Good low cost 2015 Laser Engraver?

[Clark Pace]

I was going to build my own Spring of 2014, had gathered a lot of the needed materials and started adding up the price of what I had yet to buy.... It was darn close to $3K. I started reading on this Forum and learning a lot. I decided to stop and either return or sell off what I already had purchased. Short answer, its cheaper to buy a decent Chinese machine or used ULS, Epilog or Trotec .

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My first china laser was a cheap ebay one. At the time around $800.00. I had to tinker a bit with it, but I am glad I got it. I did little things with it, and it worked out of the box. I could not engrave very big images due to laser memory issues, but cutting was ok. I could cut 1/8 acrylic at decent speed, 3/16" if I can the beam twice.

Now for all my success I have heard people getting their china ebay lasers and having a bad experience. So it's kind of a risk. I did a few videos. Now keep in mind this is a few years old.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf-MY2yZZxA


Good luck.

[Bill George]

Here is the problem Clark. I could build my own as I have retro fitted a milling machine with new controls and owned a couple other CNC machines. Perhaps you have also. I fixed my own Chinese laser and it ran pretty darn well. But not everyone has the know how to troubleshoot or fix problems. These new folks find the $500 machines and see people using them successfully not knowing the work they may need. So they purchase those machines and then have problems. No support, no local distributor or US Vender. So they come here looking for help. Some get a simple problem fixed and they are off and running, some never get the machine working, regardless of help.

[Bert Kemp]

Best advice is to save a little more money and get a decent machine, you'll never be happy with a cheap ebay money pit

[Glen Monaghan]

You'd be much better off getting a good, used ULS or Epilog (I'd include Trotec, but I've never seen anyone who's had one long enough to have reason to sell it off). I seem to recall someone posting a well-kept, really good condition, used Epilog TT for sale in the classified section a couple of weeks ago, asking something like $4600 for it. You could check the classified section (oh, wait, here it is: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...sale-Dayton-OH about 350 miles from you... )

[Keith Winter]

You'd be much better off getting a good, used ULS or Epilog (I'd include Trotec, but I've never seen anyone who's had one long enough to have reason to sell it off). I seem to recall someone posting a well-kept, really good condition, used Epilog TT for sale in the classified section a couple of weeks ago, asking something like $4600 for it. You could check the classified section (oh, wait, here it is: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...sale-Dayton-OH about 350 miles from you... )

LOL Glen, shameless! Seriously though Bert, Glen and the many others posting about getting a decent machine are right, best to get a decent machine vs crippling yourself from the get-go with sub-par machine. If you go used be sure to take whatever you will be working with, with you, and have the guy run it while you're there so you can make sure it will do what you want it to, and that it's in good working order.

[Jeff Body]

Nothing against this group but this isn't the forum to be asking about a cheap ebay laser.
If you're interested in doing some research I'd suggest checking out a FB group called Laser engraving and cutting. There are alot of hobby guys that tinker around with the cheaper ebay lasers in that group. (Key word TINKER)

Keep in mind EVERYTHING people have posted here is 100% correct. Ebay lasers are a PAIN to deal with. Nothing is as easy as the examples make it out to be.
With that,I currently have the higher end ebay laser close to the SH-350. Runs about $2000 It has a decent controller running RDworks software. Over all It's been a good laser. I've spend alot more money upgrading things like the exhasut and air assist but over all it's not a bad laser. It's gotten my feet wet and I'm stocking away profits to pay for a laser upgrade in the future.

[Steve Clarkson]

I can't believe that no one has recommended the Glowforge laser........

[Clark Pace]

Hi Bill,

You are right. I would not suggest a cheap china laser unless you like to tinker a bit. Mine worked right out of the box, but as I mentioned many did not have the good fortune I did. I also owned an sgh 350, and that is about the cheapest I would go if I was serious at all about making money. But if you are a tinker it's worth looking into, but beware.

[Dan Hintz]

I can't believe that no one has recommended the Glowforge laser........

The beatings will begin at 7:00, Steve...

[Keith Winter]

The beatings will begin at 7:00, Steve...

LOL! Too funny!

[Steve Clarkson]

Hehehehe.......

[Chad Keller]

Hi Guys,

I am starting my own manufacturing business and I am trying to decide between a rabbit laser 60 watt or if i should look into an epilog or trotech? The one thing that is scaring me about the rabbit is the speed? i am going to be doing a lot of mass production and cutting/engraving thin wood veneer. I was wondering if you had to discuss your thoughts on this with me?

Thank you for your time!
Chad

[Bert Kemp]

Hi Chad,
You didn't say your location and the bed size your looking at.
If your going into business your sure going to want the best you can afford. Trotec is the king of engraving speed wise and of course its the most expensive.Lately I've seen a few complaints about Trotec and that their support has been lacking lately too.Remember their based in Australia and I'm not sure what they have in the US for supplies and stuff.
Epilog is also a good machine and very pricey also. US company with good support. Machines are pretty fast.
Now the Rabbit is a co2 glass tube laser and requires a c5000 chiller or better is not as fast as the other 2 and is not know for its engraving but it gets the job done. The machine is built solid and has good support here in the USA and parts are in Ohio so you get them quick if you need them. Glass tubes are cheap and easy to replace compared to the air cooled tubes but they don't last as long either.
What some do is they start their business with a cheaper Chinese laser and then as they grow they buy the better and faster machines. Also you can send each company your considering a sample file and the material you intend to use and they will run the file and send you back the finished samples with all the info on settings and speed and how long they took to run.
I personally don't run my machine to its full potential since I use it for hobby and to make free stuff for the vets but if you want to send a file i'll run it for you and tell you how long it takes .
If theirs anything else don't hesitate to ask .

[Scott Marquez]

Hi Guys,

I am starting my own manufacturing business and I am trying to decide between a rabbit laser 60 watt or if i should look into an epilog or trotech? The one thing that is scaring me about the rabbit is the speed? i am going to be doing a lot of mass production and cutting/engraving thin wood veneer. I was wondering if you had to discuss your thoughts on this with me?

Thank you for your time!
Chad

Chad,
Welcome aboard,
You are at the right forum and if you spend a few hours reading these pages you will be empowered to make a decision based on what you believe you will be doing with your new machine, or at the very least have much more focused questions.
Scott

[David Somers]

Antonio,

Are you looking at using this for a business or fun? If for a business how about holding off on a purchase while you save your $$ for at least a decent imported Chinese machine, or a Rabbit USA or Boss above that in price. And in the meantime either farm your laser work out or rent time on a laser in a maker shop of some sort. Many mid sized towns have them now, especially if there is a college or university nearby. Their rates are pretty reasonable, especially if you join the shop as a member. A last thought....got any friends also interested in a laser for business or fun? If yes, perhaps you can share the cost of a unit with them. Obviously this could be touchy and might ruin a friendship if you aren't careful about how you do it. But that might be another way to get this going. Or perhaps a loan?

Just brainstorming

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