Anyone own a laser welder?

[ching0n]

I am seeing them priced at around the "miller/lincoln" level 3600-4k from China already so curious about performance/thickness to wattage ratio.

I think some are multi and can do cutting and cleaning:

Here's one for 3k for example:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805425113870.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.69.54fe4004mWV9r7&algo_pvid=aeac1291-c733-4dcf-9700-13102507c36d&aem_p4p_detail=202307200252316893139352106850000266893&algo_exp_id=aeac1291-c733-4dcf-9700-13102507c36d-34&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%211200.00%211200.0%21%21%211200.00%21%21%40211bf2da16898467518448909d0790%2112000033744870546%21sea%21US%21847495468&curPageLogUid=V1wl8WkTYd7J&search_p4p_id=202307200252316893139352106850000266893_7

 

[jonesg]

I see them for $59 .

 

[Debcrow]

My laser is not broken so why would I want to weld it?

 

[Rinspeed]

It's funny you post this because just yesterday I was at a supplier's and we watched a couple videos. One was a race and the laser was able to make four passes in the time it took to just make one with a Tig fusing only, no filler rod.

 

[tak1313]

I am seeing them priced at around the "miller/lincoln" level 3600-4k from China already so curious about performance/thickness to wattage ratio.

I think some are multi and can do cutting and cleaning:

Ooooo, as in cleaning rust like some other YT vids show for laser cleaners (though it looks like it would just be a really tiny area at a time)?

 

[ching0n]

Ooooo, as in cleaning rust like some other YT vids show for laser cleaners (though it looks like it would just be a really tiny area at a time)?

yes, exactly like that. On the video above @ around 3:58 they show the cleaning function. You can select the focal width to clean wider areas.

It's funny you post this because just yesterday I was at a supplier's and we watched a couple videos. One was a race and the laser was able to make four passes in the time it took to just make one with a Tig fusing only, no filler rod.

yes, the vid above @ 5:03 it shows no filler then switches to filler like a mig.

 

[vpd66]

Doesn't seem very safe. I run laser welder where I work and all the welding is done in a light tight area. Meaning you can't be expose to the brightness of the laser. We load the parts and they rotate into a small (10ftx10ft) room where robots do the laser welding. There are cameras with tv screens on the outside to monitor the welding process. I find it hard to believe they are doing it out in the open. Where they demonstrate how it can clean metal looked scary to me. One slip and you could get a nasty burn and the operator was not wearing gloves!

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

...One slip and you could get a nasty burn and the operator was not wearing gloves!...

I think Youtube videos are exempt for needing PPE for welding. Maybe he used sunscreen to protect him from the UV light? I've seen videos where a welding helmet isn't used while tacking. Must have welding lens built into their eyelids. My eyes mean a lot to me. Going through life without them would ****.

 

[ching0n]

Doesn't seem very safe. I run laser welder where I work and all the welding is done in a light tight area. Meaning you can't be expose to the brightness of the laser. We load the parts and they rotate into a small (10ftx10ft) room where robots do the laser welding. There are cameras with tv screens on the outside to monitor the welding process. I find it hard to believe they are doing it out in the open. Where they demonstrate how it can clean metal looked scary to me. One slip and you could get a nasty burn and the operator was not wearing gloves!

well, you never see the operator's face so I just assume he's wearing eye protection; I dunno if you'd use a normal hood or laser specific lenses. A camera doesn't care and I don't think anyone behind the camera even has to wear something (tho they might be).

As for handling the welding w/o gloves, yeah that's unsafe though I've tacked plenty pieces barehanded. I think they're trying to showcase the minimal heat affected zone and the metal remaining relatively cool by foregoing hand protection. I suspect UV radiation may be low in comparison to traditional welding though I'm speculating.

In an industrial setting you've got liability. If a robot goes haywire and points a laser in the wrong direction, it could blind/kill someone. Most automated welding is also covered by welding curtains too.

 

[ching0n]

I think Youtube videos are exempt for needing PPE for welding. Maybe he used sunscreen to protect him from the UV light? I've seen videos where a welding helmet isn't used while tacking. Must have welding lens built into their eyelids. My eyes mean a lot to me. Going through life without them would ****.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

I need to say no more.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I have no need for a laser welder, my mig does all I’ll ever need it to do, but I really WANT a laser welder..lol

 

[jonesg]

I want to know the effective range. do they come with gun sights.

 

[Not So Legendary]

In commercial use you have to treat them more like a laser than a welder, so you'll need laser blocking panels and more safety gear and lockouts.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I think Youtube videos are exempt for needing PPE for welding. Maybe he used sunscreen to protect him from the UV light? I've seen videos where a welding helmet isn't used while tacking. Must have welding lens built into their eyelids. My eyes mean a lot to me. Going through life without them would ****.

 

[Jagmandave]

I think that's just for the laser part, you still need to buy the wire feed part too. But if I coud lget one for around $5K, I'd be in like Flint! Problem is it probably would only weld paper thing sheet metal at that price. The ones that go up to 2000 watts are more like $20K, but then I don't know how much you need to weld, say 1/4" steel, aluminum or stainless.....

 

[ching0n]

I think that's just for the laser part, you still need to buy the wire feed part too. But if I coud lget one for around $5K, I'd be in like Flint! Problem is it probably would only weld paper thing sheet metal at that price. The ones that go up to 2000 watts are more like $20K, but then I don't know how much you need to weld, say 1/4" steel, aluminum or stainless.....

I think that may be the "western COO" premium. Ali listings are all over the place though this one does seem to have accurate pricing for 1kW, 1.5kW, and 2kW units w/the wire feeder optional for the 1k unit. note: I am not advocating anyone go and buy from many of these vendors; I've done little homework on them myself.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805570200591.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.11.65e05e2bdVAC0N&algo_pvid=d1e8f897-79da-4f3b-b492-fb827b9cb072&algo_exp_id=d1e8f897-79da-4f3b-b492-fb827b9cb072-5&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%214903.50%214903.5%21%21%2135000.00%21%21%40211bf49716899848901095240d074e%2112000034243267064%21sea%21US%210&curPageLogUid=geK0EpyRFrdt

 

[LXCam]

A year or two back one of our guys bought a laser rust remover. I wish I could remember his name but.. you might try searching laser rust remover and see if it pops up and get an update if possible.

 

[Jswain]

A year or two back one of our guys bought a laser rust remover. I wish I could remember his name but.. you might try searching laser rust remover and see if it pops up and get an update if possible.

In my head the lack of updates to the thread paints the picture. Or maybe it works so good he's now a billionaire, who knows

Laser rust removal and welder?

I am thinking of buying a Laser rust removal machine. Yes they are expensive but they remove rust and pant and debri and make the surface ready for paint. I was looking on the Alibaba website and they run 6-9K for a 1000Watt unit. I found one on Amazon that also does welding. I currently...

www.garagejournal.com

@ng8264723 where's all the fricken lasers at

 

[LXCam]

You might be right jswain.

 

[JradM]

I need a laser rust cleaner in my life. I don't understand why this isn't our collective top priority.

If it only has a square centimeter bean width - fine, I'll go slow.

 

[ching0n]

In my head the lack of updates to the thread paints the picture. Or maybe it works so good he's now a billionaire, who knows

Laser rust removal and welder?

I am thinking of buying a Laser rust removal machine. Yes they are expensive but they remove rust and pant and debri and make the surface ready for paint. I was looking on the Alibaba website and they run 6-9K for a 1000Watt unit. I found one on Amazon that also does welding. I currently...

www.garagejournal.com

@ng8264723 where's all the fricken lasers at

I pm'd him to chime in.

 

[ching0n]

I need a laser rust cleaner in my life. I don't understand why this isn't our collective top priority.

If it only has a square centimeter bean width - fine, I'll go slow.

I smell a group buy brewing....

 

[theoldwizard1]

The ones they use in manufacturing are INCREDIBLY expensive and potentially very dangerous. A friend worked a a major robotics company. The always pre-built the entire robot, including the "end of arm effector" (usually third party) and tested it. The laser was bouncing off the test target and making holes is something else. YIKES !

 

[ching0n]

I need a laser rust cleaner in my life. I don't understand why this isn't our collective top priority.

If it only has a square centimeter bean width - fine, I'll go slow.

edit: seller has 0% feedback as of right now:
FWIW, looks like you don't need much power for laser ablation (cleaning). This unit seems cheap enough (note shipping):

removed; likely fraudulent

Going by power I expected even a cheap laser engraver could do it and it turns out that is the case:

 

[danski0224]

A camera doesn't care

If you mean a laser beam hitting a camera is OK, it's not.

Even effects lasers at a concert will take out a camera sensor if the laser hits the sensor.

More than 1 video out there that shows the results.

 

[ching0n]

If you mean a laser beam hitting a camera is OK, it's not.

Even effects lasers at a concert will take out a camera sensor if the laser hits the sensor.

More than 1 video out there that shows the results.

No, I mean the UV radiation from the weld pool.

 

[ng8264723]

I actually have two lasers. Both are 3 in one machines. Unfortunately, I have been doing so much rust removal that I haven't ever set them up for welding and or grinding.
There is a learning curve for these things. I have a Zero blast bead blast cabinet and the laser blows it away for cast iron. It is amazing. There is nothing like it. Cleaning an old ****** is the best with a laser and you don't need to worry about beads. You can clean a ****** assembled. I'll have my son post a pic of the C-4 he did. The laser has it's weaknesses. It is NOT good on sheet metal and warps the metal. It is good for frames and floors but you need to be careful on floors. It is awesome for engine blocks and anything covered with oil.
I still need to set it up for welding. I just haven't has a chance. Both my machines are 1500 watts. They were around 10K shipped. There is a learning curve with these things. They are very sensitive to voltage and you need to have 225 +/- 5%. This is VERY important. I have 249 volts and need a step down transformer. That was $600. I bought it b/c I thought it would save time on my restorations. It definitely does but it isn't cheap and you need to be your own technician because when it breaks no one will help you. I am willing to help anyone if they PM me. I am not a laser technician but I have learned a lot

 

[ching0n]

I actually have two lasers. Both are 3 in one machines. Unfortunately, I have been doing so much rust removal that I haven't ever set them up for welding and or grinding.
There is a learning curve for these things. I have a Zero blast bead blast cabinet and the laser blows it away for cast iron. It is amazing. There is nothing like it. Cleaning an old ****** is the best with a laser and you don't need to worry about beads. You can clean a ****** assembled. I'll have my son post a pic of the C-4 he did. The laser has it's weaknesses. It is NOT good on sheet metal and warps the metal. It is good for frames and floors but you need to be careful on floors. It is awesome for engine blocks and anything covered with oil.
I still need to set it up for welding. I just haven't has a chance. Both my machines are 1500 watts. They were around 10K shipped. There is a learning curve with these things. They are very sensitive to voltage and you need to have 225 +/- 5%. This is VERY important. I have 249 volts and need a step down transformer. That was $600. I bought it b/c I thought it would save time on my restorations. It definitely does but it isn't cheap and you need to be your own technician because when it breaks no one will help you. I am willing to help anyone if they PM me. I am not a laser technician but I have learned a lot

Awesome. I suppose you're only using a fraction of that 1500W to clean parts and it's sized for welding/cutting. Do you know how many watts you use when rust cleaning? Did your machines come w/the 3 heads necessary for welding/cleaning/cutting or did you have to buy them extra?

 

[James Peck]

I had a Jeep 4.0 with a hairline crack above the @4 piston. It could only be seen with the head off. I spent several hundred for a new head. I would have preferred to put the money into a welder.

Top 5 Handheld Laser Welders You Should Consider: A Comprehensive Review - Baison

In the fast-evolving world of welding technology, handheld laser welders have become one of the most convenient and reliable solutions. Whether you are a professional welder seeking the perfect tool for your trade or a DIY enthusiast looking to take your projects to the next level, there is a...

baisonlaser.com

 

[ng8264723]

Hmm
Most of the time we are 80% on rust cleaning. We haven't done welding yet............

 

[ng8264723]

Here are some frame pics

 

[LXCam]

That’s impressive. How long did it take to clean all that up?

 

[ng8264723]

I would have to ask my son but it is usually pretty quick. What's nice is it burns the oil off and as you can see the back of the truck is nice. Unlike sandblasting it doesn't make too much of a mess

 

[ng8264723]

I asked my son he said it took a long time. Mostly because of the wax on the frame. He then cleaned the frame with laquer thinner and sanded it quickly

 

[Jswain]

I asked my son he said it took a long time. Mostly because of the wax on the frame. He then cleaned the frame with laquer thinner and sanded it quickly

Define long time

 

[Jagmandave]

So, anyone buy one yet?

They used a really powerful one to clean a Range Rover frame on one of Edd China's shows, took a loooonnnnnggggg time and I think a sand blaster would have been far quicker and maybe given a better result, although the sand blaster would have left a mess.

 

[Jswain]

TBH the frame pics previously posted either poorly represent what it looks like in person, or leaves a lot to be desired. When sandblasted the metal would be like new.

Don't think I'll run out and buy one anytime this decade

 

[Old Man Roger]

Ya, I still want one..lol

 

[yhprum]

There is a guy on instagram called hydra_blast_restorations that has a laser for removing paint and rust. He uses other methods too, sometimes all on the same job. Seems like it’s good for some things, and the other methods for other things. So it’s not ideal for every job, just like most tools.
But, I still want one too