[Lab] cheap laser cutters

[Matthew Bells]

Kwartzlab and I think Site3 both have similar ones (http://www.kwartzlab.ca/wiki/Laser_Cutter). These are somewhat temperamental and need a fair bit of care beyond something like a Epilog would cost. But these are 1/4 the price, or less... We needed to hack the software to disable the self-destruct feature and replace the cooling unit. If it is CO2, get the tubes JIT since the gas leaks and the life is partially based on age, not runtime. If solid state, it is best to not run these about ~70% max otherwise it will decrease the life a fair bit. We have a CO2 laser.

-Matt

-----Original Message-----
From: Lab [mailto:lab-bounces at artengine.ca] On Behalf Of Aaron Ramsey
Sent: 2015.August.24 15:37
To: Tom Burns
Cc: lab at artengine.ca
Subject: Re: [Lab] cheap laser cutters

I have one.. got it a few years back for around $800 with shipping and taxes.

Software that comes with it is terrible but has an ok integration with coreldraw so you can just laser from there.

Quality is good but really needs air. The lack of an adjustable table is a pain... bought that as an add-on after. Pretty much can count on at least $300 more to add those two things and could go much higher if you want to toss the electronics and put a real controller in there.

A friend of mine received one that had been smashed all up during shipping... only got money back for the price of the unit, not shipping so had to buy a standalone laser and bend all the steel back into place to get it running.

Aaron

On Aug 24, 2015 3:17 PM, Tom Burns <tom.i.burns at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
>  Does anyone have experience with these cheap chinese laser cutters?
>
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-CO2-USB-Laser-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Engraver-Cutter-woodworking-Crafts-/121734293301
>
> Interested in your experience, what you cut, how did it go.  I had no clue these were available under $500.
>
> Thanks,
> Tom
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