Blasphemy! Another Glowforge Post!

[Chase Mueller]

Alright Y'all, please don't rake me over the coals for this, but I'm considering a GF..
Lets just assume I know what I'm doing here and burning my house down is unlikely since that seems to be a major talking point. I work with an epilog 5 days a week, and lately I've wanted to start making my own stuff with it, nothing for sale or anything, just want to make gifts for my lady and family, simple engravings on wood or anodized dog tags would likely be it. Purely for pleasure. Not gonna lie, the price is a big factor. Realistically I'm 6months to a year before I make a purchase. I just wanted to know everyone's thoughts on the machine itself, and if it really is one of those products that even someone with experience should just completely avoid. Also taking suggestions

[Gary Hair]

Have you read the bazillion post thread about GF? Doesn't that give you all the info you need?

[Chase Mueller]

Have you read the bazillion post thread about GF? Doesn't that give you all the info you need?

I have, yes. Including the ongoing one. My issue with them, however, is that most of the concerns seem to stem from the CEO being shady, or it being marketed towards people that don't know the potential dangers. Should have worded my question differently maybe. I guess in your opinion is the device itself worth it? or is there something else similar in price range and size(maybe even smaller) that I should consider?

[William Adams]

The thing that I'm not understanding is, aside from marketing and vaporware software, what does Glowforge bring to the table? Low price? The FSL Muse starts at $5,000, same as the Glowforge basic (w/ a filter)

[Chase Mueller]

The thing that I'm not understanding is, aside from marketing and vaporware software, what does Glowforge bring to the table? Low price? The FSL Muse starts at $5,000, same as the Glowforge basic (w/ a filter)

Personally, it was price, size, and ease of use if I ever wanted to show my family or something how to operate it. They also offer that booklet thing of designs and instructions which is kinda neat

[Bill George]

Personally, it was price, size, and ease of use if I ever wanted to show my family or something how to operate it. They also offer that booklet thing of designs and instructions which is kinda neat

You need to go back and do some searching here and research else where on the Glow Forge versa a standard co2 laser. Is it worth it?? Honestly? You decide, If your just wanting attention just keep posting.

[Chase Mueller]

You need to go back and do some searching here and research else where on the Glow Forge versa a standard co2 laser. Is it worth it?? Honestly? You decide, If your just wanting attention just keep posting.

I'm not sure where the whole attention thing came from, seems a bit rude. Thanks for the relative reply.

[Gary Hair]

I'm not sure where the whole attention thing came from, seems a bit rude.

I agree. There is a lot of "body part measurement" going on in the GF post, I believe this to be a preemptive strike...

[Kev Williams]

I have a slightly different take on this--

I haven't read every single post in every thread about the Glowforge. But I'm pretty sure that, at the very least, 99% of us who've put forth our opinions of them on these pages, me included-- don't own one. This is not to say the negative press isn't justified, just pointing out a simple fact.

That said, you're looking for another laser, and a GF costs about $5000-- to start...

This is my Triumph on day one, right after offloading it from the U-haul trailer I had to rent to get it home from the storage company...
trinew.jpg

-behind the thing are 4' x 8' sheets of styro-board, gives you an idea of the size--

This was as plain jane no-frills as they come: came with a non-moving solid table (which actually became a big bonus), 80 watt RECI, a 3000 water 'cooler' (not refer), a blower, air assist diaphragm pump, and some spare mirrors. I bought it simply as a test to see if I could make use of it lasering SS and anodized, among other things.

-I really don't use it all that much, yet this thing has probably paid for itself 20x over since I got it in Dec 2013.

-- and the machine, accessories, shipping, duties, storage, brokers fees-- total price to my door came to less than $5k...

Not saying you should buy a Triumph, but I AM saying, it IS one of the many, MANY other options out there, that are proven workhorses and come with much less baggage

[Chase Mueller]

I have a slightly different take on this--

I haven't read every single post in every thread about the Glowforge. But I'm pretty sure that, at the very least, 99% of us who've put forth our opinions of them on these pages, me included-- don't own one. This is not to say the negative press isn't justified, just pointing out a simple fact.

That said, you're looking for another laser, and a GF costs about $5000-- to start...

This is my Triumph on day one, right after offloading it from the U-haul trailer I had to rent to get it home from the storage company...
trinew.jpg

-behind the thing are 4' x 8' sheets of styro-board, gives you an idea of the size--

This was as plain jane no-frills as they come: came with a non-moving solid table (which actually became a big bonus), 80 watt RECI, a 3000 water 'cooler' (not refer), a blower, air assist diaphragm pump, and some spare mirrors. I bought it simply as a test to see if I could make use of it lasering SS and anodized, among other things.

-I really don't use it all that much, yet this thing has probably paid for itself 20x over since I got it in Dec 2013.

-- and the machine, accessories, shipping, duties, storage, brokers fees-- total price to my door came to less than $5k...

Not saying you should buy a Triumph, but I AM saying, it IS one of the many, MANY other options out there, that are proven workhorses and come with much less baggage

That was a well thought out reply. I believe we share some of the same opinions.
I would love a triumph, I really would, my only hangup is size. THE most appealing thing about GF was size. Pictures and videos made it seem very small. That's kind my buying point I think.
... now that I think about it, that's really the only reason I entertained GF

[Scott Shepherd]

THE most appealing thing about GF was size. Pictures and videos made it seem very small. That's kind my buying point I think.
... now that I think about it, that's really the only reason I entertained GF

Just a few more options for you in that small size range machines...

Versalaser from Universal, 12" x 16" or 12" x 24" working area (in the small sizes)
https://www.ulsinc.com/products/platforms/vls2-30

Epilog Zing, 12" x 16" or 12" x 24"
https://www.epiloglaser.com/products...ser-series.htm

Trotec Rayjet 50, 12" x 18"
http://www.rayjetlaser.com/en-US-US/...engraving.aspx

[Wojciech Szul]

Just a few more options for you in that small size range machines...
Trotec Rayjet

I was quoting this machine /thinking about very particular job/ at 2017 from official seller and answer was:
"A NEW Rayjet 30W machine including Out to Air extraction, delivery , installation and training would come to €11,995 + VAT" what makes over 18k $. Ouch.... Totally different range of prices, over 3.5 times of mentioned 5k$.
It was in Europe, so no TAX duties. Samples what they make was ugly, but probably they won't know what they should to do... I have to visit them and do my own to know what is possible.

[Lee DeRaud]

There's some kind of weird temporal vortex around Kev's house.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Gary Hair]

I have, yes. Including the ongoing one. My issue with them, however, is that most of the concerns seem to stem from the CEO being shady, or it being marketed towards people that don't know the potential dangers. Should have worded my question differently maybe. I guess in your opinion is the device itself worth it? or is there something else similar in price range and size(maybe even smaller) that I should consider?

Just my opinion (and I'm not going to argue with anyone about my statements, they are my opinion and I don't feel the need to defend them) - If you want a laser that you can use easily and show someone else how to use easily, then the way the GF is *supposed* to work might make it a good consideration. However, the reality is that you aren't going to get all of the functionality that the marketing hype would have you believe. If you want a laser that is available now and does what it is supposed to do, then buy a Trotec. If that's out of your price range then you can get a reasonable amount of functionality from a Chinese machine, you just have to know the limitations. Search here for recommendations, there are plenty of decent machines available - there is plenty of crap too so avoid ebay and amazon.

[Chase Mueller]

Just my opinion (and I'm not going to argue with anyone about my statements, they are my opinion and I don't feel the need to defend them) - If you want a laser that you can use easily and show someone else how to use easily, then the way the GF is *supposed* to work might make it a good consideration. However, the reality is that you aren't going to get all of the functionality that the marketing hype would have you believe. If you want a laser that is available now and does what it is supposed to do, then buy a Trotec. If that's out of your price range then you can get a reasonable amount of functionality from a Chinese machine, you just have to know the limitations. Search here for recommendations, there are plenty of decent machines available - there is plenty of crap too so avoid ebay and amazon.

I think I'm probably going to abandon the GF idea. Thank you for the tips, this forum has definitely shown me to play it safe and stay off ebay lol