You gotta see this ... laser rust removal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLaBFkeHG0A

I saw that. I bet that cost some major coin.

I'm calling BS on that.

http://www.cleanlaser.de/wEnglish/produkte/high-power-cl-1000.php

How does the magic laser get rid of the pitting?

How does the magic laser repair metal that is too thin to weld?


They were working cast iron. That stuff cleans up easy and leaves a decent finish.

You're looking at more than $350,000 for a decent system and then you still have to replace the trashed sheet metal.

Look at the second video taking paint off a car, and the reply "What kind of sorcery is this?"

"How does the magic laser get rid of the pitting?" - No, Does sanding or sandblasting get rid of the pitting?

"How does the magic laser repair metal that is too thin to weld?" No, does sandblasting or sanding repair metal that is too thin to weld?

Looks to me to be a relatively fast, non destructive, and not to mention MESS FREE alternative to abrasive cleaning.

I'd think asking whether there is usually heat distortion, consumables necessary, are toxic fumes generated, or cost to run (electricity) would be more educated questions.

How does any form of rust removal get rid of pitting ?!?!?!

How does anyone repair metal too thin to weld ?!?!?

Its a "rust removal process" you moron, not a panel replacement process!

Then what is it good for, you moron?

$350,000 so you don't have to sweep up the rust dust?

Yeah, I'll pass.

Don't know the cost of the machine but I'm sure it's $$$

As far as how it works see the following,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_ablation

Looks to me like that rusty piece was a sheet steel stamping. Note the edges with the cutouts for screws.

Any way you slice it, it's pretty cool.

The neat thing about this technology is that most of it eventually trickles down to us in affordable form. For example, ultrasonic thickness testers are down by a factor of 100 from when I first became aware of them. The Chinese copies might not be 0.001" accurate but even so they're pretty useful. Same for infrared thermometers. ETC.

And boys, enough with the name calling!

R.

Some people are pessimistic about everything ... "what good is a 59 cent mouse trap if you still have to dispose of the mouse" ... "welfare is great but why do I still have to cash the check"


Anyhow, I give it 3 years and you'll see an affordable unit in Harbor Freight.

in 3 years you will find a cheap knock off
that works like total crap at harbor freight

it might be the next best thing to come along
but i can't see it happening anytime soon.

We have a machine at work that works off of the same theory. We use it to polish EDMed surfaces to a mirror like finish. It will slightly round sharp edges if you aren't careful. We use it on hardened steel.... usually Rc 56-58.

on the first part

On the second part, probably doubtful due to the Safety / Liability issues associated with higher powered lasers.

Yeah, like Harbor Freight is worried about safety or liability.

Ill take one then for sure.

Tell me what the difference is between a laser and a drill ... in the hands of an idiot they'll both do damage. You can buy a laser pointer anywhere and those can cause blindness. Not to mention every single American has the right to bear arms - how safe is that ?!?!

Correct, these work in the same way as EDM (Electronic Discharge Machining) does, EDM's have been used in the building of hard steel injection mold making for decades). I see this as a cool new way to do a dirty job. Someday the prices will drop and we can have one in our tool boxes.

Maybe one should read up on regulatory compliance for high powered lasers before spouting off

A helluva LOT safer than if we didn't!!!
And technically you are wrong. There are many Americans who DON'T have the right.

Try thinking before spouting off.

So is this post about a laser rust removal tool, or is it some kind of a political agenda? Don't forget this is an international forum.
Not to mention the name calling.
Never seen a post self destruct like this one WOW!

I believe a sand blaster could be quite harmful if used wrong but a lot of us, even a novice like me use them safely.
I think a laser would be nice and clean compared to my sand blaster.
For now though, I will just have to do my blasting out side and clean up after.

Stanton is the one that turned it political by tossing in his political view of our 2nd amendment, and considering he's apparently not an American I would postulate that its none of his business.

Technically Canada is in America. Just not part of the United States.
America North or South is a continent and not a country.
Sorry If I ruffled feathers, the comment was more a general statement, and not just aimed at you.

Maybe one should realize that any product Harbor Freight sells would have to meet those same regs !!!!

Well, I wasn't the first person to take this topic off on different tangents !!

Yes, EDM isn't new, S&W has been using it for a number of years to 'cut' the barrel rifling on some of their handguns.

Hope it won't be long, gotta lot of rust and I'm getting old and lazy.
I can see this would be great for shaving and cutting grass, ideas are endless

No more chemicals and scraping 100 year old paint off house trim, etc.

Hmm not the same regulations for drill bits etc.

Have someone pinch you.

The Chinese are well know for forging certifying marks and such.

UL, TUV, CSA "certifications" have all been documented to have been fraudulently used by Chinese manufacturers.

How about the lead paint used on kids toys

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/19/business/worldbusiness/19toys.html?_r=0

How come the regs they'd have to meet didn't get met?

Plenty more examples and pretty much everything HF sells is made in the Middle Kingdom so have faith in your regs and I'll have faith in not buying their crap.

I think you ate too much of that lead paint !!!

Should be good for back hair.

Would you put that in your wife's hand? Chilling thought.

....didn't say whose.

Geez guys, lighten up. It's only Weds.

It was an impressive demo. I find the concept very interesting, but then I'm still amazed every time I see a water jet cutting steel or dry ice blasting. I wonder if special ventilation or respirator protection is required.

It's an amazing world we live in with all the new products coming at us nearly every day.

No need for this subject to implode from the hard/hurt feelings.

You should stick to subjects you actually know what you are talking about, it'll make you appear less stupid.