Looking For Advice On Purchasing A Modestly Priced Laser Etching Machine

[Chris Besse]

Hi all, Chris in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. I’ve been turning for ten years now. I’m thinking of getting a laser etching machine but I don’t want to spend anything over $500.00 Canadian. I see a lot of machines on Amazon.ca starting around the $290.00 CDN to the skies the limit but my limit would be $500.00 CDN. I have a small, King Industries Canada lathe with the bed extension so my bowl diameters are more less restricted by the lathe.
Anyway, any helpful tips and/or advice would be very much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Chris in RD, AB, CA

 

[John K Jordan]

I'm interested in this too. I almost bought a laser engraving/cutting machine years ago when $30,000 was the price of Epilog quality. I've seen so many people with them now they've GOT to be cheaper! I'd want one that could at least cut cardboard, maybe thin wood. It would be nice to have a rotation option to etch around a spindle. I haven't kept up, don't know what's available now.

(One of the projects I worked on was with Coors ceramics - they cut shapes from fired ceramic sheets with big CO2 lasers - those things were HUGE.)

JKJ

 

[Brian Gustin]

depending on what you want it for and what size maximum for the etchings , I can personally recommend the laserpecker LP1 - It can take a bit of finagling to figure it out (it isnt intuitive) but I use mine to engrave my "badge" on finished turnings...

 

[Chris Besse]

I just want to be able to put my name and logo on the bottom of my bowls and possibly the side of the tobacco pipes I make. 'Christopher Pipes'
and the drinking mugs I turn.
Here's my website.

Christopher Pipes

Hand carved briar tobacco pipes

christopherpipes.coffeecup.com

 

[Stan Pressner]

I agree w Brian, LP1 will do everything you need. The LP2 has some advantages, but LP1 will do what you are asking

 

[Chris Besse]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the advice and comments!
Chris

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

I have a J Tech 4 watt diode laser head used for wood and plastics on my CNC's. Cost around $350 USD. But, that's just the head, the CNC moves it like a cutter is moved.

A complete system to engrave small items? $500 is not much money. Most of those wouldn't handle a bigger object like a bowl anyway.

For Amazon on relatively high tech items I try to go by the ratings. Any one star ratings make me nervous. My experience is high tech and low prices are not a good match on Amazon.

 

[Larry Copas]

I don't know how common this is but my local library has a maker space called Center For Innovation. For the price of a library card I can use there Epilog equipped with all the fancy stuff like the rotary chuck. When I get stumped the in-charge can bail me out. The down side is I have to learn Adobe Illustrator, but it's also free at the library.

I did get a chance to play with a friends Laserpecker but it costs........

 

[Richard Coers]

I have a Sculpfun 10w diode laser, and a Sculpfun 20w-40w diode laser. They are open frame machines, so if you want to engrave a bowl, you just add blocking under the legs. The legs on the 20/40 thread on and they have different length legs. The cutting envelope is 400mm square. To get different wattage diode lasers, they just add more diodes in the head and direct the beams through a lens. The 10w has a beam diameter of something like 0.3mm diameter. It is like a very sharp pencil line. If you cut parts with it, the slug slips back in with very little play. The 10w cost me around $300US (pre tariff), $100 for Lightburn software, and a $550 laptop. Sculpfun responds to questions overnight, and they have a clearance sale going on a US warehouse clearance. I tried to get a closeup of that 3’ tape measure, but after cropping, it became a mess. But that disc of veneer is 15/16” diameter. Link to the 10w machine https://www.sculpfun.com/collection...-engraving-machine-10w?variant=42446145257650

 

[Richard Coers]

I have a J Tech 4 watt diode laser head used for wood and plastics on my CNC's. Cost around $350 USD. But, that's just the head, the CNC moves it like a cutter is moved.

A complete system to engrave small items? $500 is not much money. Most of those wouldn't handle a bigger object like a bowl anyway.

For Amazon on relatively high tech items I try to go by the ratings. Any one star ratings make me nervous. My experience is high tech and low prices are not a good match on Amazon.

Are you aware that some plastics emit chlorine gas when cut on a laser? That will corrode the machine and possibly kill you if you don’t ventilate it properly.

 

[Joel Daniels]

I also have and use a LaserPecker 1. Looks like it's on sale right now if you go to their website. For me - it's the right size to brand my logo on the bottom of bowls and boxes.
I don't know about cutting material - I never use it for that. And, I have only used it on wood, so can't say anything about other material.

 

[Phil Hamel]

Another Laser pecker 1 user here. Works great for logo and signature! I use it for other small projects too.

 

[Bill Blasic]

I have a 40 watt CO2 desktop laser, a small laser dedicated to laser pens, a small interchangeable laser/CNC, a laser for my Rose Engine and a laser for the Lathe Engraver (if I ever get it finished). What I don't have is a laser for my Shark 510 HD because they cost so much from Next Wave, anyone who might have added one to their Shark CNC who has done it I'd like to hear about it. You can get a 40 watt desktop on the zon for about $385 about what I paid for mine a few years back.

 

[Dan Wiggin]

Another for Laser Pecker. Been using it a year now. Just keeps or burning!

 

[Webb Willmott]

Are you aware that some plastics emit chlorine gas when cut on a laser? That will corrode the machine and possibly kill you if you don’t ventilate it properly.

I would worry more about the dioxins than chlorine gas. PVC is probably the worst offender. And since this is a wood turning forum, marine driftwood is another offender when burned.

 

[Mike Novak]

I have a 5w xtool D1. It’s an open frame machine, so can go pretty big. I paid $299 last year for it.

I think it’s pretty well made for the price. Not strong enough for cutting, but higher power is available. Works great for signature on bottom and patterns on platters.

I use a cheap stepper motor mounted on my lathe to do patterns around edges of turnings. A little confusing to get the pattern just right, but it works for about 1/10 the cost of a rotary attachment.

Only downside is it takes up a bit of room on workbench. It’s 24”x24”

Ok, I just saw it’s discontinued as of January. All newer machines are fully enclosed and at least $600.

 

[Jim Grieco]

What the
Laser Pecker 2 new is $600 now!

 

[Ed Davidson]

I bought my first desktop laser about six years ago...a 5w diode model made by Ortur. Then, upgraded to a 10w diode version (the LM3) from the same manufacturer in 2022. Highly rated entry level machines: https://orturtech.com/products/olm3

See attached closeup images of lasing from the 10w Ortur machine from a couple years ago.

 

[Ed Davidson]

This is what I currently use...a 10/20w diode made by Roly Automation. Much safer to use (eye protection and fume venting), and better quality & cutting capability, but may be out of your price range: https://rolyautomation.com/

Also, whatever you end up selecting, be sure to buy from a manufacturer (probably Chinese) who stocks retail inventory, and ships to you, from a USA warehouse. That is the ONLY way to ensure you don't get stuck with unexpected Import Tariffs...assuming you live in the US!

 

[Dan Wiggin]

I just got an email from Laser Pecker November 6 to 14th. Sale up to 50%off. That’s when I bought mine for 50%off last year. Good Deal!

 

[Dan Wiggin]

Good inexpensive way to go I think