Re: [BHS Public] Cheap Laser Engraver on Ebay

[somerandomkk]

I know someone who might be able to get us a good discount on one of the Epilogs. I can ask and see what kind of a price they would give us. What model(s), if any, would I want to inquire about? Goddamn, I would love to play more with laser cutters and think we should totally have a fundraiser to get one!!!

-Somer-

-------- Original message --------
From: Bryant Hadley <bryan...@gmail.com>
Date: 05/16/2013 3:45 PM (GMT-07:00)
To: boulder-hacke...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [BHS Public] Cheap Laser Engraver on Ebay

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.

On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 2:40 PM, Jim Turpin <jim.t...@gmail.com> wrote:

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

On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 2:35 PM, Andy McEvoy <mcevo...@gmail.com> wrote:

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

On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 12:52 PM, Jim Turpin <jim.t...@gmail.com> wrote:

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 :)

On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 12:30 PM, Bryant Hadley <bryan...@gmail.com> wrote:

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;)

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, Bitreaper wrote:

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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[Andy McEvoy]

I'm skeptical of the 5K-10K hour claim.

When I was looking into options for our lab it seems like I found much lower numbers for the glass tube lasers.

I remember that Epilog seemed to be the best option, but a brand new system was priced out at around 10K with an educational discount. Quote attached.

Andy McEvoy

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

(832) 439 - 6150

[Ross Hendrickson]

Epilog also sells refurbished ones with warranties but they are still pricey and they are usually their more expensive ones, so even discounted they are 15k-25k. They are really nice though.

Ross

[Somer Andom]

Yeah, the educational discount is all my friends can do, too. :)

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[Lee Miller]

If/when we do get a laser cutter, I'd like to give a laser safety workshop first thing that all members should attend... perhaps a short ~1h one after a meeting. Everyone should be aware of the real and serious risks that they could be exposed to. Also, in addition to ventilation, we should have some false walls or curtains to prevent line of sight to the laser cutter from other parts of the space. Diffuse reflections from 40W lasers can and will do irreparable damage to your eyes. IMO good safety goggles and recursive safety measures are not optional. Laser cutters are reasonably safe if you understand the potential dangers and setup fail-safes to protect yourself and others.