My brain is overflowing. I've read things all over and read about Chinese machines and US based companies. I'm looking to get into laser cutting/engraving. I have a CNC router (hobby grade) and have had a lot of fun with it over the years. But it's slow and doesn't do everything I want to do. I know I don't want a hobby grade machine. I plan to make things to sell. No intentions of getting rich or quitting day job. But I want to find the balance of creating things quickly and easily and being able to pay for itself in a year or less. I've got a brick and motor storefront to use. I've been furnishing a local winery that is about to open. We've been talking about some custom cutting/cheese boards, coasters, engraved glasses, engraved bottles... the list goes on. Nothing super elaborate, mostly just trinkets. It's also an opportunity for me to expose my kids to something they can help with and make a few bucks. So this isn't a scheme to start up a new business and quit the day job. It's between that and a hobby. I may or may not take custom orders. I see a lot of engraving and vector cutting, maybe photo engraving. Things I can do on my CNC but slower and less practical.
Who knows where it will go from there.
I don't have a problem spending the money for the right unit, I'm just having a hard time figuring out what that balance is. I'd prefer something that I don't have to tinker with. I just want it to work. Mostly the material will be wood. Some glass etching. Maybe some plastics. I'd like a decent size bed.
Seems like the big three are Trotec, ULS and Epilog. Seems like the Chinese lasers are popular too.
I'm open to any and all input. Good or bad.