBull (for the 40 watt tube) which will provide 5'x10' or 6'x12' work area and the machine is far less expensive than comparable 4'x8' laser systems. We are also developing a 4'x8' 80 watt system where the tube is in the horizontal orientation. More information can be found in the R&D section.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am interested in getting your 40W laser system. How difficult will it be to increase the size to 48" x 48"?

BYCNC Response:
The book build was intended to be 20 inches x 40 inches. Larger machines were designed after the book build was introduced so customers would have the option to go bigger than what the book offered. Check out our larger machines on the website as the machines sizes range from 1 foot x 3 feet all the way up to 6 feet x 12+ feet.

User Response:
I'm not wanting to spend $3,000+ on a machine, I want to build one that will do a 4x8 sheet of wood. Will the plans in the book scale up?

BYCNC Response:
It is possible to scale the book build up, but the rigidity of the gantry would be questionable at that span, even if the height of the gantry structure were to be increased. The gantry design would need to be modified to become a box shape rather than a flat configuration. The kits on the site were design for those wanting a larger machine.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I BOUGHT YOUR BOOK AND WAS HOPEING IT HAD PLANS OR DIMENTIONS ON HOW TO BUILD A CNC HOLD 4X8 SHEET OF PLY. WILL THE IN SCALE UP?

The greenBull 4X comes with all of the components and electronics to assemble the gantry of the machine. You will need to build the table. We provide the rails and roller chain for the X-axis (along the length of the table for full 8 feet of travel). You will need to provide some wire to connect the electronics and a computer to run the machine. You will also need to purchase the software that you will need to run the machine that matches how you will apply the machine. We suggest the mach3 control program. The CAM program is up to you as there are many options out there.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am interested in buying the greenBull 5X Long Z CNC Machine Kit, but it is not clear for me what is included in this kit. Is there anything else I need to get the machine work?

Shipping crate size 121" X 36" X 92"

Weight 511 LBS

Click the link to add information to this solution:
WHAT IS SHIPPING DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT FOR THE VERTICAL LASER.

Most of our products have a warranty that extends for 1 year; however, there are parts like end mills and laser tubes which are considered consumables. These parts, when used, become worn, or the usable life is decreased. Laser tubes are parts that, when used, shorten its life, and especially when proper methods are not used (i.e. running the tube with water), can drastically reduce the life of the tube. Therefore, the warranty for laser tubes are 30 days if the laser tube was not used.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
What warranty is there on the 40W laser and power supply?

A standard 40W CO2 laser will cut up to 1/4" thick of material, be it wood, acrylic, card stock, leather, fabric, foam, cork, etc. (Decent speed and final cut are heavily dependent on a strong air assist upgrade)

Metals cannot be cut due to the power level and wavelength of the CO2 laser. But it can be marked with special solutions like Cermark or Thermark.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
WHAT THICKNESS OF MATERIAL CAN THE BLACKTOOTH LASER CUT?

CO2 laser will not cut wood material fast at all. This is just the nature of the laser energy. The wood is a very low absorbent of the laser energy and you will need to run probably around 10 ipm to cut through the wood. CNC is much more efficient for cutting and laser as more efficient at marking or slowly cutting if you need the small kerf. You will also need a relatively high output air source to cut efficiently. The air will blow away the char (carbon) on the wood. The black char will absorb most of the laser energy not allowing the wood to be cut well. We use a compressor for the air source, but you can use a commercial hydroponic air pump instead.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
How fast can I cut 1/4" wood with the 40 watt CO2 laser?

The blackTooth Laser cutter and Engraver can be built in a weekend. Take a look at the build instructions and try to determine if you feel you have sufficient capability to put together the laser system.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
HOW COMPLEX IS YOUR KIT TO ASSEMBLE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - HARD IT SETUP CONTROL THE LASER WITH MACH3?