Ed Trapper III
11-12-2013, 2:18 AM
Hello members of Sawmill Creek!
This is my first post on any forum about laser engravers and I am looking to purchase one as soon as possible. There is just so much information and opposing experiences out there and I need some guidance if you guys don’t mind.
Background:
My first experience with a laser cutter/engraver was 4 years ago when I started my Junior year of college at Rowan University in NJ; Rowan’s engineering shop has an Epilog Legend 36ext (75w). Besides using it for our projects (cutting 1/8in to 1/2in acrylic, 1/16in rubber for gaskets, 1/4in to 1/2in wood, etc.), I used it as much as possible to cut and etch things out of wood for presents. Now that I’ve been out of school for 2.5 years, I don’t have access to the one at Rowan, but I have the means to own my own.
Needs:
I don’t want to spend a fortune on my first laser, because I do not know how practical this will end up being for me. I plan to use it a ton, but you never know until you get it. Below is what I plan to do with it:
I mainly want to cut/etch 1/4in wood with decent speed and good accuracy; up to 1/2in would be nice, but I think that would require a lot of power, and I don’t think I’ll have as much of a need to cut 1/2in as I will 1/4in.
I want to etch nice looking photographs
Etch glass
Cut/etch 1/4in acrylic; again, 1/2in would be nice, but is not necessary (especially for acrylic).
Cut other plastic that is <= 1/4in
Cut polyurethane that is <= 1/4in
Additionally, I would like a decent size cutting bed; around 24x36 would be nice, but I would work with smaller ones, especially for a first laser. I want a decent size cutting bed in case I start making things for a profit, which I hope will eventually come of this.
First thoughts:
Epilog lasers are way too much money than I am willing to spend just yet. If I start profiting from this hobby, I will be willing to spend more money. Two companies that I’ve been looking into are the 5th gen 40w hobby laser by Full Spectrum Lasers (http://fslaser.com/products/lasers/hobby-lasers/newhobby) and a few lasers by Redsail (primarily the x700; others found here: M500 (http://www.hflaser.com/Mini-Laser-Engraver.html), M700/M900 (http://www.hflaser.com/Laser-Engraver.html)). I’ve read good and bad things about Chinese lasers, and it seems that a lot of good stuff is to be said nowadays (i.e. 2013). One big thing is customer support, and I’ve read that Redsail’s is very good. Overall, it appears that I can get a Redsail machine for $2500-$3500 to my door (customs included), with everything required to run it (e.g. air pump, exhaust fan, chiller, etc.). Redsail, and other Chinese laser companies, make benchtop machines with smaller cutting areas (12x20) for <$1000; this might be a good option for a first laser, but I would much rather the larger beds.
Please provide any guidance that you can. I really would like to purchase a laser before I get married in October 2014, so I can make a lot of décor for the wedding :). There is a lot to consider with this purchase and I can’t afford to make a bad decision with it.
If anyone, somewhat local to 08731 or 08059 (Ocean and Camden County NJ), owns a laser and is willing to show me their machine and provide their experiences, that would be AWESOME and greatly appreciated!!
Thank you guys!
Ed
This is my first post on any forum about laser engravers and I am looking to purchase one as soon as possible. There is just so much information and opposing experiences out there and I need some guidance if you guys don’t mind.
Background:
My first experience with a laser cutter/engraver was 4 years ago when I started my Junior year of college at Rowan University in NJ; Rowan’s engineering shop has an Epilog Legend 36ext (75w). Besides using it for our projects (cutting 1/8in to 1/2in acrylic, 1/16in rubber for gaskets, 1/4in to 1/2in wood, etc.), I used it as much as possible to cut and etch things out of wood for presents. Now that I’ve been out of school for 2.5 years, I don’t have access to the one at Rowan, but I have the means to own my own.
Needs:
I don’t want to spend a fortune on my first laser, because I do not know how practical this will end up being for me. I plan to use it a ton, but you never know until you get it. Below is what I plan to do with it:
I mainly want to cut/etch 1/4in wood with decent speed and good accuracy; up to 1/2in would be nice, but I think that would require a lot of power, and I don’t think I’ll have as much of a need to cut 1/2in as I will 1/4in.
I want to etch nice looking photographs
Etch glass
Cut/etch 1/4in acrylic; again, 1/2in would be nice, but is not necessary (especially for acrylic).
Cut other plastic that is <= 1/4in
Cut polyurethane that is <= 1/4in
Additionally, I would like a decent size cutting bed; around 24x36 would be nice, but I would work with smaller ones, especially for a first laser. I want a decent size cutting bed in case I start making things for a profit, which I hope will eventually come of this.
First thoughts:
Epilog lasers are way too much money than I am willing to spend just yet. If I start profiting from this hobby, I will be willing to spend more money. Two companies that I’ve been looking into are the 5th gen 40w hobby laser by Full Spectrum Lasers (http://fslaser.com/products/lasers/hobby-lasers/newhobby) and a few lasers by Redsail (primarily the x700; others found here: M500 (http://www.hflaser.com/Mini-Laser-Engraver.html), M700/M900 (http://www.hflaser.com/Laser-Engraver.html)). I’ve read good and bad things about Chinese lasers, and it seems that a lot of good stuff is to be said nowadays (i.e. 2013). One big thing is customer support, and I’ve read that Redsail’s is very good. Overall, it appears that I can get a Redsail machine for $2500-$3500 to my door (customs included), with everything required to run it (e.g. air pump, exhaust fan, chiller, etc.). Redsail, and other Chinese laser companies, make benchtop machines with smaller cutting areas (12x20) for <$1000; this might be a good option for a first laser, but I would much rather the larger beds.
Please provide any guidance that you can. I really would like to purchase a laser before I get married in October 2014, so I can make a lot of décor for the wedding :). There is a lot to consider with this purchase and I can’t afford to make a bad decision with it.
If anyone, somewhat local to 08731 or 08059 (Ocean and Camden County NJ), owns a laser and is willing to show me their machine and provide their experiences, that would be AWESOME and greatly appreciated!!
Thank you guys!
Ed