Thread: Cheap Laser Cutter/Engraver

Hi Guys,
I was looking for a small laser engraver that could cut some wood (5mm or so), engrave/cut acrylic, and POSSIBLY (if it is possible) engrave metal. For price/performance, I've been looking at 40w lasers. I've seen all sorts of $600 free shipping laser cutters on ebay, and expensive ones from Epilog and mid ranges from Hobbylaser, so what should I do. Note - I'm a student. I'm young. I don't have a job. I don't have a lot of money. Cost is a big issue. $1,000 is absolute max, and 600 is barely comfortable. What should I do?

I would not suggest the 40watt units for $600.00 the hardware is really bad and the software is problematic at best. I bought one and it had problems out the box broken tube the end roller had fallen off. I got a new tube and found out that the software is really a problem. You would need to replace the software and the some of the hardware. Light object has replacement kit that work well. But does cost about $500.00.
I replaced the the power supply 24 volt and the laser power supple, stepper drivers, lens holder for air assist, made a laser cooler out of a water cooler and fan on rear coil works well, and the laser controller.
Before you buy check the internet for problems with the units.
It also takes some time to get the bugs out of the system. I still have some problems mostly self generated. I cut leather and the speed and power is really slow but does do the job.
Good luck.

Hi Lucas Gelf,

If for 40w laser power ,it seems a little diffcult to cut 5mm wood , we would like to suggest a 60w laser ,if desk one ,500*300mm will be suitable and we have a storm one ,with competitive price

Any interests feel free to ask me

Best Regards
Lucy Lee
G.WEIKE LASER
[email protected]

Originally Posted by LucasGelf

Hi Guys,
I was looking for a small laser engraver that could cut some wood (5mm or so), engrave/cut acrylic, and POSSIBLY (if it is possible) engrave metal. For price/performance, I've been looking at 40w lasers. I've seen all sorts of $600 free shipping laser cutters on ebay, and expensive ones from Epilog and mid ranges from Hobbylaser, so what should I do. Note - I'm a student. I'm young. I don't have a job. I don't have a lot of money. Cost is a big issue. $1,000 is absolute max, and 600 is barely comfortable. What should I do?

With a 1000$ budget I would suggest save your money, your not gonna get a machine that will work for very long and then you have to start sinking money into it or trashing it completely. Seriously save your bucks till you can get a decent machine.

Hi, Guys

i think you need think about the working area ,power,software. the k40 machine on ebay is very bad ,both hardware and software ,waste of money.
you will spend a lot for modifing on laser head, stepper motor drivers ,dsp controller etc.

Hi,
$600 laser is laser stamps machine,and now in china,this kind of machine is almost replaced step by step as its controller is a little out of date
if your budget is not enough,then this machine also works ok,and if your wood is very soft,40w may can cut through,but not 100% sure

why do you want a laser anyway, if you think your going to make money with it, think again. a 600$ laser is only going to make you miserable and cost you money, or just end up in the trash. Honestly we all told you same thing.
I have a cheap 40 watt laser and its done nothing but cost me money, its been up graded to around 3500 dollars and still causes me problems.

60W tube is more suitable in cutting 5mm thickness wood. You have to get assistant of Thermark to engrave metal .
Anyhow,$600 does not worth a good quality laser machine .Good luck to you !

Regards,
Ms.Mary

is there anything good that costs less than $1K


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NO!!! simple as that, your going to need to spend 3500 to 4000 to get a hobby entry level laser that works and is some what dependable, and still be prepared to have some problems.

how about the basic from hobby laser USA


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seems a hobby USA laser is above USD5000

Originally Posted by LucasGelf

how about the basic from hobby laser USA


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Sorry, I was thinking of the wrong brand. This is what I meant;
40W Basic Hobby Laser

Anyone have experience?

Some very unhelpful replies here! The cheap eBay lasers will happily cut 5mm softwood (balsa, ply) and acrylic. (Nothing you could afford will make a mark on metal.)

They are cheaply made and the software is dreadful. If you have time but no money and are happy to consider improving it as a hobby, then they're great value. Screws may be missing, but the laser tube, mirrors, lens and PSU are OK. They're not a polished commercial product out of the box. Read up on them and know their weak points and you may well be happy with it. Take a look at my blog for my experience of one. 0xFRED | Fred's blog of geeky stuff

Originally Posted by EXLASer

60W tube is more suitable in cutting 5mm thickness wood. You have to get assistant of Thermark to engrave metal .
Anyhow,$600 does not worth a good quality laser machine.

60W laser is minimum to cut 5mm thickness wood as long as it is not RF laser.
$600 laser machine is a toy.

OK. Thanks for the info. I'll tell my 40w laser to stop doing it then

You guys are so stuck up! A $600 laser is not as good as the $4000 ones you're trying to sell, but it's adequate of you're happy to get your hands a bit dirty.

The guy has said he is a student with a low budget. It's an adequate budget laser if you have budget expectations. If someone asks if McDonalds is edible, they're not asking you to recommend the best restaurant in town.

I think you`d better take a cold shower. You dream too much.
So I tell you. 600$ laser machine is not a toy. It a scrap. I just tried to very polite.
And I do not sell laser machines.

Originally Posted by Fred27

OK. Thanks for the info. I'll tell my 40w laser to stop doing it then

You guys are so stuck up! A $600 laser is not as good as the $4000 ones you're trying to sell, but it's adequate of you're happy to get your hands a bit dirty.

The guy has said he is a student with a low budget. It's an adequate budget laser if you have budget expectations. If someone asks if McDonalds is edible, they're not asking you to recommend the best restaurant in town.

Sorry but these 600 dollar lasers on ebay are junk, they are made by Gweki and if you ask gweki they will tell you they are junk, you'll have to sink a 1000 right from the start just to get them to work half way decent. Yes the guys on a budget and were trying to save him money. if he buys one of these cheap machines he's just throwing $600 away.

Might be better to use a cnc router.

Originally Posted by gweikelaser

seems a hobby USA laser is above USD5000

The new Muse looks like a copy of the Glowforge. Its cheaper to use a cnc router for some of these people.