Laser Engravers/Cutters

[RosscoPCole]

I'm just wondering if anyone on PH has a laser engraver/cutter? After a lot of research I'm thinking of buying a Creality Falcon2 Pro 60W as it is not too expensive and can be used on a variety of materials. Does anyone have experience of using one and, if so, what are they like?

[akirk]

yes - have an xTool D1Pro (20w)

the Creality isn't one I have used - but it has a good reputation
1000s of superb videos on youtube which are worth going through to learn how to use it

[JamesW]

Yes - got an Xtool S1 with the additional 2W IR laser

[JamesW]

We did quite a bit of research on it, and in the end the X1 came out ahead of the one you are looking it.

What are you looking to use it for?

Primarily we're using it to engrave anodised aluminium, and cut wood for prototypes

[RosscoPCole]

Thanks for the replies. Am looking to set up a small business making personalised items from plywood, acrylic, etc. Also looking at engraving glass, coffee mugs with a rotary attachment. I use a laser at work, but in education so use educational software, but I can export what I have already produced as a dxf or svg file. I have used many different materials ranging from slate to cotton and would like to do the same. What software does everyone use, LightBurn or LaserGRBL?
Any other advice, hints and tips would be much appreciated.

[akirk]

you do need to do more research then as different laser types will cut / engrave different materials - so if you use a standard Diode laser like mine - you can't cut or engrave transparent acrylic -you need to select laser type to go with the products you plan - so do you need CO2 / diode / fibre / etc.?

You also need to consider the financial aspect - are you doing this for fun (selling items to cover the cost of buying the laser?) or to build a business - in which case it is all about speed / process / time and cost per item - in which case you may be better off having several cheaper ones v. 1 expensive one...

If you are wanting to build a business it is also worth doing some research into who else is offering similar products (etsy is one place to look) as it will be important to understand your competition / market... and it is worth noting that commercially you are behind the curve - those who had the best opportunity commercially were doing this a number of years ago - some of whom have built strong niches (e.g. there is a chap who builds router templates and then produces them from clear acrylic on his laser - he has cornered that market) - or who just have good customer bases on etsy and elsewhere...

as I mentioned above there are a lot of videos on youtube (many American - but still valid) on setting up a business as you describe - it would probably be most valuable to go there and just sit and watch through them to build up an idea of what is best...

[andrewcliffe]

Core Emblaser user here.

[JamesW]

I agree - we bought the X1 to engrave anodised aluminium front panels - and it looked like the 10W Blue laser would do a perfect job. What actually happened was absolutely zilch, not a single mark - honestly, if the ships were in Star Wars were made of anodised aluminium everyone would have given up and gone home!

We then ended up building the 2W IR laser (which is lower power than the standard) and it does a brilliant job.

If you are in the kent area, you are welcome to pop in and try it

[Racing Sparrow]

Not Creality no, but one of the bigger 60W Chinese jobbies. An absolute bh to get running to the point it's at now, but it does run sweet.

Adobe Illustrator .dxf to the rubbish software provided with the laser, but that's only just to convert the .dxf to what the laser can see.

Christmas is a great time to focus on, so get your designs done early. amongst some other good paying projects, the Christmas stuff paid for a good chunk of the laser. Although tubes are quite pricey.

Do NOT underestimate the level of smoke some types of wood emit

Edited by Racing Sparrow on Thursday 24th April 18:44

[Billy Eyelash]

I have a Creality Falcon2 Pro 22W. It does everything I have needed so far:
Plywood/MDF up to 3mm
Occasional 6mm solid beech.
Leather
3mm Dark Acrylic
0.8mm black ABS
felt.

It will cut thicker wood ( 12mm plywood ) but it doesn't cut cleanly and there is a lot of soot.

I have the exhaust piped through the shed wall, but a small amount of detectable fumes are still escaping the enclosure.
The enclosure also has the benefit that additional eye protection isn't required.

[RosscoPCole]

Again, thank you for all the great replies and advice. It's looking like an xTool P2S is the way to go. It looks easy to set up and can be used on a variety of materials as it has a CO2 laser.
I'm just going to be setting up something small to start with as I have a job already and will see how things progress.