# Having a hard time with the jtech 3.8 and piclaser/sender **URL:** \ **Category:** Laser Cutting\ **Created:** [December 13, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349 "2016-12-13T05:01:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JonScalise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a5b964/32.png) [@JonScalise](https://community.inventables.com/u/JonScalise)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349/1 "2016-12-13T05:01:20Z")
A little help would be greatly appreciated. I’ve updated all my GRBL settings to the Jtech 0.9g, as well as set all my settings on PicLaser, and my etches still aren’t working out. Any suggestions? I’ve scoured the forum for any and all solutions, but nothing seems to be working out for me. Thanks in advance. ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/3/4343380b98a6229da4f709f75a34ff0755ab2c00.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![RussellArmatage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f08c70/32.png) [@RussellArmatage](https://community.inventables.com/u/RussellArmatage)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349/2 "2016-12-13T15:30:44Z")
I am by no means the guru with this but I do know that not all pictures make good laser subject. I have a picture of an old wagon that I have tried probably a dozen times to engrave with my emblaser, however i could never get a good completed job. I have however had some nice results with a pic of a friends baby. Trial and error are a large part. I would try a different picture. I can see you are close. I know that the piclaser people will chime in. Russell ---
**Author:** ![picengravertoo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/picengravertoo/32/45297_2.png) [@picengravertoo](https://community.inventables.com/u/picengravertoo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349/3 "2016-12-13T16:22:43Z")
It looks like you don’t have your focal point as small as it could be. I recommend you switch to Larry’s MultiMode grbl 1.0c too. It can be downloaded from here. [https://community.inventables.com/t/xcarve-jtech-grbl-update-11-12-2016/28943](https://community.inventables.com/t/xcarve-jtech-grbl-update-11-12-2016/28943) ---
**Author:** ![picengravertoo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/picengravertoo/32/45297_2.png) [@picengravertoo](https://community.inventables.com/u/picengravertoo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349/4 "2016-12-13T16:32:38Z")
Here are some instructions for focusing your J-Tech laser. > [@Problems with getting my laser going](https://community.inventables.com/t/problems-with-getting-my-laser-going/24370/67): > > Looks like you need to focus your lens better. We found that a distance of 3" from the heat sink’s face to the material is best for raster engraving photos. Make sure you have your laser safety glasses on. First go above the 3" distance so the laser goes out of focus. The laser’s beam will be a rectangular shape. Loosen the screw in the front of your heat sink and rotate the module so the longest side of the beam is parallel with the engraving angle you plan on using in PEP5. One of the 45D ang… ---
**Author:** ![RickPeterson](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/rickpeterson/32/67810_2.png) [@RickPeterson](https://community.inventables.com/u/RickPeterson)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349/5 "2016-12-15T15:24:02Z")
I fought with this same issue for months. It ended up being a focusing issue. I never could get the j tech lens to focus correctly however, with help and a link from Jeff, I purchased a new lens and it works like a dream. The rectangle beam just didn’t cut it for me. ---
**Author:** ![JonScalise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a5b964/32.png) [@JonScalise](https://community.inventables.com/u/JonScalise)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349/6 "2016-12-15T23:43:41Z")
Thanks. Glad I’m not the only one having this problem. I’ve got it running a little bit better, but feel like it could still be tweaked some. Which lens did you end up going with? ---
**Author:** ![JonScalise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a5b964/32.png) [@JonScalise](https://community.inventables.com/u/JonScalise)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 11:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349/7 "2016-12-15T23:44:13Z")
Thank you, I’ll give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![picengravertoo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/picengravertoo/32/45297_2.png) [@picengravertoo](https://community.inventables.com/u/picengravertoo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/having-a-hard-time-with-the-jtech-3-8-and-piclaser-sender/31349/8 "2016-12-16T00:03:18Z")
It’s this 3 element glass AR coated lens. I recommend ordering a spare. [http://www.ebay.com/itm/261157555202?\_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT](http://www.ebay.com/itm/261157555202?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)