Suitable Lasercutter for Hobbyist to Side Hustle

• 

  [Deactivated] on 25/07/2019 - 22:12

  +3

  I think you should test your concept before sinking in $2,000.

  There are laser cutting/engraving services that operate on a BYO file and material basis. You get access to an industrial size machine that has been calibrated and well maintained. In contrast, a $2,000 machine either buys a very entry level hobby kit or a light commercial China copy.

  I have bought China copy commercial equipment before. It takes a lot of assembly experience as often, the entire assembly instructions is a single exploded view diagram of the machine. It's also very rough around the edges, and a lot of trial and error to get it to work as intended. Having said that, once you have tuned it, it performs well.

  My experience has generally been with big cast iron machines and I've heard that anything software related it is a worse experience.

  If you're thinking of making identical objects in large numbers, it's definitely not the right equipment and not viable to do in Australia. There are printing/cutting services available in China that can source materials cheaper, mass manufacture, package and ship for far less than it would cost you to do in your garage, even if you already own all the equipment.

  The only reason why I'd consider a light commercial laser/CNC is to prototype whilst protecting my intellectual property.

  Ps. Failed to find the company I used to prototype with in the past. Found this mob that is similar. Has all the equipment needed for basic prototyping. If you're prototyping, make sure they don't retain files nor make every component with the same mob.

  • 

    Chongy288 on 25/07/2019 - 22:29

    Thanks! You have basically hit the spot on my thoughts and concerns. I am going though the cost exercise with some local laser cutting services and simple fact is their cutting time is not cheap (of cause they have to run a business too). I've just started contacting a few suppliers through Alibaba for custom cut acrylic panels and awaiting for a price after many clarification correspondences with the language barrier.. The commitment to amounts and quality of work is what I am weighing up right now, if you have any recommendations please PM so we can discuss further.

    But yes, I'm paying $20-$90 for test samples of acrylic laser cut from some local cutters in Brisbane and can see the value in getting a small/medium laser cutter for material/design testing and maybe a back up for a quick turnaround order if required.

    Thanks for your input, I would still be interested in the china copy equipment. I'm not afraid of learning but I don't want to be so out of my depth where it is all wasted.

    Cheers for finding the laser cutter, I'll send them a bell and cheers for the IP advise. It is my biggest concern of doing work in China..

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 25/07/2019 - 22:43

      China equipment is okay but I've recently sworn off buying China equipment. My last machine took me four weeks to assemble from day of delivery. There was a missing part and several items were completely reengineered but the instructions were not updated.

      Many use parts that look very similar, ie. 10mm bolts and 12mm bolts yet the instructions do not make any written distinction. You only find out when the machine is operating and something like a bolt is slightly longer, causing something else to not move properly. Reassembly time.

      … and you have to hope you didn't strip any bolts or taps.

      Of course, I've faced all of the above.

      The last time I worked with laser cutting and CNC, I used a mob that I can no longer Google so I'm guessing they went bust.

      I'm actually still considering a similar item, a PRO4896 (CNC router). My criteria for CNC machines is that it has to be modular and built on a common aluminum extrusion system like 8020. This means I can always expand the platform for length and width. I'm not sure if that's possible for a laser cutter but I don't see any reason why not. Essentially it's just a laser attached to a 2 or 3 axis movable mount.

      • 

        wittyusername on 26/07/2019 - 15:51

        I've only just started looking into CNC machines, but keep coming across the Mostly Printed CNC and Lowrider - do you have any thoughts on these?

        • 

          [Deactivated] on 26/07/2019 - 16:07

          +1

          @wittyusername: Ah. They both look really cool but alas, each of them has something that is an absolute contraindication for me.

          The Mostly Printed requires a background in 3D printing, which I'm too uninterested in. I also question the rigidity of the components due to the nature of the materials used. My intended use of the CNC is cutting inlays and I work with expensive materials, so the cost of an error due to plastic parts flexing isn't a trade off I'd consider.

          The lowrider is very nice for the price but I need 3rd axis movement (up down).

          They're good starter kits and if you develop a deeper interest/skill or turn it into an income, neither one of those machines would cut it.

• 

  Capo93 on 26/07/2019 - 00:09

  I have no knowledge of CNC/laser machines but I do know someone who repairs them, retrofits machines and rewrites new software for local and overseas customers and much more.

  Business name is Electronics in Motion, they are also known as CNC Teknix. His EIM website is down, if you are keen to get into contact with him, let me know and I’ll get an email/phone number for you. He is based in Gerringong in NSW.

  • 

    Chongy288 on 26/07/2019 - 19:38

    Thanks, will be worth looking in to as I’m sure lots of businesses come and go with laser cutters.

• 

  Ace Ventura on 26/07/2019 - 18:24

  I have limited knowledge here, but take your time to read about laser tube cooling, you'll have a choice of air or water cooled, one either end of the price scale, and one either end of the life expectation scale. Buying a cheap chinese laser, you might get adequate results, but could be replacing tubes at a cost close to that of a whole machine at a regular basis.
  Spend a bit more, and you will get a longer lifespan, but you'll have a lot more work needed to recoup costs.

  We made a few phone calls to aussie distributors earlier this year, for a small workshop, all of them gave us similar info, after running the numbers, we ended up putting the funds into a cnc router instead. Not exactly the same thing, but far more suitable for our workshop.

  • 

    Chongy288 on 26/07/2019 - 19:47

    Yeah I’ve been recommended getting a cnc machine because of its reliability but I would need a really fine end fitting.
    To be honest I imagine there would be many closets laser cut owners but maybe it is a path many have just avoided because of things you have mentioned.
    Thanks for your input, might start looking at a cnc option

    • 

      Ace Ventura on 26/07/2019 - 20:14

      How fine are you looking for?
      We've engraved with .5mm bits successfully, but if you set the programs right, you'd do larger bits first, swap out bits and do the fine bits on a separate run. An auto bit changing machine would be heaven, but was out of our budget.
      Cuts are more based on how much material you're leaving, not taking out, a .5mm cut would take hours as the bits have little rigidity and you'd need to run your passes at something stupid shallow like .2mm, meaning more passes, more time.