Got the xy moving under Chromebook / Arduino control. Next I think the motorized z height bed. I’m kind of torn I want to rip it all apart and make it much bigger. Like an enclosure about 1500x1000. Maybe I should make it cut something first.
What are you trying to cut? It makes sense to build for the purpose of what you are trying to achieve :).
Mostly birch ply. Not much. Mostly for my wifes business. I want it to take over the work of my 2watt laser that’s mounted to my CNC machine that does all the engraving. Some of the stuff is too tall to fit under the gantry. And this laser can do the engraving much quicker.
So you are replacing a 2W laser with a 40W CO2 for engraving? I would say test it out first in the current build. Expanding a build can increase the cost quadratically.
True. So far I’m just into it for a little over 100 bucks. I had just about everything laying around and just pieced it together. The biggest cost will be the aluminum extrusion. But I found a local 80/20 dealer close by so I can save on shipping.
My biggest cost has been the motors and electronics. Open builds aluminum extrusion has been very affordable for me. 
Try misumi they have the best 80/20 options I’ve seen
Can you elaborate why you are replacing the electronics on this machine? Do you plan on doing bitmap engraving or just cutting?
The stock main logic board only responds to some proprietary windows software which is universally considered garbage. I plan to do both, cutting and engraving.
Cool. I am about to become the “proud” owner of a similar machine. I will stayed tuned.
Keep us posted @Michael_Bridak_K6GTE . Very interested in what you find out.
My MO mirrors arrived today. I was able to align the beam in about 10 minutes. A whole lot easier since I straightened the frame.
Fantastic. Can you share with us some info on where you get the MO and what did you decide to get for your laser? I am contemplating upgrading my laser diode as well and would like to learn from others when I can.
I got the MO mirrors from here http://www.ebay.com/itm/20mm-MO-Reflective-Mirror-Reflector-10600nm-106um-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-/231239184094
I’m going to try it out with the arduino. Just to mess around with it for a bit. But I don’t see sticking with that. the Interface (senders and the like) just seem half baked and fragile. But i’m going to take a look at grbl 0.9 before I decide. Seems promising. In the end I may just end up throwing a headless LinuxCNC box on it. Then connect to it via VNC.
I still have to make a cutting bed.
Thank you for the info. Please keep us updated.
That tube is not powerful enough for a much larger table.
I ran the DSP controller. Best investment I had ever made
Why is that @Anatoliy_Pishenin ? Does a bigger table reduce the tube power?