Ready to buy a Glowforge? Use my referral link to save up to $500: glowforge.us/r/yNqbNs - I'm also creating an entire Glowforge course: glowforgeforbeginners.com
this is an incredible resource. you waste no time getting into practical examples and i totally appreciate all of the information! really well done video, john.
Great job John, thanks for sharing! I love how you have created a library of materials. Most people stick to just a couple. This demonstrates how versatile a laser cutter can be!
HAHA!!! Thank you! I wish that this video was sponsored by 3M because I bought A LOT of tape. It's a good investment though because I'll run through it. In fact, I used it earlier today on a bunch of wedding centerpieces. Thanks again :)
Thank you so much!!! I appreciate it. My beginner videos can be found at: glowforgeforbeginners.com - In addition the videos, I offer two live sessions each week. One is for absolute beginners and the other one more of a hangout. Also, I just moved into a new studio space with a permanent film setup. I’m starting to make a lot more RU-vid content starting the week :)
Thank you! I have many more Glowforge RU-vid videos planned soon! I'm trying to get my course off the ground first :) The next RU-vid videos planned include: Making your own laserable plywood, Making Inlays, Everything Adhesives, Engraving Photographs, etc. Thanks for watching! I appreciate it.
I just discovered you today and I am so glad I did! Your videos are incredible -- and your work is even more incredible! Thank you for sharing your plethora of knowledge!
Just an outstanding video! The information is top notch as always, but you’re really crushing the editing as well. Loved the stop motion timed to the music. [chef’s kiss]
Thanks!! I really do like learning more about editing - it gets easier with each video, although I'm still making a ton of mistakes. ha! And yes, I'd love to do more with stop motion. It's really fun. Thanks again for watching!
Great production value in this video and very informative, but seeing that massive custom carved razor blade you used during that rubber sample got my like. I had to respect the over the topness of that lol
This is a great video! I’ve done quite a few of these same experiments with the 3M adhesive and you were exactly right on every point. Such an awesome product.
Thank you very much! I really appreciate it. I hoping to release a few more over the next few months (custom laser plywood, shaper, inlay, etc). Thanks again!
John.... where did you go buddy... we need more videos. And did you finally finish the videos for the glowforge course? I bought it long ago and been excited for an update.
Thanks! Btw - I loved your most recent video.The tape could definitely help to bond some of your pieces - it makes things really clean. You’re going to workbenchCon this year, right? I just got my ticket.
Love your videos! You're a great teacher! Considering the course, specifically to learn how to create my own files, start to finish, in AI. Would you say that your course would cover that completely? Also, would you mind sharing a link or description of the cutting tool you used to cut your paper? It was metal and had a point at each end. Thanks for the videos. Definitely interested in the course!
Bought the Glowforge Pro & Love it!! I also bought your course and its fantasic. Question... Why did you stopped making videos on youtube?! Your teaching style is perfect.
Hi Marco! Thanks so much for joining the course! I’m working the next few months on the getting the course to a good place and then I’m going to start publishing new videos on RU-vid every two weeks or so… I’ve got a ton of new RU-vid videos planned :) thanks so much!!!
@@MarcoTheHEXican Ha! Thank you for the nudge!!!! I promise I have a bunch of videos planned for RU-vid in the fall. I'd like to get the material videos, the illustrator videos, and a few small project videos done in the course over the next month or two... and then I'm going all in on the RU-vid front. I'm so excited. This year, with a new born baby, full-time job, the course, and a business with a lot freelance I just could find any time to make RU-vid video (but I have all of the research done for a lot videos). I'm hoping to drop one or two videos in September :)
@@JohnKuiphoff Blessings to the family! Congregations! Looking forward to it all! Quick question, Will you be going over rasterized files etc? I'm trying to figure out the most optimal way to laser the same design/pattern across the glowforge. I believe converting the file as a rasterize file is the answer? Group all (engravings) then Rasterize?
@@MarcoTheHEXican sure! I can run a live session on raster images and photoshop. I’m your case, rasterizing might be the answer… would you be interested in a quick 1:1 session via Zoom this week so that we can check out your file?
@@JohnKuiphoff my small one is doing fine. Just selling small things like coasters for now. Got the school to order the glowforge using your referral, so waiting for that to come in at some point.
would applying a finish over the assembled parts affect the adhesion. Clear coats, hard-wax oils, polyurethane's etc. Have you tried and tested any of these with wood. Thanks and very useful and understanding video.
@John Kuiphoff you indicate the glowforge cannot cut metal, but you show the letters "metal" cut and you applied the 3M. How did you get the cut metal?
Hi David - I frequently use a service called sendcutsend.com. You can upload an Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or an .svg file to their website, pick out the type of metal you'd like to cut and you'll see the price right away. You can get a good amount of cut metal for $29.00.
Great Video! Thank You, I HAVE to get some of the tape. One question, is the tape somewhat optically clear? How does it look taping clear acrylic on clear acrylic or glass for example?
Hi, Terry! I did create an example using clear acrylic. It's clear enough... but not invisible. I originally had this in the video but the video was getting WAYYYY too long so I cut it back. Here's an image that I just took of the clear acrylic. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching! drive.google.com/file/d/19LzP5PysRVEnqTRl34NMg4D_BzRRqCCx/view?usp=sharing
@@JohnKuiphoff Thank you for the picture. I think it would be nice in person. I'll know soon enough because I ordered a roll of each of your recommended tapes.
I have a Glowforge and a roll of that 3m tape, love it. 👍🏻 I work in leather, and want to make my own makers mark stamp. I had one made of brass but want to make my own smaller version, becauseI can! :) I bought a sheet of delrin-have you tried it, and if so what settings did you use/recommend for it?
That's awesome! The maker stamps are great :) Yes, I've cut 1/8" Delrin using 225 speed and 100 power. Delrin gets a little gooey so you might need to monitor it extra carefully while it's being cut. Here are my settings for almost every material I use: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NAokOhtmSgbHMK4tKR9iXOBC7eTOmXQgVgS49QMq0SI - You can see Delrin on my materials video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-M5AkSfq8cPU.html
Looking for a large roll to cover the standard 12x20” sheets mainly for use with acrylic and wood. Where would be the your recommendation to buy this roll for best price? Thanks! I usually buy my transfer tape in 300’ rolls.
Which is the cheapest place to buy 3M 467 tape ? And the last method u used to trace out and stick the acrylic I was lost about it . It went by very fast . Thank you !!
Anyone know a good double sided tape like this that is a bit less permanent for laser cutting? I want to keep using a base but change out the names pretty often. Doesn't need to survive a concrete brick lol, but would need to hold its own weight well and not be a nightmare to peel off. I am just starting my search so I might find something myself but thought I would throw out the question since this was a very helpful video.
Just got our Glowforge. Several questions. What thickness do you suggest for door hangers and what program do you suggest to use? Are you going to offer classes?
Congrats on the Glowforge! In the past, I have used my Glowforge to cut door hangers out of 1/8" acrylic (and had a sign shop print and cut vinyl stickers to cover it). Almost any material should work for a door hanger - wood, bamboo, or even leather could work. I LOVE Adobe Illustrator but I have used almost every vector drawing software (Inkscape, Affinity Designer, Silhouette Studio, etc). And yes, I am working on a course right now: glowforgeforbeginners.com/ - it will include a few dozen pre-recorded videos, live weekly workshops, special guests (and instructors) and 1:1 tutoring. I'm uploading new videos to the course every week :)
@@jenniferledford8045 It sort of depends on the weather. 0.1" rounds are pretty thin - I'd try to get 0.25" if you can. Plywood tends to warp more in humid locations and you won't want to get MDF wet at all. The thicker the plywood, the less it will generally warp. You might have better luck finding rounds on Etsy. Others on the numerous Glowforge Facebook groups also sell rounds - it might be worth joining a few groups.
Any idea if Glowforge will engrave acrylic in order to make custom sosp stamps? Like a rubber stamp but with acrylic instead, that can be pressed into soap bars. If so, suggestions on where to get thicker acrylic for this?
oh sure, absolutely! The same technique would work. You can also use weld-on glue on the acrylic if the stamp is getting used a whole lot (although the tape should work okay, too). Or, you can simply engrave the .25 in or .5 in acrylic with multiple passes and you won't need tape or glue at all. That's a great idea. I'd love to see how your stamps come out.
I just don't understand why you placed the letters on the back of the sign? You cant see them from the front??? (1:09 "Now peel the masking off the back of the sign...")
I've been purchasing a lot of mine from Adhesive Ninja: facebook.com/groups/1534764520055438/. He's selling them in sheets. Although, I know that you can also purchase large rolls as well. I've purchased rolls through Amazon, however, there might be better suppliers out there. I'll ask the students in my course where they are getting there rolls from - maybe they have a good source for larger amounts of 3M tape. Thanks for watching!
Yes, a little bit. It's generally better than glue... but there are still some bubbly spots. My hope was that it would be perfectly clear... and in some spots, it is. But not every spot. This video was originally much longer... and it included this example. I shortened it because it was way too long. Although, I wish I left that part in. ha!
Hi Tyler, I'm using this for years: amzn.to/30lHkEe - Although, they recently included a "not for use in lasers..." as a CYA, I think. It's not vinyl - it's just paper. It's the stuff that pretty much everyone uses (see the Amazon comments for the product). I did buy another masking paper the other day just to try something different that doesn't include the disclaimer. ha! We'll see if it works as well. You'll also need an applicator to press it on real good - or at least something like a credit card.
I can only guess that it would work well for many years. I've tried it outdoors for quite some time in the extreme cold (and it's still good!). I haven't heard of any accounts of the tape weakening outdoors in the heat. I know plenty of sign makers that use it for outdoor use. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Are you referring to the stickiness on the sides of acrylic when cut? Sometimes extruded acrylic stays sticky for a few days when lasercut. It's generally better to use cast acrylic - it won't be sticky :)
@@JohnKuiphoff Yes, that's what I mean. I only use cast acrylic, but have issues with the 3M adhesive causing sticky edges after cutting. I don't have issues with stickness unless i'm using the 3M adhesive backing.
Any idea how to keep raw 1/8” baltic birch from having surface charring on the cut lines. Trying to make ornaments with the natural finish by masking before running but not having much luck.
In the past, I've used this transfer tape: amzn.to/2ZewsEV and apply it using an applicator (like the one used in this video). As long as it's on there real good, the surface should be perfectly clean. If you're in a pinch, you can also try using blue painters tape.
All I can say is that my Glowforge literally paid or nearly everything in my shop (but I use it a lot). Sure, you could easily make custom or personalized bike plates, keychains, maps, marked knives / flasks, etc. But I'm sure that you could think of something even better. I'd be happy to run a 1:1 demo (I do them a lot) if you want to try out some files. I can mail you the pieces we try out. My email is kuiphoff[at]gmail.com
Hi John: like the video BUT, You loose me repeatedly. For example, you tell me glowforge can’t cut metal but that it can cut tape, but what does that mean? How does cutting tape end up with the cut metal letters that you show being stuck to a metal backing? Completely unclear how this is happening or working. Many of your other examples are likewise unclear, what you are doing and how you are doing it. Another for example, it took me rewatching the pull apart the sheets episode several times before I finally realized that you had put that tape between those two sheets. I know this is all obvious to you because it’s all in front of you and you are doing it. But when presenting to a naive audience, you can’t assume ANYTHING, or you risk loosing us.😢. Another for example, you smear something goo onto the rubber, and the apply some kind of tape. What are you doing? Why are you doing it? What is the goo? What kind of paper? What kind of rubber? Your video is a string of taunting unanswered questions that just frustrate me more than inform ore instruct.
