Laser Cleaner

[OldVWs Restoration]

I broke down and purchased a laser cleaner to use on my restorations. So far I really like it. Here is a sample video of it in use. Let me know what you think!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UU0KP5gpuE
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OldVWs Restoration

Saving one at a time!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZGq9icaPLujsReHRG50jA
http://oldvws.com

[viiking]

That's some dangerous piece of kit. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a stray accidental "shot". I'd be wearing a bit more PPE around my face. But that's me.

Lasers can travel some distance and that one looks like it could hit the ISS.

The only comment I would have is how hot is the metal getting and does it induce any warpage. It also looks like it etches the underlying metal. That may not be a problem.

I'm not a technophobe. Far from it but it looks really gnarly to me. What Wattage is its output?
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[OldVWs Restoration]

It is much safer than it looks. In the cleaning mode the beam does not do anything to objects further than 4ft out.

In cutting mode, it travels a bit further. In this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLgVYNeTrfQ at around the 2min mark I use the cut mode. It works a lot like a plasma cutter.

In the cleaning mode I usually have the wattage set at around 1000-1200w for sheet metal. For thicker stuff I set it to the max at 2000w. Yes, it does create heat. I never hold it in one spot. I would never use it for large flat panels.

In the cleaning mode it does not do any damage to bare metal. It only effects the paint and rust. Yes, it does look like it etched the metal, but when you feel it, it is perfectly smooth.

I really like it for cleaning up areas in hard-to-reach areas. For example, the engine compartment took me about 1.5 hours to strip it down. I didn’t have to clean all the grease and dirt off first. The laser took all the grease paint and rust off. I then wiped it down and primmed it. I could have sand blasted, but then I have to spend time cleaning all the sand out off everything.

In addition to cleaning and cutting I can also weld with it. I have only messed around with that part a little bit.
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OldVWs Restoration

Saving one at a time!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZGq9icaPLujsReHRG50jA
http://oldvws.com

[viiking]

Wow. Well I've learned something new today. Anything that can get rid of the old garbage must be worthwhile.

What's interesting is that you can cut that piece out and the length of the laser seems to be unable to cut anything behind it. You'd expect a laser to continue in a straight line for a fair while. Like there is an "effective" length that the beam cuts in. I guess that is why you have to change the distance from the cut?
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[70bus]

As a shop owner, I can see that investment being worthwhile. Sadly, as a mere rusty-bus owner, the cheapest one is about the cost of all the new sheet metal I need...

Still, looks like fun to use. Maybe someone rents one.
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Craig K
70 Neunsitzer
65 Pritschenwagen
"If Von Dutch was alive, he'd walk in there with a pistol and shoot these people." - Robert Williams

Raul the 65 singlecab

Karl the 70 nine-seater

[my3bugs]

wich one did you get ? i see em from 200 to 12 grand .....

[OldVWs Restoration]

I went with the one from LasersOnly.com The machine is from china, but they are in the US. They have parts in stock. It was $13500.
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OldVWs Restoration

Saving one at a time!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZGq9icaPLujsReHRG50jA
http://oldvws.com

[my3bugs]

Man , i wish you were my Neighbor !!!