WHILE I wait for some of the materials I need to finish the Christmas order for the village shop, I have some laser maintenance to tackle.

Now an old hand at mirror cleaning and alignment, focus lens removal and cleaning as well as all the routine lubrication it dawns on me that I’ve never changed or topped up the water/cooling system. I’ve had the Flux laser nearly a year now and have never even checked the water, let alone changed it…and it’s recommended that;s done every three months.Oops!

To be honest, it’s fear of the unknown that’s stopped me tackling that job. It took me long enough to remove the cover and tackle the liar or cleaning/alignment. It’s delicate and complicated inside a laser cutter!

I watch a couple of videos, gather all the stuff I need and bite the bullet. The water in the tank is low…but I have to say draining the system, refilling and getting rid of any bubbles in the laser tube is fairly straightforward.

Once done, I get on with some sanding and other finishing jobs until the last buts of material I need are delivered.

I’d hoped to spend some time in the studio, but I really want to get this order finished and delivered to the shop tomorrow (Wednesday).

By 5pm it’s starting to get dark so I grab the chance for a walk through the forest. Then it’s back home and back to the production line.

Margaret h gets home with some shopping then she heads out to a local community trust trustees’ meeting while I finish off some more stuff int the office then prepare dinner.