About Me

[Joseph Rasmussen]

I am Joseph Rasmussen, 78 and retired. I now live in Blackfoot, a rural Idaho town not far from my hometown of Pocatello. We, my wife Bunny and I, sojourned in Phoenix, Arizona for about 20 years before moving here in late 2017. Prior to Arizona, I was a Technical Illustrator at the Idaho National Energy Laboratory.

From 2005 until mid 2018 I made a paying hobby from a Pinnacle Venus 12w desktop using Coreldraw 12.I called my little business Starfire Engraving.That laser is a metal tube and it ran out of gas, so to speak. I placed it into storage until I decided what to do with it. I had actually replaced that laser years before with a Morn MT3050D; but, had only used the Morn about 5 times in Arizona. It was placed in storage when we moved to Idaho

The Morn was brought out of storage in 2018 and hasn't engraved anything since. Why would a perfectly good laser sit idle for so long? Short answer my laziness, ineptitude and illness. I became frustrated with it, with the new to me software and odd handling of tasks. The Venus, Coreldraw and I were a team that was always dead easy to use.The Morn's software install had given me fits and a short while later I broke it while using the autofocus when i placed the work where the pin on the autofocus missed the work and the laser head ran into the work.

I also have COPD due to Asbestos exposure, complicated by Emphysema with resulting Pulmonary Hypertension, which is the real reason the Venus and Starfire weren't resurrected. Not looking for sympathy, it is what it is. BUT. i ain't dead yet and I agree with my wife that I need to make use of something that cost a lot of money and can become an enjoyable hobby. Although the mechanical has been repaired, the electronics are, as Russ would say; 'oh dear, what a disaster'. I made a huge mistake while trying to set it up again.

I enjoyed Russ' video and his delivery so much I feel he and this forum can help me either fix this thing or leave it on the tracks. I will now get a cup of cocoa and peruse this forum. Thank You.

[Pete Cyr]

Welcome Joseph. I am sure folks here can help you any issue you are having with laser. Just ask.