JN Woodworks

Here is a simple method to align top and bottom cuts with your laser to allow two sided cutting so you can cut twicet the thickness.

Two Sided Laser Cutting With my Opt Lasers XT8 and AVID CNC In this video I show how to align front side and backside cuts so that materials twice as thick can be cut with your laser.

I just added a touch probe to my AVID, and made a video to help others if they want to do the same. Explains how the current probe is wired, and how to connect a normally closed probe or touchoff in parallel.

How to Add a Normally Closed Touch Probe or Tool Setter to your AVID CNC In this video I describe how the AVID CNC touch plate works, and how to add normally closed 3D probes or tool setters to the machine.The documentation file I...

Made a short video review of the Opt LaserDock Pro.

Review of the new Opt Lasers LaserDock Pro The full kit can be found here:https://optlasers.com/performance-accessories/laserdock-pro-magnetic-laser-attachment-station-for-cnc-machines?opt=y2035The la...

I made a video on how to find your laser's best speed and focal height for cutting.

How to get the best focal point and speed for cutting with your laser In this video I show how to characterize your laser cut so you know the best speed and focal depth for your laser for the optimum cutting speed and quality.L...

I figured out how to use a laser with Vectric's new Sketch Carve Toolpath

Using a Laser With the New Sketch Carve Toolpath in Vectric V12 The new Sketch Carving toolpath added to Vectrive Vcarve and Aspire Version 12 was meant to be use with a router. However, in this video I demonstrate how y...

I just made a video on how to use a standard vectric router toolpath to generate a laser gcode file.

How to Use a Standard Router Toolpath in Vcarve to Generate a Laser Toolpath In this video I describe a few of the limitations of Vectric's laser toolpath for cutting and engraving, and how to use the profile and pocketing toolpaths i...

I did some cutting tests on various materials in my shop with the XT8 laser.

Testing the Opt Lasers 45W PLH3d-X8's Cutting Abilities In this video I test the XT8 blue laser's ability to cut various organic materials.This laser can be found on Opt Lasers' website at: https://optlasers.com/...

I finally worked through all my testing of the RapidChange ATC. This is my final review of this tool.
I think this is a solid, reliable addition to the AVID CNC.

RapidChange ATC Testing #5 - Final Thoughts This is my 5th installment of testing videos of the new RapidChange ATC. It is the final review in the series. RapidChange Website: https://rapidchangeatc...

I just finished a video on deep engraving in wood with my XT8, including how to convert the STL to a grayscale.
The laser worked better than it thought it would at that depth, my CNC has some "smoothness" issues though that I have to see if I can fix.

3D Engraving in Wood with Opt Lasers PLH3D-XT8 8 diode blue laser on an AVID CNC In this video I attempt to do a 3D engraving in wood converted from an STL file into a grayscale depth map. The 45W power and longer focal length lens of ht...

Finished my reliability testing on the RapidChange ATC.

RapicChangeATC #4 testing update I have just finished my reliability testing of the RapidChange ATC and cover the results in this video.First three videos in this series:https://www.youtube....

I tried out the new AVID Dust Shoe last week.

Review of the New AVID CNC Dust Shoe kit This is a first look at the new dust shoe from AVID CNC.

RapidChange ATC testing update.

RapidChange ATC testing update #3 This is my third video on the RapidChange ATC I have installed on my AVID CNC. In this video I cover the internal parts that grip the collet nut, and how th...

I just finished my first round of testing of the RapidChange ATC.

Preliminary Review of RapidChange ATC on my AVID CNC This is a preliminary review and summary of my first round of testing of the new RapidChange ATC on my AVID CNC.My first video showing some basic tool change...

I finally got my new Opt Lasers PLH3D-XT8 laser installed and a few hours to play with it. This is a preliminary review, and I will follow up with more details after I have had a couple weeks to play with it.

First look at the Opt Lasers PLH3D_XT8, 8 diode blue laser engraving head This a review of my initial impressions of the just released XT8 diode laser from Opt lasers after the first 4 hours of use. I will do a full review later a...

Just finished a review of AVID CNC's new laser kit

Review of AVID CNC's New Laser Kit In this video I review the hardware kit for the new laser setup featurign an Opt Lasers laser. This is a full plug and play kit (similar to their spindle or...

I just reviewed a Llambrich Precision Live Center.

Llambrich Precision Lathe/CNC Live Center Review In this video I review the Llambrich model R-200-RN small diameter live center.Llambrich USA Website: https://llambrichusa.com/Where to order: https://llam...

Today I found out my AVID CNC with a Slab Slayer surfacing bit will do a great job of resurfacing an aluminum cylinder head.

Resurfacing an Aluminum Cylinder Head with My AVID CNC and a Slab Slayer Bit In this video I mill down an aluminum cylinder head that is badly warped with my AVID CNC Router and a Slab Slayer surfacing bit.Link to Slab Slayer Bit Info...

I just finished a hidden art table made out of Sapele

Wall mount hidden fold-out Sapele art table with backlight This video shows the build of an art table I recently made that is essentially a large picture frame mounted to the wall, but has a hidden, fold down table ...

I just had to re-tram my CNC router, so I took the opportunity to make a video on my process for tramming the Z axis and the spindle axis.

Tramming both the Z axis and the spindle axis on an AVID CNC router In this video I show how I tram the Z axis travel to be perpendicular to the machine top, and then the spindle axis on an AVID CNC router. This process woul...

I added vacuum to my laser cutting honeycomb table as a hold down. It turned out to also work well as an air assist and kept my garage smoke free.

Vacuum hold down honeycomb table for blue laser CNC cutting In this video I add vacuum to my honeycomb laser cutting table that holds down the workpiece, as well as removes all smoke from the kerf as an air assist wou...

Just uploaded a video on CNC motor tuning in Mach4 to reduce vibrations.

CNC motor acceleration tuning in Mach4 to reduce vibrations that degrade cut and laser quality In this video I go over the pros and cons of changing the motor acceleration settings in Mach4 to reduce vibrations that degrade spindle cut quality and lase...

Opt lasers is having a Black November sale. Free shipping if you use code JimFS.

I just uploaded a video showing how to CNC laser on top of a 3D surface with Vectric Vcarve Pro.

CNC Opt laser customized wooden spoons on my AVID CNC In this video I show how to import a model of a spoon into Vectric Vcarve Pro, create the lettering, and laser the text on the contour if the inside of the s...

Someone asked me to do a video for beginners on CNC Vcarve sign making, so here it is.

Part 1 Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0vZYUfDwW4
Part 2 link
https://youtu.be/OhvoneMtmVk

Beginner's Guide to CNC Router Vcarve Sign Making Part 2 This is a beginners guide to Vcarve sign making. This video is part two of two, and covers the application of Oramask, carving on the CNC, sealing, and paint...

I got a new ceiling mount for my AVIC CNC and Mach 4 computer.

Ceiling mount articulating arm to mount my monitor and computer for my AVID CNC machine In this short video I show and describe the use of an articulating ceiling mount arm to hold the monitor and computer for my AVID CNC machine. This keeps t...

I just uploaded a video where I burned some pictures on stainless steel necklace pendants with my XT-50 laser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz50OKMm4rA

Laser engraving on stainless steel necklace pendants with the Opt Lasers PLH3D-XT-50 and my AVID CNC In this video I laser engrave some bitmap images on polished stainless steel necklace pendants using image rastering. CNC Machine: AVID Pro 48 x 48 https:/...

Just made a very short video on a customized phone case where we embedded a piece of cherry veneer with a lasered in scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNfzWQNTZw

Phone case customization using AVID CNC and OPT Laser In this video we mill out a pocket in the back of a cell phone case to receive a piece of cherry veneer that is lasered with a back to back Oregon/Arizona sc...

Some of the woodworking projects I have built over the years that did not involve CNC work. I have a separate album for CNC projects.

Just finished making a kind size bed out of Sapele. It has hand carved rope molding, and some CNC made components.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95tVpMk97oM

Making a king size Sapele bed with hand carved rope molding and CNC cut panels and rails. In this video I show how I made a king sized bed out of quarter sawn Sapele. I hand carved the top molding in a twisted rope pattern, and cut many of the ot...

Just finished a review of my new PLH3D-XT-50 laser head
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGSlaX-nDAU&t=2331s

Review of Opt Lasers PLH3D-XT-50 high resolution blue diode laser head for CNC machines In this video I review the the PLH3D-XT-50 laser head from Opt Lasers. I mounted it on my AVID CNC and review some of the issues (such as CNC vibrations) wi...