Glowforge release

[Gary Hair]

What a joke. this is the pre-release so this doesn't work, that doesn't work, it's restricted in bed size, can't save custom parameters, blah, blah, blah. Just lost all respect for Adam. Oh, and 40 minutes to engrave that tiny little thing? seriously, how could anyone think that's ok?

[Bert Kemp]

yea 40 min holy molly and how they brag about how it will recognize what you put in and adjust and engrave accordingly . The conveniently left out the part that the camera only knows expensive glowforge only materials. and if you don't buy your materials from glowforge the machine won't have a clue as to whats in it and your on your own trying to figure out how to make it work LOL . yes what a joke.

[John Lifer]

Well, I'm glad I don't have any money tied up in this debacle. Pre release is Not what they said would be shipping. Again, it is a handful of machines.only one has posted so far.... Yeah, 2020.

[Jerome Stanek]

And it doesn't stay in the lines like a little kid coloring a coloring book picture

[Kev Williams]

I'm one of the few who've been willing to give this thing a chance, but sheesh, watching that thing run in real time was excruciating.

All the parts seem to fit nice. But for the life of me, I can't think of a single practical use I'd ever have for it--

[Ross Moshinsky]

So the camera feature that I thought would be neat, is really unimpressive. It's a glorified scanner and vector trace. You can do a better job with Inkscape (free) and a $50 scanner. Also, why the heck are they impressed by the cutting? I'd be furious if that's how it cut. It cut a double line. That's simply unacceptable. If the software was actually impressive, it would have taken that double line and converted it to a single line and cut it out properly. Not to mention, 40 minutes to do that job!?!? Oof.

I have no skin in the game, but I'd recommend anyone that bought this and has to chance to get a refund, do it. This product is not a premium product or even remotely impressive. Create good vector files, buy good, flat laser friendly materials, and bring it to your local trophy/engraving shop and ask them to cut/engrave whatever you want. I promise you're better off.

You guys are really bitter aren't you?

Yes, pre-release units are shipping now, people are already receiving them. The shipping schedule is going to be released tomorrow (Friday of this week obviously).

I feel badly that ignorant people are being taken advantage of. That machine is worth no more than $800. I can't even compare it to Harbor Freight quality because Harbor Freight tools perform relatively well. They just don't last and are lower tolerance/quality. This machine is low quality and a non-performer.

[Bill George]

Actually I have had good luck with some Harbor Freight tools and machines. At least when you get something there you know your not buying the best.

[Clark Pace]

Actually I have had good luck with some Harbor Freight tools and machines. At least when you get something there you know your not buying the best.

I love harbor freight. You just have know what to buy. If you are a hobby person then harbor freight is great. But if you are going to use the tools every day then probably not the best place to buy your tools

But in general they are great bargains for the weekend warrior/

[Nigel P. Jones]

Aaaaand there it is.

http://community.glowforge.com/t/schedule-update/3657

We let you down and we're not going to make our schedule. Depending on your order date, your Glowforge will arrive between March and August.

You deserve better. We are heartbroken to disappoint you.

[Jerome Stanek]

He never said March and August of this year just March and August

[Ross Moshinsky]

I'll say it again, I'd love to by a fly on the wall in their office. I have a distinct feeling it's more of a hang out place and less of a work environment.

The owners feel no real pressure. People in business feel pressure because they need money. These guys have more than enough of it so they don't feel the pressure.

[Jason Hilton]

Hate to say it, but I was wrong. I'm cancelling my Glowforge order. Any suggestions on alternatives? Preferably with at least a decent software experience?

[Gary Hair]

Hate to say it, but I was wrong. I'm cancelling my Glowforge order. Any suggestions on alternatives? Preferably with at least a decent software experience?

The cheapest piece of crap on ebay would at least arrive sometime in this decade so you would be way ahead of the game. Other than the ebay junk that will cost you next to nothing, or the premium product that will cost you 10's of thousands (Trotec, ULS, etc.), the rest of the Chinese machines are all about the same. You'll get better support from some and maybe slightly better components from some, but they are still Chinese made machines.

[Gary Hair]

Aaaaand there it is.

http://community.glowforge.com/t/schedule-update/3657

And one of the best parts of that update:
"The optical system in your Glowforge gets perfectly calibrated at the factory by technicians using state-of-the-art optical equipment. It’s then locked in place, and never requires adjustment.But again, we want to be thorough in our design, so we’ve developed a unique sensor that detects if your laser goes out of alignment or is blocked by an obstruction. In the unlikely event that should happen, your Glowforge will stop and let you know that it’s in need of factory repair."

There are so many things wrong with this that I can't even really begin to express how ridiculous this "feature" truly is.
Perfectly calibrated - sure, right up until UPS drops the laser off their truck
never requires adjustment - anyone who has had a laser more than about 15 minutes knows this is a huge lie.
Your Glowforge will stop - do you think that will happen at the end of a job or right in the middle of those 100 ornaments you are making for your family Christmas tree?
factory repair - and how much do you think that will cost? Shipping alone will be a good chunk, you saved your original shipping box, right?

[Bill George]

Jason, I am very impressed with my new Ray Fine fiber, and I had a GWeike also that was fine.... after I fixed a couple issues.