Finally an affordable Laser Cutter/Etcher

[RMXSeven]

I've been in the market for an affordable laser cutter for a while now. Especially after the last MOD24 event.

The options available up to this point have been pretty lacklustre, and also somewhat unsafe and not user friendly... or extremely expensive.

 

There is a new product (that I've just ordered) called Glowforge... it looks to be everything I've been looking for. This would be great for etching onto cases (anodised aluminium) as well as doing custom acrylic work, like making your own case windows, with your logo/artwork etched into them, with some wicked LED backlighting... 

Has anyone had any experience with other Laser etchers? (Including the uber expensive Epilog range) I was considered getting a cheap chinese option, but, with the pre-order sale going on at GlowForge (50% off for another 24 days), this was a no brainer for me as its about the same price as an unsupported, poor software compatible Chinese equivalent...

Also, shameless plug, if you use this code: [removed] you can get $100 off the price (and so will I lol)

First thing I'm gonna do is a "Vote 4 Turnip" acrylic window!

Edited July 19, 2016 by Glenwing
Referral links are not allowed on this forum, the one in this post has been removed.

[The Official Czex]

On 9/29/2015 at 6:35 PM, RMXSeven said:

I've been in the market for an affordable laser cutter for a while now. Especially after the last MOD24 event.

The options available up to this point have been pretty lacklustre, and also somewhat unsafe and not user friendly... or extremely expensive.

 

There is a new product (that I've just ordered) called Glowforge... it looks to be everything I've been looking for. This would be great for etching onto cases (anodised aluminium) as well as doing custom acrylic work, like making your own case windows, with your logo/artwork etched into them, with some wicked LED backlighting... 

Has anyone had any experience with other Laser etchers? (Including the uber expensive Epilog range) I was considered getting a cheap chinese option, but, with the pre-order sale going on at GlowForge (50% off for another 24 days), this was a no brainer for me as its about the same price as an unsupported, poor software compatible Chinese equivalent...

Also, shameless plug, if you use this code: [removed] you can get $100 off the price (and so will I lol)

First thing I'm gonna do is a "Vote 4 Turnip" acrylic window!

 

SWEET! Case modding will never be the same with this by my side...

[Necrodead]

Nice, saw the glowforge on youtube the other day, wish I had 2K to drop for a laser. Maybe one day.

[AddonCustoms]

The chinese copies are not that bad once you do a few upgrades.  Infact half of the "Bigger known brands" (That I know of) are just cheap chinese machines repainted, new logo and new control board and then resold.


Have to say that those machines do look nice, and a good pre order price, but I honestly wouldn't pay the full price. A chinese laser with that size bed (with a 50w laser instead of the 40w), plus upgrade to the wiring, control board, replace the cheap pump and vent fan and it would be a little more than the 50% off price, and would be able to do the same things.

Chinese lasers have been given a bad name over the last few years, but are not that bad, half of the chineses lasers now work (or you can upgrade the control board to make them work) with loads of different software such as AutoCad, only the really cheap and old lasers come and only work with the crappy moshidraw software.

BUT I would love to get one for that price, but I don't have the money or space for it.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Marcus_UK

[SteveGrabowski0]

On 9/29/2015 at 6:35 PM, RMXSeven said:

I've been in the market for an affordable laser cutter for a while now. Especially after the last MOD24 event.

The options available up to this point have been pretty lacklustre, and also somewhat unsafe and not user friendly... or extremely expensive.

 

There is a new product (that I've just ordered) called Glowforge... it looks to be everything I've been looking for. This would be great for etching onto cases (anodised aluminium) as well as doing custom acrylic work, like making your own case windows, with your logo/artwork etched into them, with some wicked LED backlighting... 

Has anyone had any experience with other Laser etchers? (Including the uber expensive Epilog range) I was considered getting a cheap chinese option, but, with the pre-order sale going on at GlowForge (50% off for another 24 days), this was a no brainer for me as its about the same price as an unsupported, poor software compatible Chinese equivalent...

Also, shameless plug, if you use this code: [removed] you can get $100 off the price (and so will I lol)

First thing I'm gonna do is a "Vote 4 Turnip" acrylic window!

 

Wow, I hope you come back with an in depth review. That thing looks unreal. But is that powerful enough to cut through a solid case panel?

[AddonCustoms]

Wow, I hope you come back with an in depth review. That thing looks unreal. But is that powerful enough to cut through a solid case panel?

 

Co2 lasers cannot cut metal, if you want to cut metal you will need a fiber laser.

 

That laser is a Co2 40w machine, so this is what it can do.

* Need to use Therma-Mark, CerMark, or something similar on the surface.

Also some materials will need multiple passes with the laser, depending on the thickness.

[RMXSeven]

Wow, I hope you come back with an in depth review. That thing looks unreal. But is that powerful enough to cut through a solid case panel?

 

For hardcore work like cutting the windows themselves, luckily my best friend has his own machine shop mill, much like the one Linus used to cheat during scrapyard wars!

EDIT: Oh and I will definitely do a review on it here.

[RMXSeven]

The chinese copies are not that bad once you do a few upgrades.  Infact half of the "Bigger known brands" (That I know of) are just cheap chinese machines repainted, new logo and new control board and then resold.

Have to say that those machines do look nice, and a good pre order price, but I honestly wouldn't pay the full price. A chinese laser with that size bed (with a 50w laser instead of the 40w), plus upgrade to the wiring, control board, replace the cheap pump and vent fan and it would be a little more than the 50% off price, and would be able to do the same things.

Chinese lasers have been given a bad name over the last few years, but are not that bad, half of the chineses lasers now work (or you can upgrade the control board to make them work) with loads of different software such as AutoCad, only the really cheap and old lasers come and only work with the crappy moshidraw software.

BUT I would love to get one for that price, but I don't have the money or space for it.

 

Fair call on the chinese front. Admittedly I've been scared off by a previous experience. The thing is, we will be using this for business use to some extent for some small anodised aluminium parts that we can't really afford to risk with... I guess this is still a risk when you think about it.

 

Actually, we were part way through designing our own laser diode system, which would allow home users to do basic mods, etch into anodised aluminium (our main requirement) and do things like cut/perforate card stock for shipping etc. This ticks all the boxes, so I bit the bullet... Shipping to Australia is insane though... $675!  US!

[Necrodead]

Please keep us updated with your glowforge, it looks like an awesome investment. If I lived in Aus I would get you to cut me stuff! haha.

[Wired360]

I also ordered a glowforge and can't wait to see what this baby can/will do! If anyone is looking for another link for $100 off here you go! [removed]

 

I'll bebuilding my personal rig later this year and using the glowforge to customize varios sections of my system (airflow and aesthetics to start)!

Edited July 19, 2016 by Glenwing
Referral links are not allowed on this forum, the one in this post has been removed.

[RMXSeven]

On ‎1‎/‎10‎/‎2015 at 4:46 AM, Necrodead said:

Please keep us updated with your glowforge, it looks like an awesome investment. If I lived in Aus I would get you to cut me stuff! haha.

For all those interested, STILL awaiting shipment. Massive delays, over a year later expected. Will post once I ACTUALLY get it!

[AddonCustoms]

4 hours ago, RMXSeven said:

For all those interested, STILL awaiting shipment. Massive delays, over a year later expected. Will post once I ACTUALLY get it!

According to a friend who met the glowforge team at an event back in May, they told him that none have shipped yet, in fact sounds like it won't ship until the end of the year. 
Glowforge is at 2:55 (should start playing from there.)

 

[im_an_wizard]

>cheap

$2400 for the basic model

 

m8 that's one nice PC build to just be able to laser etch stuff, unless if you're running a small business from it or have a lot of dough to throw around I don't know how you could justify this