Cheap Laser Engraver on Ebay

[Bitreaper]

In full understanding that I might be starting a tool flamewar, I want to know what people think of these cheap laser engraver/cutters.  I understand they're no Epilog, but will they do?  Has anyone heard of them?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-CUTTING-MACHINE-ENGRAVER-m7-/180709569590?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a13213436

[Jim Turpin]

Seems like a mixed bag:

http://www.buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=909

Most people are happy with them knowing that for the price there's going to be lots of bugs. Seems like the software to drive them is utter crap and most people start ripping out the electronics / swapping in better parts / software right away.

On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 2:01 PM, Bitreaper <bitreap...@gmail.com> wrote:

In full understanding that I might be starting a tool flamewar, I want to know what people think of these cheap laser engraver/cutters.  I understand they're no Epilog, but will they do?  Has anyone heard of them?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-CUTTING-MACHINE-ENGRAVER-m7-/180709569590?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a13213436

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[Jim Turpin]

Also the laser tube life seems to be about 1/10 of what others claim. I bet those are some cast off defect tubes. :) 

[Ross Hendrickson]

Yeah, there is work being done on an open-source board and software but it isn't ready for prime time yet. By the time you fix the cheap one you might have just bought an Fslaser.com one or built you're own from scratch.

Ross

[Bitreaper]

Wow, you're not kidding.  A few links I found later in the day seemed to come to the same conclusion: it's a mixed bag, but mostly on the "wasting your money" side.

As for the FSLasers, I think I'm in love... Just watched a few of the videos on the FSLaser deluxe hobby model.  You're right Ross, for all the trouble that those ebay models seem to bring, for $2400, these guys seem to have the answer:

http://fslaser.com/40w-deluxe-hobby-laser-engraver-and-cutter

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013 8:51:26 PM UTC-6, Ross wrote:

Yeah, there is work being done on an open-source board and software but it isn't ready for prime time yet. By the time you fix the cheap one you might have just bought an Fslaser.com one or built you're own from scratch.

Ross

On May 15, 2013 3:25 PM, "Jim Turpin" <jim.t...@gmail.com> wrote:

Also the laser tube life seems to be about 1/10 of what others claim. I bet those are some cast off defect tubes. :) 

On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 3:23 PM, Jim Turpin <jim.t...@gmail.com> wrote:

Seems like a mixed bag:

http://www.buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=909

Most people are happy with them knowing that for the price there's going to be lots of bugs. Seems like the software to drive them is utter crap and most people start ripping out the electronics / swapping in better parts / software right away.

On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 2:01 PM, Bitreaper <bitreap...@gmail.com> wrote:

In full understanding that I might be starting a tool flamewar, I want to know what people think of these cheap laser engraver/cutters.  I understand they're no Epilog, but will they do?  Has anyone heard of them?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-CO2-LASER-ENGRAVING-CUTTING-MACHINE-ENGRAVER-m7-/180709569590?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a13213436

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[Bryant Hadley]

The fslaser.com option seems like it would suite out needs pretty well and is only 1850. http://fslaser.com/products/lasers/hobby-lasers/40wbasic

Perhaps we could start a fundraiser for this one similar to the mill except we could use it immediately and not have to spend a year making mods for us to use the system;)

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Bryant Hadley

[Jim Turpin]

One thing to note is that these tubes will wear out over time and require replacement at about $400 a piece. ALSO, strict guidelines would need to be put into place about what can and what can not be cut. Certain types of plastic will ruin the optics. Other types of plastic when cut are extremely harmful. 

I've seen how the 3d printers get used and want to make sure if we spend the cash that they are treated correctly :)

[Bryant Hadley]

If treated properly, how many hours of use could we get out of this system before needing a replacement laser for 400? 

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Bryant Hadley

[Andy McEvoy]

We'd also need the appropriate venting/filtration system. Even the approved plastics give off fairly obnoxious fumes when cut.

Andy McEvoy

Doctoral Student
Correll Lab
Department of Computer Science
University of Colorado at Boulder

(832) 439 - 6150

[Jim Turpin]

I couldn't find anything about the 40 watt laser on the site but the 80watt are 10k hours before mean time failure. I'd guess the 40 watt laser are in the 5k to 10k hours spot before failure. Which is a pretty good haul when you think that the laser is only on for a few minutes during each cut.

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[Jim Turpin]

And also probably required to keep things from catching on fire!

[Bryant Hadley]

5K-10K hours of use is quite a bit, I'm sure we could get some great use out of it and possibly make something that could bring in extra income each month.

I know Paul was working on a ventilation system, I wonder if that would work for our needs with this system.