Calling all Brits.

[Foxfold]

I'm considering getting a Laser Engraving Machine.  Don't have a clue !!  Does anyone on here, that lives in the UK, have one ? I have looked on the Internet and would like this 'Type' of machine I think.  Any tips / advice ?   Thinking of treating myself for my Birthday.   

[JimErn]

Steve Good just did a review of one like that in his blog, check it

[spirithorse]

Seems like Iguanadon has sparked some interest!
Hope you get your birthday wish and it is all you hope for!
God Bless! Spirithorse

[Foxfold]

Mmm, will check Steves blog when he's done it.  I'm still checking YouTube and various other sites. A few of the ones I like the look of are, as far as I can see only available in the USA.  Trying to find out which ones are considered a good buy in the UK,

[don watson]

Hi Brenda,

The first thing to consider is 'do you want to build it yourself', fairly easy to do and saves a bit on the overall cost, or 'buy a fully built and tested machine'. ??

I have an Eleksmaker 650mm x 500mm laser engraver. This came in a box for self assembly. This is a bit of a brute at that size but I have it outside in the shed now and haven't seen it since the start of winter, I have bought a CNC machine and it is sitting on the desktop. It is not a simple machine (none of them are) but quite easy to get up and running if you follow the instructions. The main extrusions are aluminium and fit together perfectly. The stepper motors that move the various bits are standard motors and it all went together easily. There are various programmes to run these machines but they all require a  computer to run them. I found that T2 Laser and BenCutLaser are the 2 best programmes and both have trial versions that you can use and decide which you prefer. I have tried both and prefer T2 Laser (I have it on 2 computers, this meant buying 2 copies of the programme).

Any other thoughts you may have you can PM me if you wish.

take care

Don W

PS I don't have any knowledge of the machine in your picture.

[Paul hd]

Hi Brenda,

I got one a couple of weeks ago and I love it. This was my first test.

Edit. I should mention my one is a Neje Master 7W

 

Edited January 12, 2020 by Paul hd

[Foxfold]

21 minutes ago, Paul hd said:

I should mention my one is a Neje Master 7W

May I ask, where did you get it from ?  That's the type I was looking for I think.   Was it / is it easy enough to use, even for a techno phobic old biddy ?

[Paul hd]

Hi Brenda,

I got it from a company called Banggood.com

It did arrive with a couple of problems but it is not worth risking sending back to China.

If you can get from a supplier in the UK that would be best, just in case you have problems.

If you can join a forum and make posts I can't see why you would have a problem with the laser.

The kit from banggood needs two cables plugged up and the laser arm fitted. Which is very simple.

If you get one and need help, I can make a video of the steps you need to make to put it together.

[Sparkey]

Paul will it work on metal? I was looking for one that would engrave metal so I could make small emblems to put in the bottom of my bowls.

[Paul hd]

6 hours ago, Sparkey said:

Paul will it work on metal? I was looking for one that would engrave metal so I could make small emblems to put in the bottom of my bowls.

Hi Rusty,

I'm not  sure if it can engrave metal. I have not seen any vids showing that. I will do a test next time I'm in the shed. What metal would you use?

 

[Sparkey]

2 hours ago, Paul hd said:

Hi Rusty,

I'm not  sure if it can engrave metal. I have not seen any vids showing that. I will do a test next time I'm in the shed. What metal would you use?

 

Whatever type of metal it will engrave on. I am looking to put my information on a round metal disc and insert it into the bottom of different things I make.