New Machine

[Steven Pinho]

Hey guys, I'm new to engraving and I was looking to purchase my first machine. I wanted something reliable with good support and a good name. these are the two I'm looking at.
Does anyone have an experience with either of them? Also feel free to recommend me to something else.

Full Spectrum H Series
https://fslaser.com/Product/Hobby


BOSS LS-1416
https://www.bosslaser.com/boss-ls-14...l#.V8_4QE0rLmE

Thanks

[gary l roberts]

Welcome,
I would recommend you do a search here on machines. The topic is well covered. Chines vs Western, company purchase vs self import, pros and cons of all types and styles. Mostly, it will depend on your use and projected growth, size and power.

[Bill George]

Ditto, That question or which Chinese laser gets asked at least once a week on here. Followed by, I got this machine off eBay and ...... Do some searching.

[Bert Kemp]

Doing a search will tell you to stay away from full spectrum far far away. Thunder is OK you might also look at Rabbit Laser very good machines good support.

[Art Mann]

Is it possible that Full Spectrum may have improved their hardware and customer service since they earned the bad reputation you hear so much about? They are currently being sold by Rockler and I can't imagine they would market a machine with such poor reliability and no customer support.

[David Somers]

Art, What I am hearing from a number of Rockler Managers in our area (WA and OR) is that the machines are a headache. The users I talk with that have bought from Rockler seem to feel the same way. They may or may not work out of the box, and support has been ..... difficult?

[Bert Kemp]

Heres what you do email FSL and ask them a direct question
" how long is your 40 watt tube" I've done this and they won't tell me they give me the run around.
see what they tell you keep the email or take a screen shot of their reply.
if you want to see the emails they sent me pm me you email and I'll forward them to you

[David Somers]

Steven,

Sorry.....to answer your first post directly. Between FSL and Boss I would pick Boss without question. If you want more folks to check out, look at Rabbit Laser USA, and perhaps Automation Technologies (who I think is still a sponsor of Sawmill Creek?) Avoid anything on Ebay. If you want to check out direct from China imports you might look at Bodor, Ray Fine Technology LTD and Shenhui. (I have a Ray Fine machine in the interest of full disclosure. <grin>)

Dave

[Art Mann]

I think I will just wait until I have the money to buy a name brand. I am afraid that any company that will not advertise prices with their machinery knows there will be sticker shock and is hoping to get you convinced of their brand before telling you the price. I don't particularly like that strategy.

[Bert Kemp]

Rabbit Laser, Boss Laser and Auto tech list there prices right up front, I have heard Auto tech has had some support problems. You might also inquire if any of these companies have a demo floor model they will give you a good discount on.

I think I will just wait until I have the money to buy a name brand. I am afraid that any company that will not advertise prices with their machinery knows there will be sticker shock and is hoping to get you convinced of their brand before telling you the price. I don't particularly like that strategy.

[Paul Phillips]

Art, FWIW, non of the name brands advertise their prices either, you have to go through a local sales rep for a price quote.

[John Lifer]

I'm searching for a machine also. I ruled out FS due to the comments here and elsewhere. They are supposedly building new machine, but NOTHING on their website.
I really hadn't looked close at BOSS, but it looks like a pretty good machine. If I were to buy, with the options you probably need, it is about $5600. And I guess that is plus shipment. I'm looking at sub $4K for chinese machine from Ray Fine that is a LOT bigger. Rabbit is about the same cost as Boss, Not saying buy Chinese, I'd rather go American also..... Buy Boss if you are only looking at those two.

[Keith Downing]

I have a Boss laser (about 8 months now), I really enjoy it and I have pretty much nothing but good things to say about the company. I know many here also love rabbit. If it were me, I'd consider both. Deciding factors being: who is closer to you, who will give you a better price, and who has what you need in stock.

Good luck with your search.

[Keith Winter]

Boss has a better reputation but they have been around only a few years. FSL has a bad rep as others said. Rabbit has been stateside for a long time. There is also automation tech stateside. If you want to import, that brings up and entirely different list of vendors. Keep in mind if you import you better be handy, support can be a bit lacking. Not a reason not to import but something to be aware of.

[Andrew Holloway]

"reliable with good support and a good name" Full Spectrum doesn't tick any of those boxes, especially their hobby machines.

Looks like your budget is around $4k, but go a get a demo of some western machines if you can, wont cost you anything. Trotec, Universal and Epilog are the big 3. They are all reliable, have good support and a good name, but a price tag to match.