Epilog Laser: 'Light' Woodworking

By Michael Dresdner
"“There are just some things only a laser will do,” explained Mike Dean when I asked him why a small shop or hobby woodworker would need a laser. “It’s the perfect tool for massively expanding your woodworking options. You can customize in ways you could only dream about before, and it is as easy as printing to a computer printer. If you can print, you can laser. It’s unbelievably easy to use.”

Mike, along with his two partners, Steve Garnier and John Doran, owns Epilog Laser, a company taking firm aim at the woodworking market. Although large shops and specialized manufacturers have been using lasers to cut wood for some time, Epilog is working to put that technology within our grasp."


Woodworker's Journal eZine:

Ceramics Classes

All of my knowledge and experience with clay seems to have no bearing on whether I can operate a wheel or not.

I started classes in January and signed up for the wheel throwing since it is something I have never done. It might go down in history as something I have never done. I am struggling but I will admit I am gaining a little in each class.

My plans on making use of the stido access have been thwarted by other committments and family health issues but I do manage to at least make the weekly classes. Maybe tomorrow I can shape my leather hard cup from last week into something recognizable.

Epilog News

Last spring I had a major problem with the laser and had Jim ready to load it on the uHaul and take it back to Golden. Eventually I managed to talk to a tech who thought he might know the problem and he walked me through the process of cleaning the encoder strip. It worked.
I was called the next day by the regular tech and he said I shouldprobably not have done that myself and that its a rare scenario. I disagreed and suggested it find its way into the manual as a maintenance item. I was told that if it did I would know and -- well I am pleased to report that it has now been added to the tech notes on the website -- and there is even an instructional video.
Please note that the directions are for ALL models and it is now recommended that this procedure be carried out once a month.

I guess I should not be surprised that the new drivers address the tickle problem that resulted in extended wait times if the laser wasn't used daily. This was another 'isolated' problem with my machine.

I built a computer

Yesterday I built the computer -- then I built the cabinet -- and, well... just kept going. Now if I could get it to talk to the laser life would be good.

Getting the Shop in Shop shape

A tour of the garage -- starting in the southwest corner


the laser area

storage area (a girl can never have too many clamps)

wood working area and benches

the southeast corner

and last but not least -- the view into the house through the open door

Through Red Mountain Pass

I believe this was just coming out of Ouray heading south (might have been above Ridgeway)but what inspired the photo was the way the trees in the foreground mimicked the distant mountains.

My 15 Minutes of Fame

At the End of the Desert...: My 15 Minutes of Fame