Jeffrey Levine
05-15-2008, 1:40 PM
I’m planning to enter the world of laser engraving/cutting and looking for advice on negotiating a fair deal when purchasing the machine. I’ve read many great postings on this forum but still had some questions (sorry if already asked and answered, I tried my best to search the archives extensively but so much to consider). I read comments from “generally not too much pricing wiggle room” to “got a 2 year extended warranty thrown in” to “I saved several thousand dollars plus got a rotary attachment, stand, and software thrown in.” I’m not necessarily looking to fight tooth & nail to save every penny I can, but just looking for a fair deal and hopefully support one of the American manufacturers that have invested in innovation and tech support.
As far as my application I’m not looking to run the thing 8 hours a day for a busy, full time engraving business so if it went down from time to time that would not have a major negative impact on me. To that end I suppose I might be a candidate to save some money with an Asian import. The shortest way I can describe what I do is I make unique musical instruments. I’m very confident I’ll have no problems using one of these machines to really help me out with cutting some of the smaller, detailed parts out of wood (and might as well burn some cool stuff onto them while I’m at it). If it came down to 5-7k for Asian versus 12-15k for American I would probably go American. However if it came down to 2-3k for Asian (and assuming there is some feedback that it seemed to eventually work well, even if initial setup was rather challenging which does not scare me) then I would have to give that some thought. Hopefully I'm not getting too off topic by brining up imports, but I'm thinking that having these options is a tool when negotiating.
Anyway, I did an Epilog demo and was very impressed with the machine and the distributor, and at this point I’m leaning to an Epilog Mini24 35w or 45w. I think I might need a little extra power for cutting applications, although speed is not a big factor for me so possibly I could go with the lesser power at a slower speed. I’m also considering the Mini18 45w because its smaller bed is not a major negative for me, but understand the “Radiance” technology on the Mini24 may be better for my cutting applications (sharper beam = a little more power).
Questions:
1) Any thoughts on what I should consider a fair deal on a Mini18 45w, Mini24 35w, or Mini24 45w (with 1 year warranty on the machine, 2 yr on bulb)? Edit: I don’t mean to ask for any exact numbers if that is a violation of the rules posted in the Announcement above, just wondering if any tips to help me know when I got to the right price.
2) I understand more power allows for greater speed in many applications. But if speed is not a factor does power play a major role in capability, especially with regard to cutting applications? In other words if I were willing to run the 35w much more slowly, or even with multiple “passes,” can it come pretty close to cutting what the 45w can?
3) It seems the Mini18 45w and the Mini24 35w might be in the same price ballpark. I’m wondering if the Mini24 35w with “Radiance” technology might be just as powerful as the Mini18 45w without? So if it came down to a choice between the 2, the Mini24 35w would be more attractive – any thoughts?
4) Are there actually Asain imports in the 2-3k range that can eventually be made to work?
Thanks a million, Jeff in Baltimore, MD
As far as my application I’m not looking to run the thing 8 hours a day for a busy, full time engraving business so if it went down from time to time that would not have a major negative impact on me. To that end I suppose I might be a candidate to save some money with an Asian import. The shortest way I can describe what I do is I make unique musical instruments. I’m very confident I’ll have no problems using one of these machines to really help me out with cutting some of the smaller, detailed parts out of wood (and might as well burn some cool stuff onto them while I’m at it). If it came down to 5-7k for Asian versus 12-15k for American I would probably go American. However if it came down to 2-3k for Asian (and assuming there is some feedback that it seemed to eventually work well, even if initial setup was rather challenging which does not scare me) then I would have to give that some thought. Hopefully I'm not getting too off topic by brining up imports, but I'm thinking that having these options is a tool when negotiating.
Anyway, I did an Epilog demo and was very impressed with the machine and the distributor, and at this point I’m leaning to an Epilog Mini24 35w or 45w. I think I might need a little extra power for cutting applications, although speed is not a big factor for me so possibly I could go with the lesser power at a slower speed. I’m also considering the Mini18 45w because its smaller bed is not a major negative for me, but understand the “Radiance” technology on the Mini24 may be better for my cutting applications (sharper beam = a little more power).
Questions:
1) Any thoughts on what I should consider a fair deal on a Mini18 45w, Mini24 35w, or Mini24 45w (with 1 year warranty on the machine, 2 yr on bulb)? Edit: I don’t mean to ask for any exact numbers if that is a violation of the rules posted in the Announcement above, just wondering if any tips to help me know when I got to the right price.
2) I understand more power allows for greater speed in many applications. But if speed is not a factor does power play a major role in capability, especially with regard to cutting applications? In other words if I were willing to run the 35w much more slowly, or even with multiple “passes,” can it come pretty close to cutting what the 45w can?
3) It seems the Mini18 45w and the Mini24 35w might be in the same price ballpark. I’m wondering if the Mini24 35w with “Radiance” technology might be just as powerful as the Mini18 45w without? So if it came down to a choice between the 2, the Mini24 35w would be more attractive – any thoughts?
4) Are there actually Asain imports in the 2-3k range that can eventually be made to work?
Thanks a million, Jeff in Baltimore, MD