We were so looking forward to getting back to making things again but alas, one step forward and two steps back!
First, we went to the storage and decided to try the first of the two Glowforge machines in the car. Although the box was a bit beaten up it seemed like it should be ok.
Unfortunately, that wasn't really the case.
I was hoping it was just off the rails but after lots of tactically applied brute force, I managed to get it back on the rails and it still refused to work (complaining about the air assist fan not being up to speed). Reading the docs about that error seemed to imply we just needed to clean the contacts but a thorough isopropyl bath and still no joy. I wonder if something like a contact or cable is damaged?
While cleaning everything down I discovered another problem and that is a broken plastic wheel. Apparently, this is a very common issue. Hopefully, I can 3d print a replacement to get us back up and running or at least continue to test and resolve the earlier issue!
On the positive side, I have my diode laser (X-Tool D1 Pro 10W) and my Gweike (on loan, so I might have to pay for that to go back to Gweike yet).
Like an absolute arse I couldn't find the power supply for my X-Tool laser, but after getting back to the apartment it seems I have mistakenly been using that power supply on my spray paint fume extractor ... which needs 12v instead of the 24v that this PSU supplies. Ouch! Nothing set on fire so hopefully I got away with that blunder.
Setting up the Gweike ended up working out ok, but again some bumps in the road.
Firstly, my Dell laptop hard drive has absolutely gone poof. This meant I didn't have a windows machine to use the software that they supply. I do, however, have a SteamDeck which I added Windows 11 to but the tiny screen, on-screen keyboard, and touch pad are a PAIN to use with laser software.
I will need to set up a monitor, keyboard and mouse regardless, so not sure if fixing the laptop or setting up a dock for the SteamDeck is the way to go.
Despite all that I managed to do a nice and clean test cut.
Smoke is going to be a big problem (the windows don't open in the workshop). I wonder if I could vent out of the wood burning fire chimney?
Speaking of the fire, I managed to get my third proper fire going in it but I have a lot to learn.
For example what does this do?
I am informed there are probably vents and stuff that I should open and close, plus do I make sure the doors are shut usually?
As a kid, my family had a coal-burning fire but I wasn't allowed too close to it. I understand how to make a fire (camping skills) but I do worry about what I don't know, especially things like stopping the chimney setting alight!