Which Laser to buy?

[Fred Britt]

Looking at 2 laser machine options.

The first one is a Titan250 Thunderlaser (DONGGUAN) with RD works. It runs on 110V, has wheels and good tech support. Comes with standard 130 Watt Tube. Comes with 4" focus lens. Internal red laser dot through laser head. This will have to be built since they only build them when the customer wants one. Not normally sold or listed on their website.

The second is Camfive CFL-CMA10050 (Yueming CMA 1325 CBA ). 130 Watt Protube (might just be a sales thing), 220V converter, no wheels, external laser dot (attached to nozzle), and tech support a little slow from our past experience. Comes with a 3" focus lens with an optional 2". They build these machines all the time. Comes with smartcarve software but they said they could load RDworks on the machine.

I am thinking the Thunderlaser since it has a 4" focus lens since it will cut thicker stuff than the 3" lens and I can plug in anywhere plus the quick tech support. But on the other hand, they don't build these machines every day, only on special request where Yueming does. Camfive tech support scars me. Hans Laser (Yueming) said I could come directly to them if I have problems but Camfive will have to do the warranty. Yueming is suppose to be one of the leaders in laser machines in China.

Present we have 2 Thunderlaser machines and 1 Camfive machine.

Thoughts please

[John Lifer]

Fred, You already have three lasers.
What has been your experience with both the sellers/builders? Best positive would be my vote.

And there is no reason to only get a 3" lens if you want a 4". Get them to change out the lens. Simple and should be no extra charge for that. It is only a lens. And they all have a million. Now in my experience the external red dot is junk. (at least the one on my machine was) and I've changed mine out to dual linear. And an inline would be NICE. And should never wander.(within reason) You can change lens holders all day long and dot is still in same place. This gets my vote.
And either 110v or 220v is fine in my opinion. (which do you currently have?) you aren't rolling these around your shop are you?

My thoughts.....

[Fred Britt]

The Camfive is 220V with the converter. Had to install a switch for the blowers and a separate plug for the laser. The external laser is a pain to keep it right at times.

The 2 Thunderlasers are 110V. All the big machines have wheels and rolled into place and the wheels retracted. The small Thnderlaser (desktop) was put onto a table with a forklift. Just wondering the 4x8 machine might be difficult to locate without wheels and not sure how to move it with a forklift since the vents are at the bottom.

[Fred Britt]

New update, Camfive stated that machine cannot be loaded with RDworks. This is different from what the manufacturer stated.

On the 4" nozzle, they stated the reason they use 3" is because the 4" would be too long and hit the table. I guess that solves the choice. Smartcarve software is limited compared to RDworks.

[Kev Williams]

FWIW-- I have an 80w RECI in my Triumph. I was able to cut thru this piece of 20mm thick Cherry in one pass with my 2" lens...
ch1.jpg
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it was very slow going, but it did it--

With my 3" and 4" lenses, I couldn't past 3/4 the way thru. The fact a 2" lens made it thru simply tells me that the increased power density of the 2" lens did much more good than the extended focus distance of the longer lenses...

I recently bought a 2-1/2" lens and I love the thing. Haven't tried cutting anything with it but for my engraving purposes it's a great go-between lens. You might consider trying one (if you haven't already)

[Steve Utick]

New update, Camfive stated that machine cannot be loaded with RDworks. This is different from what the manufacturer stated.

On the 4" nozzle, they stated the reason they use 3" is because the 4" would be too long and hit the table. I guess that solves the choice. Smartcarve software is limited compared to RDworks.

Go grab a copy of Lightburn. I run it on our CamFive machine that uses SmartCarve just fine, and it's light years ahead of either SmartCarve or RDWorks. Very user friendly, active development form a US developer that listens to what people want and well worth the minimal cost.

[Darren Wilson]

Wow Kev, how slow did you have to go to accomplish this?

[Fred Britt]

We did not go with Camfive, got scared with the tech department. Went with Titan250. Thunderlaser crew is the best when you need questions answered or replacement parts. They are GREAT people to deal with. Ben and Amy are the best. They are just a text away at all times. A++++