Laser Manufacturers
Notes on each Manufacturer, including reviews
Associated Equipment
- California Air Tools offers an ultra quiet, oil-free compressor.
Tips on Choosing a Laser
- What bed size do you need?
- Can you perform maintenance yourself, or do you need local technicians?
- When it breaks, how long will it take to get it fixed?
- What software drives the machine and can it import your design files?
- Is there a local maker space that will let you test drive it?
User Commentary
User 1
A no-name "50 watt laser" is around $1200 and worst case if the software is terrible, a lightobject DSP is only $350 and not terrible.
For something out of the box and mostly ready to rock no frills, limited support, get a G Weike. G Weike probably made the hardware for the Trotecs, Hurricanes, Boss, Thunder, Rabbit, etc. lasers that cost more for US support.
If you really don't want to fiddle with it and you need to get to work, get an Epilog. They're rock solid, the software is good, they're high speed and have great support, and the RF laser tubes produce a much smaller beam diameter than any glass high voltage DC tubes. They inherently engrave at a higher DPI and it shows in glass and acrylic. The epilogs really shine at rastered halftones in acrylic or glass.
User 2
<<add your comments here>>
Tips on buying a Chinese laser
I basically built my list of requirements (bed size, laser type/power, etc) (It would be nice to add a list of typical requirements so others know what to ask for) I wanted and sent it off to 10+ laser manufacturers on Alibaba and waited for a response of what they have and they could provide.
It takes 2 months to get to the US via sea port shipping and FDA 2811 clearance. It is a class 4 laser, and if you do not file the right paperwork you will get lost in clearance and customs. A broker is highly advised, but you do not need a $500 bond when a smaller bond will work just fine. Find a different broker if they force you to do a $500 yearly bond. A single entry bond is fine. I paid $72.
