Need advice on first laser cutter

[Bert Kemp]

Debby I found Carol and Ray to be very Helpful. They are always there to help if theres a problem. I spent a whole day at Rabbit Ray teaching me how to use the machine. When I upgraded from Win 7 to win 10 Carol spent over an hour on the phone with me walking me thru the setup and install. I'm sure if you go with Rabbit you won't be disappointed .

I wanted to thank everyone here for all the help I got. I found an absolute ton of great advice and info on this site. I gave the people at Rabbit a call and can't believe how nice they were. Its definitely more than I wanted to spend (I'm looking at the RL-XX-6040) but for the difference it makes a huge difference. One of my biggest problems was most of the machines I came across were just too big to fit in the house. They have one that comes apart. I was worried about the weight and how I’d get it into the house once it was here but they have a place 4 hours from me. For $400 they deliver it, take it apart, put it in the house, put it back together, set it up, and show me how to use it. They also have a showroom so I can drive down there and try out the machine myself before buying anything.
I’m still in the planning stage and have some work to do with my house before I decide on anything but that will give me more time to save up and do more research.

[Joe Adams]

For $400 they deliver it, take it apart, put it in the house, put it back together, set it up, and show me how to use it.

That sounds like money well spent!

Don't forget to plan for the exhaust. That was the big hold up in getting mine running in my home office.

[Bill George]

IF everyone new purchased from a dealer, instead of the cheapest one on eBay we would have a lot less questions on here. Ray Scott is one of the best and there are others of course.

[John Lifer]

A few more comments. Most of the chinese lasers WILL come apart into top and bottom sections. BUT, understand they WILL remain connected via all of the wiring. I moved a 1300x900mm laser into my basement several years ago. Went through a 36" doorway with millimeters to spare. Myself and my wife and daughter. And then only helped stabilize the thing while I picked up on end. Quite a workout that day. I would have gladly paid $400 to have someone do it for me.

Epilogs and Trotecs can do 3d without moving z axis. Chinese machines not without doing multiple layers. At least I haven't found a way. There is NO option for a grey scale gradient with the Chinese software. (may be more the glass tube actually)
If someone wants to prove me wrong, send me the RD file. I'd jump on a Rabbit laser without hesitation. Have heard nothing but good things.

[Rich Harman]

Epilogs and Trotecs can do 3d without moving z axis. Chinese machines not without doing multiple layers. At least I haven't found a way. There is NO option for a grey scale gradient with the Chinese software. (may be more the glass tube actually)
If someone wants to prove me wrong, send me the RD file.

I don't have an RD file but lots of Chinese machines can do 3D engraving. On the Ruida controllers it is called "Output Direct" - you set min and max power values and the software will adjust the laser power between those two based upon the value of each pixel.

[jeremy graziano]

I just acquired a Nova 35 from ThunderlaserUSA, they have a cheaper one Nova 24. So far the service has been awesome. I needed some help and response was within the hour. The machine just seems put together so well and I'm already cutting away happily. I can't speak to long term longevity yet, but so far I have zero regrets going with them.

[Julian Ashcroft]

I'm pretty sure Lightburn can also do the grey scale 3D engraving.

[rich shepard]

Have a friend that is selling his epilog mini 30 watt machine if you want a good one. Check out yjr FB market place and the epilog FB page to find
it
rich

[Larry Allred]

Hi Debby,

The first thing to consider is... what do you want to do with it? When we got ours our first need was to cut wood shapes, 1/8 to 3/8" thick, on a commercial level. We needed at least 50 watts and a 24x18" bed. Decent software and something I can maintain & repair when needed. Our Epilog Helix fit the bill nicely and led us into a lot of new projects. Way more expensive than a small starter kit.

If you want to cut thin wood and acrylic you should probably consider at least 40 watts. Find out if tubes and parts are available. Whole lot better, faster and cheaper to learn to do your own repairs than send the machine back.

I have friends who own Glowforge. They love the software and some of the features. None have run screaming to throw them in the bumpster!

You're doing the right thing... homework, asking questions. It's a good sized investment so ask away!

I’m looking to get my first laser cutter and need some advice (yep, another one of those threads).

[Bert Kemp]

Well the last we heard from Debbie was Sept 2nd. Guess she gave up or found a laser and didn't come back to tell us what she ended up doing.