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humpty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2008
Messages
547
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Enjoy!

I have an Epilog Zing 35w at work here, I use it to make signs and tags.
It has been a fantastic machine!

humpty
 
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Toolman12

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
2,425
Location
A thousand miles from erehwon
I have been interested in starting a small business making signs do you think this machine is worth the money as apposed to silk screening the sign?
also how much is this machine pictured cost ?
 
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cburnscrx

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
1,751
Location
Indianapolis
Just an FYI, you might not want to put up a picture of a copied HD logo on the internet...that whole trademark infringement thing...
 
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Packard V8

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Joined
Mar 16, 2009
Messages
7,380
Location
Spokane, WA
AFAIK, one can post photos/reproductions without problems. It's when offering to sell copies a trademark owner will land a lawyer on your ***. Even selling that one laser engraved copy to an individual would be a trademark violation.

FWIW, reportedly H-D now makes more profit off the logo licensing, crappage, clothing lines and accessories they sell at their downtown/mall stores and dealerships than they make off the bikes.

That's why profitable companies are so protective of the trademark.

jack vines
 
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ilovevocs

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Joined
Jun 26, 2009
Messages
1,966
Location
Toledo, Ohio
That is awesome. I used to use a laser cutter allot to build architectural models back in the day. Then went to 3d printing; mostly stereo lyth. or srs. Certainly worth your time to market your services to local architectural firms and if you have the skills to build basic models possibly market to developers. They used to commission models for the sales office of their projects allot in my area.
 
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RCStocker

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 12, 2012
Messages
1,266
Location
Indiana, California, Australia
Toolman12 said:
I have been interested in starting a small business making signs do you think this machine is worth the money as apposed to silk screening the sign?
also how much is this machine pictured cost ?
Click to expand...

You will never be successful at business if you are to lazy to look up the price of the machines and do some research. Everyone and his brother do silk screening and there are a lot of way to make signs. The net is full of people offering them. You need to find a market or nitch and fill it. It is rude to ask how much something cost. It was when I was growing up.
 
OP
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chadster1

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
4,023
Location
Terrell, Texas
Packard V8 said:
AFAIK, one can post photos/reproductions without problems. It's when offering to sell copies a trademark owner will land a lawyer on your ***. Even selling that one laser engraved copy to an individual would be a trademark violation.

FWIW, reportedly H-D now makes more profit off the logo licensing, crappage, clothing lines and accessories they sell at their downtown/mall stores and dealerships than they make off the bikes.

That's why profitable companies are so protective of the trademark.

jack vines
Click to expand...

The Harley logo is not for sale. That was just a piece I engraved to see what the engraving looks like on granite.
 
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ToddG

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Joined
Oct 15, 2011
Messages
109
My wife had one of those laser engravers at her rubber stamp business. One morning a bunch of bees came in through the exhaust hose. She couldn't figure out what to do. The fan wouldn't **** them out so she programmed in an "intricate" piece! It was entertaining to watch:shocking:
 
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t100

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2009
Messages
6,101
normally, in the custom logo decoration industry, vendors normally charge the orders this way for laser engraving:
#1 setup: $40 is average
#2 basic run charge $.50 - 1.00 per sq. inch per piece.
#3 extra run charge for large pieces based on sq. inches.

on #2, normally basic run charge is waived if you are selling the items being engraved(you are making the money from selling the item).

play with it with different settings, also on different material. make sure you get an idea on the run time and setup time. unlike Yag, CO2 laser is slow. it makes quit bit of smoke, machine ventilation is very critical since the light beam has to go through it. keep the little bitty parts and lenses clean goes along way.

good luck.
 
OP
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chadster1

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
4,023
Location
Terrell, Texas
t100 said:
normally, in the custom logo decoration industry, vendors normally charge the orders this way for laser engraving:
#1 setup: $40 is average
#2 basic run charge $.50 - 1.00 per sq. inch per piece.
#3 extra run charge for large pieces based on sq. inches.

on #2, normally basic run charge is waived if you are selling the items being engraved(you are making the money from selling the item).

play with it with different settings, also on different material. make sure you get an idea on the run time and setup time. unlike Yag, CO2 laser is slow. it makes quit bit of smoke, machine ventilation is very critical since the light beam has to go through it. keep the little bitty parts and lenses clean goes along way.

good luck.
Click to expand...

I have an exhaust system set up, you can see the ducting behind the machine.

Thanks for the tips on pricing, I plan on trying to do mainly wholesale work. I have several contacts and already have one sports shop committed to working with me to sell custom engraved items.

Once I get my photo engraving up and running, I will be approaching area photographers with my services as well.
 
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tarbellb

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2011
Messages
5,757
Location
Oregon
Epilog is the best out there. My brother has been doing some amazing work with his 35W machine for the last few years.

Good luck!
 
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CNGsaves

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 26, 2012
Messages
13,233
Location
KS and OK
Good luck OP . . . . might be jumpstart to your business to "get in good" with any local award or placque companies. Typically these just do the small engraving. Your bigger equipment would be logical next step-up for customers who want something bigger.
 
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Frosthy

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Messages
196
Location
FL
I think the real question is: Can you do business cards out of thin sheetmetal?
 
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Samson

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
123
This is awesome! Just watched the video posted on your Facebook page. Never seen something like that done before, interesting.
 
OP
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chadster1

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
4,023
Location
Terrell, Texas
Copied from http://www.epiloglaser.com/laserable_materials.htm

I have a CO2 laser

Engrave Cut
Wood x x
Acrylic x x
Fabric x x
Glass x
Coated Metals x
Ceramic x
Delrin x x
Cloth x x
Leather x x
Marble x
Matte Board x x
Melamine x x
Paper x x
Mylar x x
Pressboard x x
Rubber x x
Wood Veneer x x
Fiberglass x x
Painted Metals x
Tile x
Plastic x x
Cork x x
Corian x x
Anodized Aluminum x
Ceramics x
Stainless Steel *
Brass *
Titanium *
 
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