Michele Kaiser
05-20-2013, 10:37 PM
I'm a laser newbie and I've been wanting to invest in an entry-level laser for the last year and a half. I do vector illustrations and would love to create acrylic jewelry and accessories out of them. It has also been a dream of mine, and now I'm ready to take the plunge. :)
I want to cut and engrave 3mm acrylics and might also consider cutting and engraving 3mm plywood. Since these will be mostly for jewelry/accessories, some cut and engraved parts will be very small.
I live in a place where the laser choices are very few (either GCC Laserpro or Universal). I had to pick something between these two, because of the local support.
I've done my research and also exchanged a few talks with a Sales Rep for GCC Laserpro.
I've considered something between 30 and 40 watts. I've narrowed down my choice between the Venus II and C180.
Here's the confusing part (price-wise):
Venus II (30 watts, 11.8 x 8.2 in) - $14k
C180 (30 watts, 18 x 12 in) - $16.5K
C180 (40 watts, 18 x 12 in) - $20,625
Mercury III (40 watts, 25 x 18 in) - $20k
The 40-watt C180 costs $625 more than the 40-watt Mercury III.
I love that the C180 is small and compact but if it costs more than the Mercury which has a bigger work area, it might make more sense to buy the Mercury instead. But the thing is, my work area is in a basement that is only accessible through a narrow set of U-shaped stairs. I'm worried that forcibly carrying the big laser machine down there might do some damage to it. And there will be a time when I have to move out again, hence carrying it back up again.
My plan is:
I could buy something smaller in both price and size, like the C180 30 watts.
When business is doing good and I've reached my planned milestones, I can buy something bigger and more powerful to meet more demands.
I'm also afraid the Venus work area might be too small, and only good if you do more engraving?
So here's what I need advice on:
I need a small entry-level laser for doing the things I mentioned above. I won't be cutting huge pieces, just small ones with fine details to be used as jewelry, keychains, bag tags, etc. I'll be doing more cutting than engraving. Maybe 70% cutting, 30% engraving.
Is 30-watts enough? Or would it be better to go 40-watts?
Would it make sense to buy the Mercury with a 25x18 work area or is this too big for what I have planned to do with it? Might even the Venus be enough or is it best to buy something in the middle like the C180?
Also, what accessories would you recommend I buy with the laser? I'm sure about the honeycomb table and air compressor. But do I also need an air extraction system? My workplace will be near a window by the way, so I can set something up for ventilation. :)
Looking forward to your expert advice, as well as from those who have had 1st-hand experience with these machines. :)
I want to cut and engrave 3mm acrylics and might also consider cutting and engraving 3mm plywood. Since these will be mostly for jewelry/accessories, some cut and engraved parts will be very small.
I live in a place where the laser choices are very few (either GCC Laserpro or Universal). I had to pick something between these two, because of the local support.
I've done my research and also exchanged a few talks with a Sales Rep for GCC Laserpro.
I've considered something between 30 and 40 watts. I've narrowed down my choice between the Venus II and C180.
Here's the confusing part (price-wise):
Venus II (30 watts, 11.8 x 8.2 in) - $14k
C180 (30 watts, 18 x 12 in) - $16.5K
C180 (40 watts, 18 x 12 in) - $20,625
Mercury III (40 watts, 25 x 18 in) - $20k
The 40-watt C180 costs $625 more than the 40-watt Mercury III.
I love that the C180 is small and compact but if it costs more than the Mercury which has a bigger work area, it might make more sense to buy the Mercury instead. But the thing is, my work area is in a basement that is only accessible through a narrow set of U-shaped stairs. I'm worried that forcibly carrying the big laser machine down there might do some damage to it. And there will be a time when I have to move out again, hence carrying it back up again.
My plan is:
I could buy something smaller in both price and size, like the C180 30 watts.
When business is doing good and I've reached my planned milestones, I can buy something bigger and more powerful to meet more demands.
I'm also afraid the Venus work area might be too small, and only good if you do more engraving?
So here's what I need advice on:
I need a small entry-level laser for doing the things I mentioned above. I won't be cutting huge pieces, just small ones with fine details to be used as jewelry, keychains, bag tags, etc. I'll be doing more cutting than engraving. Maybe 70% cutting, 30% engraving.
Is 30-watts enough? Or would it be better to go 40-watts?
Would it make sense to buy the Mercury with a 25x18 work area or is this too big for what I have planned to do with it? Might even the Venus be enough or is it best to buy something in the middle like the C180?
Also, what accessories would you recommend I buy with the laser? I'm sure about the honeycomb table and air compressor. But do I also need an air extraction system? My workplace will be near a window by the way, so I can set something up for ventilation. :)
Looking forward to your expert advice, as well as from those who have had 1st-hand experience with these machines. :)