Hobby Laser cutter/engraver?

[Tin Falcon]

I have been looking and pondering at the offerings on LAser cutters.
Wondering if anyone here has one of these little chinese machines.
There are of course lots of choices at a broad range of quality and price points .
The main ones I am looking at are in the sub $ 500 range. Yea I know did not know they were available that cheap. I have seen some under $400 ship from USA free shipping . these have an analog power meter and knob power control. a little nicer option has digital controls and digital meter.

these machines are typically rated for 4o w if that is believable and a 8" x 12" print envelope. And in theory can cut 1/4 in plywood or acrylic .

I have watched several review videos. like anything else in this price range they need a good inspection prior to use, possibly minor repairs on receipt and adjustment of the mirrors .

So many cool tools so little extra time.
Tin

 

[purpleknif]

I saw those too. I'm gonna wait cuz I'm sure it won't be long till you'll be able to buy one that will cut metal.

 

[Tin Falcon]

it won't be long till you'll be able to buy one that will cut metal.

well you can but here is the rub. IIRC you need something like a 150w laser to cut metal and for mild steel O2 assist helps. and it seems like a huge price jump between a 40w laser and a 50 watt. Also the more power a laser tube puts out the longer it is and more expensive. Also you need a bigger cabinet so a bigger print envelope and more floor space. and even the nicer hobby lasers are thousands not hundreds of dollars.

Of course there are DIY plans but I expect by the time you buy all the parts it would cost way over $500.
tin

 

[Barnbikes]

At 150w you would have a hard time cutting anything thicker than shim stock (.015").

Ran a 3kw fiber laser for a couple years.

 

[Tin Falcon]

I'm sure it won't be long till you'll be able to buy one that will cut metal.

I guess we will have to wait and see. Albert einstein came up with the theory in 1917 it was not until 1940s the theories were proven and started to be put into practice. In 1967 the first industrial laser cutters were developed. And now in 2015 we are seeing low power sub $500 hobby machines. I think it will depend on the direction of the maker movement and the prosumer market. Depends on how many people want a laser cutter and are willing to spend a grand or two on one. I think we know compared to the masses ,we who want and can afford a home machine shop are few.
Tin

 

[laser-lance]

I saw those too. I'm gonna wait cuz I'm sure it won't be long till you'll be able to buy one that will cut metal.

Finally there is a reasonably-priced fiber hobby laser! I just found it the other day and pre-ordered one. Presently, the price is $11,799 for the complete system, including the computer. It is a 20-watt fiber laser with a galvo head. I saw some videos on their Instagram that shows it engraving images into anodized aluminum. Check it out! https://www.hobbylase.com

 

[10K Pete]

Twelve freeking thousand is 'reasonable'???

I'll just throw away my money and use yours!

Pete

 

[laser-lance]

Twelve freeking thousand is 'reasonable'???

I'll just throw away my money and use yours!

Pete

Relatively speaking, of course. Lasers with similar specifications, for industrial marking, start around $28,000 and go up from there. I once worked for a company that paid over $110,000 for a laser like this, with some added automation. I think I got a deal.

 

[RonGinger]

There are several 40 watt co2 laser for around $1,000. Automation Technologies has this one http://www.automationtechnologiesin...engraving/co2-laser-machine-software-training for $529.

 

[Barnbikes]

$1.75 million

3500 watt fiber laser
60"x160" sheet capacity
6 position loading tower
2 unloading stations
Nitrogen generator

 

[Tin Falcon]

Not likely to run out and buy anything now. I have access to an epilog Helix 60w at the local maker space just need to get some files prepped and find time to run them,
Tin

 

[gus]

I guess we will have to wait and see. Albert einstein came up with the theory in 1917 it was not until 1940s the theories were proven and started to be put into practice. In 1967 the first industrial laser cutters were developed. And now in 2015 we are seeing low power sub $500 hobby machines. I think it will depend on the direction of the maker movement and the prosumer market. Depends on how many people want a laser cutter and are willing to spend a grand or two on one. I think we know compared to the masses ,we who want and can afford a home machine shop are few.
Tin

True. Flat screen TV cost a bomb--------S$20,000/US$14,000 way back in the 70s----80s and today, its less than S$2,000.

 

[jschoenly]

Anybody check out the glowforge - glowforge.com Seems interesting. Nice features but probably not exactly what I'd want in a hobby machine for my needs

 

[Wizard69]

Finally there is a reasonably-priced fiber hobby laser! I just found it the other day and pre-ordered one. Presently, the price is $11,799 for the complete system, including the computer. It is a 20-watt fiber laser with a galvo head. I saw some videos on their Instagram that shows it engraving images into anodized aluminum. Check it out! https://www.hobbylase.com

I suspect that fiber lasers will be the path taken to low cost consumer models. It is just a matter of patents expiring and technology improving. The rate of innovation is impressive. I could see 150 watt models in a couple of years for a $1000. This for a model taking G-Code and scanning via XY axises. For cutting applications you would want the beam normal to the work surface.

The big problem is efficiency. This needs to improve so that more cutting power can be had on a 20 amp 120 VAC circuit.

 

[james_III]

Hobby laser, well this is mine. Led laser, power is only 0.5W witch limits possible materials, but allows cheap testing. I'm planning to upgrade more powerful laser, but this works for now. Plan is cut RC plane parts out of Debron and make some markings and stuff I did have access to waterjet so not really interested using this as cutting machine.

http://youtu.be/iT3wxyIMbgQ

http://youtu.be/u__zX_aJ834

More photos from design progress, unfortunately writing is not English.
http://www.rc-hemmot.com/keskustelu/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=444

 

[IceFyre13th]

Saw this on All-American Makers the other night..... http://www.boxzy.com/

Better description on their kick-starter page..... https://www.kickstarter.com/project...e-fablab-mill-laser-engraver-3d-p/description

Looks promising.

 

[Wizard69]

Saw this on All-American Makers the other night..... http://www.boxzy.com/

Better description on their kick-starter page..... https://www.kickstarter.com/project...e-fablab-mill-laser-engraver-3d-p/description

Looks promising.

Interesting design, they use the router mounting collar as a universal clamp for other devices. I'm not sure about the machines suitability for everything they have planned. It would be nice to see a review if this thing ever ships.