If you're just getting started I think the Ortur is a great way to go. Learn the basics without overwhelming yourself, then once you're feeling comfortable you can branch out into some of the other tech! :P
The ink tank system appears to be much better than the cartridge system czcams.com/users/postUgkxciSwynMJ7PnUvvx11rewiu-yFBkZTl53 and a lot cheaper to run. The machine was easy to set up. A small point but I thought they'd be a USB cable included to help with the set up but there was none. I've been using it now for a few weeks and it seems like a good product and superior to my previous printers which were all troublesome HP machines.
When it comes to software, it's also worth pointing out which ones rely on online services. I know you said "web based", but not everyone quite gets what that means. Having been screwed by a company going out of business, turning my 3d printer into a brick, I will never buy tools like these that require an online service (as opposed to web-based software served up from the tool, like most routers). For the price of something like the glowforge, I'd want to ensure I could use it for as long as I decide to. Proprietary software (that they eventually stop updating) is another no-no, but at least you can work around that by keeping a frozen PC around for the life of the tool. No way to work around a service requirement, though.
Also, Glowforge seem really greedy and they try to put stuff that should be freely available into their ridiculously expensive "pro" subscription. Do you want to mirror your design? Upgrade to pro, only $50/month!
@@mattiasfagerlund glowforge is anti consumer. They are overpriced and forcing users into monthly subscriptions. Any company that pushes you into a cloud service should be avoided. There are 0 benefits and they are always overpriced. A raspberry pi could run that software so why should you pay them more than the pi EVERY MONTH. PS. these companies tend to use a bunch of open source packages cobbled together which is even more greedy since they are price gouging off of others kindness. If the at least made their own product they could argue they are recovering dev costs but no.
@@derekwright2388 I'm using an old Cricut Expression USB model with "Sure Cuts a lot" $5 software on Etsy. I can cut anything I design. Make sure you look for the correct old version that talks to your model. Not tied to cloud or cartridges.
Such a great presentation from a great presenter: Comprehensive yet concise overviews, specs and comparisons with clear, easily accessible language and delivery.
So helpful! Our Glowforge Pro died after minimal use; it’s not the laser. Ribbon and small circuit board replaced - no luck. We got it in early 2019. Hard to pay $6k and have this happen. This is a great review, and I’m glad I found your channel because we are considering a replacement, and it has been daunting.
Good info, thanks. I built my own laser cutter/engraver using a 15W (optical power) diode laser. The gantry is made using 3D printed parts and 2040 aluminum extrusions. Will need to install an air assist system to improve deep cuts. The only thing missed in this video is discussing how some sellers of diode lasers mislead buyers by specifying the power used by the diode rather than it's actual optical (cutting/engraving) power. As an example, I have another diode laser that is sold as a "15W" laser but actually puts out around 4.5 watts of cutting/engraving power. 15 watts is the amount of power it requires from a power supply.
@@pipedreamer9781 Not sure. I didn't keep track of how much I spent. The laser itself was US$260. I did 3D print all of the plastic parts myself and the engraving/cutting area is larger than the commercial offerings that I looked at. Actually, I could have made it any size I wanted since the only difference would be the length of the aluminum extrusions.
@@Waltkat I wonder why they updated the specs? Did they run out of the components to make the 15W module, or was it really only 10W all along? I emailed them on their website and they said 10W is their strongest laser
Interesting video, thanks for sharing your thoughts on lasers. I'm very surprised you picked Glowforge above all other desktop lasers. Having used both the Glowforge and others, the only benefit to Glowforge is ease of getting started. The native Glowforge software is a bit easier to use, but it is also feature poor. They also hobble the software unless you pay a monthly subscription fee. Other drawbacks include - cleaning the Glowforge is more difficult, and the laser is underpowered for the price. Most importantly, and most hidden from the customer, - their support is weak at best; they are slow to respond to issues, if they ever do; and they don't really sell key replacement parts for wear and tear, instead they want you to ship your machine back and purchase a refurbished device for all but the smallest issues. Oh, and you have to upload your designs to their cloud based service, meaning you can't print if your internet is offline and they can monitor what you print on your machine.
Full Spectrum has horrible support. I ordered a new tube and it had a bad seal and filled with coolant, which shorted out my power supply. Took almost a year to get it up and running again (Mailing parts to them and using Google Wallet to pay really) and then it died again. I gave up and went with Rabbit on my second laser and am extremely happy. When I had a problem I was able to get a replacement part in a week. (Not 3 months) We now have 7 Rabbit laser and they all work well. You can have Rabbit come and set up the laser and make sure it work too.
I custom built ours for our small business, but I also have an engineering background and several years experience with 3d printers and motion systems including modifying firmware.. It is a 7W diode that I will be upgrading to 10W soon on a approximately 5 ft x 5 ft frame (about 1400mm squared actual work space). My other half and sister in law do a lot of sewn products for people, and being able to laser cut when you need 50 of the same pattern cut at a time is a huge timesaver. It cost me around $1000 in parts to build plus a lot of time, but even a diode unit that large would be a few thousand dollars minimum. I could have dropped that price by 3d printing more parts instead of using aluminum for 99% of the machine. I recognize that is not a good option for most people though.
I've used Epilog and Trotec lasers and prefer the Trotec. They are just more... industrial for a lack of a better word. For my home shop I'm thinking of getting a 100w Omtech. Omtech looks to be a great value. I'd really recommend staying away from the devices that lock you into their software; especially if web based (wtf!). Sure they make things easier initially out of the box, but serviceability will be a hassle down the road. Better to tackle that learning curve head on and have more control over your production machines.
We have a $30k retail trotec and a similar epilog at our maker space and I would rather have my $3k 60w omtech (rebranded shenhui) laser any day, even without considering price. I have used several laser brands at various maker spaces throughout my career and so far the omtech lasers have come out far ahead. I hope this helps someone make an informed decision. Thank you for high quality, informative video.
@@brodybestluck CO2 lasers can't cut metal because the wavelength of IR light that they use is reflected by metal. A desktop fiber laser should be able to cut sheet metal a couple mm thick
@@brodybestluck depends on the metal. Industrial CO2 with O2 assist can do 25mm carbon steel, but going to N2 or air assist or switching to stainless or aluminum will drop that same machine it to 8-12mm. Brass and copper can be downright dangerous to those machines (heck the mirrors are copper, so no wonder). The power levels are so different, not sure where these hobby machines would be.
At my local Makerspace we have 3 Thunders and an Epilog. They are quite nice machines. The big thunder we have has like a 3ft × 4.5ft cutting area which seems insane, but one thing we have noticed with it is that the laser's cutting power gets weaker as you move away from the source, so you can't really utilize the full cutting area as easily. That's probably just as issue with such a large laser, so keep that in mind. Still an awesome machine and I love being able to get my hands on that pro grade stuff
This is a great video for "name brands". Don't sell the K40 short. If you don't have $2,500 for a laser cutter just get a K40, Glow forge is way over priced! Inkscape and Whisper is all the software you need(both safe free downloads) to run a K40 laser.
Everyone seems to think we all run Macs or Windows. It would be nice to specify when you speak about a product that it will run on these different OSs. I retired out of the computer industry and have never used a package like Lightburn. So intuitive and easy to use. The forum there also has a lot of great people, including the developers. RDWorks which comes with the Ruida controllers is Windows based and useless for a Linux user. Lightburn covers the main three, Linux, Windows and Mac, no monthly or yearly fee. Being a Linux user, proprietary software is not even considered. Thanks for the video. First laser was a ss laser for my little cnc machine. Got me hooked, now have one of the 50 watt (lol) China Blue machines since last mid June. Great machine.
Hi Brandon, I have to say, you are the only person that I watch when it comes to laser talk. Though I know nothing of the machines and most of what you speak of is a foreign language to me, I enjoy watching them all the same. With that being said, I am seriously in need of suggestions because I have absolutely no idea what I need to purchase, especially since I have never laid eyes on a laser/engraver in my life. Whichever one I purchase will be going inside my craft room in my house. The room is 25 ft long X 13.5 wide so space is not an issue, however, the entrance to my house is only 34” wide, so it would have to be small enough to go through the entrance. In no particular order, these are the things that I would love to learn to create… Jewelry pieces (namely earrings) from wood, leather, and acrylic. I’d like to be able to cut out the wood to assemble jewelry boxes, shadow boxes, keepsake boxes, small-medium-sized desk organizers, and similar items. I would also like to be able to learn how to make round door signs (at least 15”), 3D layered designs and other wall decorative items. I would love to be able to learn how to engrave on leather and acrylic, books, personalize journals, wallets, and a few other items. I am not new to crafting, just new to laser cutting/engraving. I would greatly appreciate all suggestions that could help me make my final decision as well as any other equipment that could help make things run smoother and of course, the more budget-friendly it is, the better.
@@tomv1295Actually, you might be right, it looks Germanic. Try googling "firebrand etymology". The "brand" part comes from the meaning: "a piece of burning or smouldering wood." It seemed fitting to me. Here in Luxembourg we have a habit of mixing French and German words (just like the English language does). Every spring we have a pagan festival called the Buergbrennen (or "village burning" festival) where we burn wooden crosses or castles. This is translated into the French "fête des brandons". Try googling it and you will see in the images tab what I mean.
@@tomv1295 Mr Larousse est d'accord avec moi... brandon nom masculin (francique *brant, tison) 1. Espèce de torche, faite avec de la paille tortillée. 2. Débris enflammé de matière quelconque. 3. Artifice incendiaire spécial, capable de brûler même au contact de l'eau, et employé autrefois dans la marine.
@@ecoworrier Brandon isn't a used French word anymore, if you look it up, the point 4 says it is "Désuet" / "Vieilli" (which literally means obsolete). Although I am Québécois, I am pretty sure it isn't a word even used in Europe either. At best, I would say it may be an "adaptation" just like we have "chevals" and "chevaux" now, while for years "chevals" was denied a French word and was classified purely as slang.
Co2 lasers are even used in plastic surgery to resurface the face, yes they laser the face which regenerates collagen so your skin looks younger, it’s crazy some brilliant person thought of using it on skin.
I received my first laser a few days ago, the NEJE Master 2s plus. It seems like a solid machine for the money, but still a steep learning curve. So far I rigged up my own pen engraving jig (video coming soon) and had a few successful burns... and a few more not so successful, what I call lessons. You pack a lot of excellent info here. I'll have to watch a couple more times. :)
Nice video, but your description of co2 vs fiber is completely wrong. You described a galvo vs xy laser. Both co2 and fiber support galvo and xy, depending on its use case.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this video! I the noobiest noob and I want to begin a creative career using one of these machines. I appreciate the time you took to build your spreadsheet as that was a bullet point on my to-do list. I'd welcome any advice from you and all other makers regarding anything laser and business. (I'm an apartment dweller and would be venting my machine out a window.)
The Ortur Laser Master 2 (both "regular" and Pro) have cases available. 12V Fan incl psu, Vent and flexible exhaust pipe included. Cheapest option I could find that is apartment compatible.
i been looking at laser/engraving machines , for a entry level. but still something that's decent for around $500.00 that can make custom rubber stamps for crafting. i would be very thankful for any information that you can give me. keep up on the great videos.
You can engrave stamp rubber with basically any of the cheap diode laser, but even with the higher powered ones (5 - 7.5W) it will take many, many passes. But if you're ok with e.g. a 50x30mm stamp taking 6-8 hours, get something like the Ortur or NEJE mini with a 20 or 30 W laser (that's electrical power, laser power for those is about 5W). And get Lightburn, its stamp features are rudimentary, but still better than the "none" the included software has.
Your videos are the best. Thanks for all your time and effort on them. Question: what parts of a laser (let’s say a diode tier) will need to be replaced on an ongoing basis?
Good and informative review. Thank you! Just one question.. With CO2-lasers the air assist near or on the nossle is for clearing the smoke and fumes, so the beam is unobstructed for a sharper, better result and the focusing lens gets less wear due to particles sticking to it and burning in. In the video you mention air assist, or lack thereof, on diode lasers, but as a lacking safety feature for putting out fires.. Is the use of air assis that different in the two types? In my experience the air assist can promote the opposite, as it fans any fire, adding more oxygen.
Hi, I am new to laser cutting. I wanted to get your opinion on which model is best for cutting through 6mm plywood on one pass. Have in mind that the production speed is essential. Also workspace must be big enough for more production.
Hi I wanted to ask I want to cut acrylic mostly just round the edges of a acrylic sheet and some rectangle cutouts which one of those would do the 17-7/8 in. x 12-7/8 in. x 6-1/8
You know, when talking about ”Pro” level cutting, we've had good luck with getting used machines through Mitsubishi. 5'x10' cut area, and 4kw will cut up to 1" carbon steel (O2 assist).
Hmm. I'm thinking of building a larger format laser engraver/cutter but don't need industrial quality for $10k plus. I'll start with a cheap Diode laser source until I get everything dialed in but build it with the intention of upgrading to a CO2 source. should be fun.
Great video. Thanks for posting it. This might be a silly question, but why is that diode laser don’t have enclosures like the other kinds? Do they not need ventilation too? Thanks again.
Wish I could say I'm a fan of Full Spectrum. Bought a Muse Titan clearly no QA process at Full Spectrum prior to shipping....gantry was even missing several screws and customer service after the sale....good luck! Such a shame for the price they charge right now it's a very expensive and very large paper weight.
I want a laser capable of cutting a paint film off a copper PCB with really high resolution, cutting lines of 0.005" (5 thou) wide for making PCBs. Note the laser cuts the film off so it can be etched in the usual way. What's the best choice. I have an Atomstak 50 watt model and it is useless as the beam width is 0.015" in one plane and 0.025 in the other.
What can I use to profile hockey skates' blades. cut (profile) the blade to a specific radius contour. thickness is about 2.8 mm and carbon steel type of metal. Thanks
I need a Lazer for back glass removal on iphones, they appear to be fiber trype lazers but could any others work? needs to melt glue through a glass back on a phone.
Nice and somehow funny, I am just installing pro, industrial CO2 laser with working area about 11' by 5' (3.5m by 1.5m) with 20kW high voltage power supply. (overall consumption of that machine is around 3phase /400V/ 150Amps). But, thank for nice compact informative video.
Very informative - I got an Elks maker laser engraver years ago and purchased 3rd party software. I soon realized that I could only burn so much wood or leather and made the switch to 3D printing
Hi! Thank you for all these info! But at the end I’m not sure what is the best for me. I need to cut small 2mm Bakelite pieces and also 0.5 mm metal sheets. Can you recommend the best cost/features model, please?
Thank you for all of the great information! This video helped me out quite a bit. Please review the Ortur 3! I’m not purchasing it until you review it…just kidding, but it sure would be nice to get your opinion. Thanks again for making these videos!
I want to by a 15w laser cutter for cutting 2mm paper. Do you mean sir it,s enough power to cut ✂️. And the machine should cut 1000 paper per hour. Can I achieve this number per hour. It will be nice sir if you answer me. Thank you 😊
Can you recommend a desktop style laser cutter for 6-8 mil mylar? They will be used as stencils for spray painting. I'm not concerned about speed. A little concerned about the cut edges being melted and bumpy though. Any ideas would be great.
Loved the review Brandon… what do you recommend as a best desktop Engraver / cutter for Scale Model … it would include cutting plastic sheets (Acrylic/ Styrene) and vinyl stickers/ masking?
I am thinking to make customized name necklace and also engraving initial on the pendants at home. So desktop mini machines are more practical. Could you let me know so I need 2 machines? Is there a desktop machine do it all?
I am new to lasers and would like to purchase one to cut thin wood to build structures for my hobby. I was looking at the Ortur, but it seems that the diode lasers are more for engraving, will they cut? I am wondering if I need to save and buy a CO2 laser if I want to do cutting. It seems like the Glowforge and it's counterparts are overkill for my modest needs....any suggestions?
Which laser is your top pick for 2021?
If you're just getting started I think the Ortur is a great way to go. Learn the basics without overwhelming yourself, then once you're feeling comfortable you can branch out into some of the other tech! :P
Bought a refurbished 50w omtech for 1500. The only regret I have was that my credit card didn't like it
Anything with an open universe, I don't trust closed environments any more. So outur for diode and omtech for co2 for me
Ortur!! This is me first time trying a laser machine, I just love it so much! I made so many great crafts.
Awesome what are you making
The ink tank system appears to be much better than the cartridge system czcams.com/users/postUgkxciSwynMJ7PnUvvx11rewiu-yFBkZTl53 and a lot cheaper to run. The machine was easy to set up. A small point but I thought they'd be a USB cable included to help with the set up but there was none. I've been using it now for a few weeks and it seems like a good product and superior to my previous printers which were all troublesome HP machines.
When it comes to software, it's also worth pointing out which ones rely on online services. I know you said "web based", but not everyone quite gets what that means. Having been screwed by a company going out of business, turning my 3d printer into a brick, I will never buy tools like these that require an online service (as opposed to web-based software served up from the tool, like most routers). For the price of something like the glowforge, I'd want to ensure I could use it for as long as I decide to.
Proprietary software (that they eventually stop updating) is another no-no, but at least you can work around that by keeping a frozen PC around for the life of the tool. No way to work around a service requirement, though.
Good point
I had this with a cricut mini, they killed off the universe it used and tough luck to anyone who had one
Also, Glowforge seem really greedy and they try to put stuff that should be freely available into their ridiculously expensive "pro" subscription. Do you want to mirror your design? Upgrade to pro, only $50/month!
@@mattiasfagerlund glowforge is anti consumer. They are overpriced and forcing users into monthly subscriptions. Any company that pushes you into a cloud service should be avoided. There are 0 benefits and they are always overpriced. A raspberry pi could run that software so why should you pay them more than the pi EVERY MONTH. PS. these companies tend to use a bunch of open source packages cobbled together which is even more greedy since they are price gouging off of others kindness. If the at least made their own product they could argue they are recovering dev costs but no.
@@derekwright2388 I'm using an old Cricut Expression USB model with "Sure Cuts a lot" $5 software on Etsy. I can cut anything I design. Make sure you look for the correct old version that talks to your model. Not tied to cloud or cartridges.
Such a great presentation from a great presenter: Comprehensive yet concise overviews, specs and comparisons with clear, easily accessible language and delivery.
So helpful! Our Glowforge Pro died after minimal use; it’s not the laser. Ribbon and small circuit board replaced - no luck. We got it in early 2019. Hard to pay $6k and have this happen. This is a great review, and I’m glad I found your channel because we are considering a replacement, and it has been daunting.
Good info, thanks. I built my own laser cutter/engraver using a 15W (optical power) diode laser. The gantry is made using 3D printed parts and 2040 aluminum extrusions. Will need to install an air assist system to improve deep cuts. The only thing missed in this video is discussing how some sellers of diode lasers mislead buyers by specifying the power used by the diode rather than it's actual optical (cutting/engraving) power. As an example, I have another diode laser that is sold as a "15W" laser but actually puts out around 4.5 watts of cutting/engraving power. 15 watts is the amount of power it requires from a power supply.
How much was your build compared to an equivalent pre built purchase?
Which 15 watt module did you use?
@@thebucketmouse I used an NEJE A40640. They've updated their specs and now rate the laser at 10W optical power.
@@pipedreamer9781 Not sure. I didn't keep track of how much I spent. The laser itself was US$260. I did 3D print all of the plastic parts myself and the engraving/cutting area is larger than the commercial offerings that I looked at. Actually, I could have made it any size I wanted since the only difference would be the length of the aluminum extrusions.
@@Waltkat I wonder why they updated the specs? Did they run out of the components to make the 15W module, or was it really only 10W all along? I emailed them on their website and they said 10W is their strongest laser
Wonderful video for newbies like myself who are looking to dip their toe into laser cutting.
Interesting video, thanks for sharing your thoughts on lasers. I'm very surprised you picked Glowforge above all other desktop lasers.
Having used both the Glowforge and others, the only benefit to Glowforge is ease of getting started. The native Glowforge software is a bit easier to use, but it is also feature poor. They also hobble the software unless you pay a monthly subscription fee.
Other drawbacks include - cleaning the Glowforge is more difficult, and the laser is underpowered for the price. Most importantly, and most hidden from the customer, - their support is weak at best; they are slow to respond to issues, if they ever do; and they don't really sell key replacement parts for wear and tear, instead they want you to ship your machine back and purchase a refurbished device for all but the smallest issues.
Oh, and you have to upload your designs to their cloud based service, meaning you can't print if your internet is offline and they can monitor what you print on your machine.
Another amazing episode! You know your stuff Brandon, thanks for sharing. You're a rockstar dude!
Ha, maybe more of the general stuff but not all the crazy experiments you do!
Lets Go Brandon!!😂😂😂
I've never seen an individual so passionate about lasers. I was helpless to subscribe.
Amazing breakdown of the categories and thanks for including the most important specs, price, functionality and putting them in categories.
Full Spectrum has horrible support. I ordered a new tube and it had a bad seal and filled with coolant, which shorted out my power supply. Took almost a year to get it up and running again (Mailing parts to them and using Google Wallet to pay really) and then it died again. I gave up and went with Rabbit on my second laser and am extremely happy. When I had a problem I was able to get a replacement part in a week. (Not 3 months) We now have 7 Rabbit laser and they all work well. You can have Rabbit come and set up the laser and make sure it work too.
I am a cnc laser machine setter and this video is very informative well done 👍👍
The video is a great reference. Some aspects of the presentation are absolutely professional.
I custom built ours for our small business, but I also have an engineering background and several years experience with 3d printers and motion systems including modifying firmware.. It is a 7W diode that I will be upgrading to 10W soon on a approximately 5 ft x 5 ft frame (about 1400mm squared actual work space). My other half and sister in law do a lot of sewn products for people, and being able to laser cut when you need 50 of the same pattern cut at a time is a huge timesaver. It cost me around $1000 in parts to build plus a lot of time, but even a diode unit that large would be a few thousand dollars minimum. I could have dropped that price by 3d printing more parts instead of using aluminum for 99% of the machine.
I recognize that is not a good option for most people though.
I've used Epilog and Trotec lasers and prefer the Trotec. They are just more... industrial for a lack of a better word. For my home shop I'm thinking of getting a 100w Omtech. Omtech looks to be a great value.
I'd really recommend staying away from the devices that lock you into their software; especially if web based (wtf!). Sure they make things easier initially out of the box, but serviceability will be a hassle down the road. Better to tackle that learning curve head on and have more control over your production machines.
100% this. Sealed gantry alone makes for a far longer lasting machine, and the software is significantly better.
We have a $30k retail trotec and a similar epilog at our maker space and I would rather have my $3k 60w omtech (rebranded shenhui) laser any day, even without considering price. I have used several laser brands at various maker spaces throughout my career and so far the omtech lasers have come out far ahead. I hope this helps someone make an informed decision. Thank you for high quality, informative video.
Hello what would you recommend for cutting 2-3mm metal with laser? Can a 60w omitech tech do that?
@@brodybestluck CO2 lasers can't cut metal because the wavelength of IR light that they use is reflected by metal. A desktop fiber laser should be able to cut sheet metal a couple mm thick
@@brodybestluck depends on the metal. Industrial CO2 with O2 assist can do 25mm carbon steel, but going to N2 or air assist or switching to stainless or aluminum will drop that same machine it to 8-12mm. Brass and copper can be downright dangerous to those machines (heck the mirrors are copper, so no wonder). The power levels are so different, not sure where these hobby machines would be.
At my local Makerspace we have 3 Thunders and an Epilog. They are quite nice machines. The big thunder we have has like a 3ft × 4.5ft cutting area which seems insane, but one thing we have noticed with it is that the laser's cutting power gets weaker as you move away from the source, so you can't really utilize the full cutting area as easily. That's probably just as issue with such a large laser, so keep that in mind. Still an awesome machine and I love being able to get my hands on that pro grade stuff
probably needs mirror alignment and/or squaring the x/y axis.
This is a great video for "name brands". Don't sell the K40 short. If you don't have $2,500 for a laser cutter just get a K40, Glow forge is way over priced! Inkscape and Whisper is all the software you need(both safe free downloads) to run a K40 laser.
Everyone seems to think we all run Macs or Windows. It would be nice to specify when you speak about a product that it will run on these different OSs. I retired out of the computer industry and have never used a package like Lightburn. So intuitive and easy to use. The forum there also has a lot of great people, including the developers. RDWorks which comes with the Ruida controllers is Windows based and useless for a Linux user. Lightburn covers the main three, Linux, Windows and Mac, no monthly or yearly fee. Being a Linux user, proprietary software is not even considered. Thanks for the video. First laser was a ss laser for my little cnc machine. Got me hooked, now have one of the 50 watt (lol) China Blue machines since last mid June. Great machine.
Hi Brandon, I have to say, you are the only person that I watch when it comes to laser talk. Though I know nothing of the machines and most of what you speak of is a foreign language to me, I enjoy watching them all the same. With that being said, I am seriously in need of suggestions because I have absolutely no idea what I need to purchase, especially since I have never laid eyes on a laser/engraver in my life.
Whichever one I purchase will be going inside my craft room in my house. The room is 25 ft long X 13.5 wide so space is not an issue, however, the entrance to my house is only 34” wide, so it would have to be small enough to go through the entrance.
In no particular order, these are the things that I would love to learn to create… Jewelry pieces (namely earrings) from wood, leather, and acrylic. I’d like to be able to cut out the wood to assemble jewelry boxes, shadow boxes, keepsake boxes, small-medium-sized desk organizers, and similar items. I would also like to be able to learn how to make round door signs (at least 15”), 3D layered designs and other wall decorative items.
I would love to be able to learn how to engrave on leather and acrylic, books, personalize journals, wallets, and a few other items. I am not new to crafting, just new to laser cutting/engraving.
I would greatly appreciate all suggestions that could help me make my final decision as well as any other equipment that could help make things run smoother and of course, the more budget-friendly it is, the better.
I love the fact that Brandon means burning stuff in French. As in Firebrand or branding cattle. Cool association...😎
I had no clue!
Huuum nope not even close to a french word
@@tomv1295Actually, you might be right, it looks Germanic. Try googling "firebrand etymology". The "brand" part comes from the meaning: "a piece of burning or smouldering wood." It seemed fitting to me.
Here in Luxembourg we have a habit of mixing French and German words (just like the English language does). Every spring we have a pagan festival called the Buergbrennen (or "village burning" festival) where we burn wooden crosses or castles. This is translated into the French "fête des brandons". Try googling it and you will see in the images tab what I mean.
@@tomv1295 Mr Larousse est d'accord avec moi...
brandon
nom masculin
(francique *brant, tison)
1. Espèce de torche, faite avec de la paille tortillée.
2. Débris enflammé de matière quelconque.
3. Artifice incendiaire spécial, capable de brûler même au contact de l'eau, et employé autrefois dans la marine.
@@ecoworrier Brandon isn't a used French word anymore, if you look it up, the point 4 says it is "Désuet" / "Vieilli" (which literally means obsolete). Although I am Québécois, I am pretty sure it isn't a word even used in Europe either. At best, I would say it may be an "adaptation" just like we have "chevals" and "chevaux" now, while for years "chevals" was denied a French word and was classified purely as slang.
Hey Brother, Great video. Appreciate the time you take to make these videos. Incredibly helpful!
So much info, great video. Thank you for taking the time to create this amazing summary.
Co2 lasers are even used in plastic surgery to resurface the face, yes they laser the face which regenerates collagen so your skin looks younger, it’s crazy some brilliant person thought of using it on skin.
I received my first laser a few days ago, the NEJE Master 2s plus. It seems like a solid machine for the money, but still a steep learning curve. So far I rigged up my own pen engraving jig (video coming soon) and had a few successful burns... and a few more not so successful, what I call lessons. You pack a lot of excellent info here. I'll have to watch a couple more times. :)
Nice video, but your description of co2 vs fiber is completely wrong. You described a galvo vs xy laser. Both co2 and fiber support galvo and xy, depending on its use case.
True, I didn’t want to get into galvo vs gantry to add more confusion vs a general overview. But that will be a good point to call out in the future
Great introduction to laser brands and systems.
First time viewer and immediately subscribed. I learned a lot - thank you 👍😎👍
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this video! I the noobiest noob and I want to begin a creative career using one of these machines. I appreciate the time you took to build your spreadsheet as that was a bullet point on my to-do list.
I'd welcome any advice from you and all other makers regarding anything laser and business. (I'm an apartment dweller and would be venting my machine out a window.)
Glad it helps! If your starting out I would go with a budget diode laser and work your way up with what you need from there.
The Ortur Laser Master 2 (both "regular" and Pro) have cases available. 12V Fan incl psu, Vent and flexible exhaust pipe included.
Cheapest option I could find that is apartment compatible.
Thank you for your video and your research on several of the lasers
Comprehensive. Great video. Answered a lot of questions.
GREAT REVIEW! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE!
Very cool. Thanks for a great introductory video. It's appreciated.
Brilliant episode, many thanks for this invaluable information.
Great video. Gave me all the information I needed to start my research on what I want or what I need for what I want to do. haha
0:25 [pauses video to look at the "parts" pictured, top-left] ...... That's a Settlers of Catan board! :D
i been looking at laser/engraving machines , for a entry level. but still something that's decent for around $500.00 that can make custom rubber stamps for crafting. i would be very thankful for any information that you can give me. keep up on the great videos.
You can engrave stamp rubber with basically any of the cheap diode laser, but even with the higher powered ones (5 - 7.5W) it will take many, many passes. But if you're ok with e.g. a 50x30mm stamp taking 6-8 hours, get something like the Ortur or NEJE mini with a 20 or 30 W laser (that's electrical power, laser power for those is about 5W). And get Lightburn, its stamp features are rudimentary, but still better than the "none" the included software has.
Very helpful video
I appreciate all your efforts
Thank you very much
I have a K40 and I am very happy with it.
WOW this is so helpful!! Thank you so much
Hi, any desktop laser cutters to cut up to 8mm acrylic plexiglass sheets? can you please guide me.
Is there a budget laser that's best for polymer and plastics. Like magazines for guns and grips for guns
Can a laser engraver cut paper? I looking for a cheap one that can cut A3 paper for stencils
Fantastic video! Great breakdown of the top performers. Im looking to add to the arsenal and you got me thinking about a fiber laser haha. Nice work!
Lasers are so awesome I want to learn to anodize titanium with them 🤟
Your videos are the best. Thanks for all your time and effort on them.
Question: what parts of a laser (let’s say a diode tier) will need to be replaced on an ongoing basis?
Good and informative review. Thank you! Just one question.. With CO2-lasers the air assist near or on the nossle is for clearing the smoke and fumes, so the beam is unobstructed for a sharper, better result and the focusing lens gets less wear due to particles sticking to it and burning in. In the video you mention air assist, or lack thereof, on diode lasers, but as a lacking safety feature for putting out fires.. Is the use of air assis that different in the two types? In my experience the air assist can promote the opposite, as it fans any fire, adding more oxygen.
Lightburn is really good. Well worth the not much money.
Did the unit at 9:20 chuck a screw on the workpiece? What is that?
Tube life. Service & support. Reliability. Minimum spot size. Tube switching speed.
Amazing and informative video! Thanks!
This video explained a lot thank you!
Hi, I am new to laser cutting. I wanted to get your opinion on which model is best for cutting through 6mm plywood on one pass. Have in mind that the production speed is essential. Also workspace must be big enough for more production.
Hi I wanted to ask I want to cut acrylic mostly just round the edges of a acrylic sheet and some rectangle cutouts which one of those would do the 17-7/8 in. x 12-7/8 in. x 6-1/8
Thanks for the info, really looking into getting a laser cutter
Great detailed video, learned a bunch!
You know, when talking about ”Pro” level cutting, we've had good luck with getting used machines through Mitsubishi. 5'x10' cut area, and 4kw will cut up to 1" carbon steel (O2 assist).
Can we be friends? :)
Well, we are about to do some hiring. And employees can get free shop time after hours for small/personal projects, if you're into that kind of thing.
Love Mancy? 😂 Oh never mind.. that was on the laser engraver ad that come on before this video.
Hmm.
I'm thinking of building a larger format laser engraver/cutter but don't need industrial quality for $10k plus.
I'll start with a cheap Diode laser source until I get everything dialed in but build it with the intention of upgrading to a CO2 source.
should be fun.
Great video. Thanks for posting it. This might be a silly question, but why is that diode laser don’t have enclosures like the other kinds? Do they not need ventilation too? Thanks again.
Wish I could say I'm a fan of Full Spectrum. Bought a Muse Titan clearly no QA process at Full Spectrum prior to shipping....gantry was even missing several screws and customer service after the sale....good luck! Such a shame for the price they charge right now it's a very expensive and very large paper weight.
I want a laser capable of cutting a paint film off a copper PCB with really high resolution, cutting lines of 0.005" (5 thou) wide for making PCBs. Note the laser cuts the film off so it can be etched in the usual way. What's the best choice. I have an Atomstak 50 watt model and it is useless as the beam width is 0.015" in one plane and 0.025 in the other.
What can I use to profile hockey skates' blades. cut (profile) the blade to a specific radius contour. thickness is about 2.8 mm and carbon steel type of metal. Thanks
Can you use a co2 laser on plastic or only wood?
For a starter to make cutting boards, cake toppers, tumblers, what would you recommend? Which budget friendly? Thxs
I need a Lazer for back glass removal on iphones, they appear to be fiber trype lazers but could any others work? needs to melt glue through a glass back on a phone.
Great video as always. Quick question.... What is the least expensive model that will actually etch metal?
Great video... thanks for some great information. LOL at 9:18 your laser is loosing a screw.....
Wow! What a video... most excellent, at least for my purposes. I saved, liked, and subscribed. Thanks.
Nice and somehow funny, I am just installing pro, industrial CO2 laser with working area about 11' by 5' (3.5m by 1.5m) with 20kW high voltage power supply. (overall consumption of that machine is around 3phase /400V/ 150Amps).
But, thank for nice compact informative video.
Very informative - I got an Elks maker laser engraver years ago and purchased 3rd party software. I soon realized that I could only burn so much wood or leather and made the switch to 3D printing
Thank You , Excellent Video !
I have a very important question. I can see that you love Star Wars, but is there also a special place in your heart for Star Trek?
Hi! Thank you for all these info! But at the end I’m not sure what is the best for me. I need to cut small 2mm Bakelite pieces and also 0.5 mm metal sheets. Can you recommend the best cost/features model, please?
Thank you for all of the great information! This video helped me out quite a bit. Please review the Ortur 3! I’m not purchasing it until you review it…just kidding, but it sure would be nice to get your opinion. Thanks again for making these videos!
What’s the best one to cut brushed metal and plexiglass. Specifically profiles. Thanks!
HI. One thing I couldn't find anywhere...Can a diode laser machine cut a regular paper? or I need special CO2 laser?
Which diode laser would you recommend for cutting .5mm poster board? I'm trying to cut stencils out of it.
Hi. What would be the beginners machine for cutting and engraving on wood up to 12mm thick
I want to by a 15w laser cutter for cutting 2mm paper. Do you mean sir it,s enough power to cut ✂️. And the machine should cut 1000 paper per hour. Can I achieve this number per hour. It will be nice sir if you answer me. Thank you 😊
Thanks for this! A GREAT laser primer!!! (New subscriber!)
Hi, thanks for great video, WHat do you suggest for education proposes? Using plywood 3mm thickness both cutting and graving.
Hi and thanks for this outstanding video! Which of this lasers is capable to cut the metal ?
I would like to know if there is a machine that cuts through silver and gold plates.
If I am trying to cut deep foam for tools/gear storage. Would you suggest a laser or a cutting machine?
I’m debating between an xtool s1 or omtech polar as a first laser to start a small business, which would you recommend ? Thank You
Thanx for the great video, wondering if you have any comments on the Monport Lasers?
Can you recommend a desktop style laser cutter for 6-8 mil mylar? They will be used as stencils for spray painting. I'm not concerned
about speed. A little concerned about the cut edges being melted and bumpy though. Any ideas would be great.
Loved the review Brandon… what do you recommend as a best desktop Engraver / cutter for Scale Model … it would include cutting plastic sheets (Acrylic/ Styrene) and vinyl stickers/ masking?
I am thinking to make customized name necklace and also engraving initial on the pendants at home. So desktop mini machines are more practical. Could you let me know so I need 2 machines? Is there a desktop machine do it all?
I'm interested in using one for back glass removal on iphones. Lazer- pecker is another one I'd like to try:) thx for the video 👍
What's the cheapest option to cut 1/8 acrylic sheets? Does it have to be a co2
I am new to lasers and would like to purchase one to cut thin wood to build structures for my hobby. I was looking at the Ortur, but it seems that the diode lasers are more for engraving, will they cut? I am wondering if I need to save and buy a CO2 laser if I want to do cutting. It seems like the Glowforge and it's counterparts are overkill for my modest needs....any suggestions?
I love U 4 this video....I just knew 8 wanted a laser q your help I'm sooooooooo much closer 2 a choice!
What type of laser will cut Polyurethane Foam the type of foam that comes in Pelican cases? this foam will be up to 1 inch think.
Hi, if I want to personalized wood spoons. Which one is better for a home business?
Which laser would be able to cut stainless steel up to 2mm thick ?
If i have a 10-25000 usd budget could you name the best one for me? Idk much about these yet but I'm trying to find the best for my dad's company
I am trying to decide on a laser for fabric. Any suggestions? I will be cutting many pieces in duplicate. Thanks!