Laser Engravers & Cutters

[kwb]

Okay - I have the plasma table, the kid has a 3D printer, and now it is either a Router or a Laser.

I know very little about these tabletop laser units and haven't seen a lot of discussion here about them but it sure feels like it is right in the GJ wheelhouse. I had kind of figured one of the router tables would be the next toy but just shopping around I think a laser might do more of what I have in mind for wood, plastics, and engraving into them for things like dash/electrical panels in boats. Since a laser is non-contact equipment rigidity can be a lot lower so for the price point you can get larger working envelope.

Anybody have one or have tips on what to look for among the home grade stuff? My only experience with lasers are bigger industrial fiber lasers on the end of robotic arms... or as a coworker said - "Give the robots a light saber.... what could go wrong?"

 

[thejimmy]

I often think about buying one of the desktop laser's, checkout Ohmtech's website for home and larger machines

 

[gte718p]

I often think about buying one of the desktop laser's, checkout Ohmtech's website for home and larger machines

They actually have pretty good prices for the ubiquitous K40. They are a little more expensive but they have already done the popular and hand upgrades. If you do it yourself it it would be a wash. You might save a few bucks but spend a ton of time.

The however lost me at designed and engineered in the US. It is a modified K40. I may be modified in the US, but nothing about its design of engineering is American. That is a straight up lie that makes me question the company as a whole.