Laser cutter, views and opinions needed please?

[Robert Lambie]

Not something I know a lot about, but have always fancied one and looked into them a while back. Grafityp certainly is a good place to start and have been selling them for a long time now.

John Thomson has had one a few years now. I think John has the best track record that I know of, for importing in machines like this and various others with no problems what so ever.

[David McCarroll]

Kev,

We got a laser about 3/4 Months ago from Roddy at Mounters Mate, Omar’s counterpart.

It’s been excellent so far and the price was spot on, we opted for a 1300×900 bed with a 150w tube and cutting 5mm acrylic is about 12mms with excellent finish. It came with the chiller and extraction unit etc. We also bought the rotary device and honeycomb bed which we haven’t used yet.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Many thanks David, just spoke with Roddy & was very helpful. I will have a look at their offering today.
After hankering after a cnc for years, I looked at how many times we’ve actually needed anything cut that was bigger than 900mm. Found it wasn’t that often so a laser seems to be ticking quite a few boxes for me.

[David McCarroll]

Since buying the laser, the only thing were using the CNC for is cutting foamex and for sign trays, everything else is on the laser now plus the easability of being able to stop and start lasers and switching materials is so much faster than the CNC.

[John Thomson]

I imported a Redsail 700mm x 500mm 60W laser over 8 years of so ago from China. Great tool that has paid for itself many times over.
Lower power tubes are better for engraving, higher power tubes better for cutting.

If you want the peace of mind of local tech support and someone to set it up then then a UK distributor / importer will give you that…..but at a price

Never had any issues with it..had to replace a tube but that was due to me running it at 95% power which shortens their life. Chinese CO2 lasers should be run at around 60% power as the optimum.

John

[Kevin Mahoney]

Thanks guys, not so worried about wasting the money now. Found a company called HPC who were really helpful. Going up for a demo hopefully next week.

[Dan Osterbery]

I bought an hpc laser and imported it to Spain last year. Fantastic bit of kit for the price, we have used it every day.The range of jobs you can do on it is awesome. Very happy with the back up as well. Good company to deal with.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Thanks for the feedback Dan. Do you
Predominantly cut or engrave with it?

[Dan Osterbery]

We cut a lot of perspex, but have used it to engrave, make wedding invitations, cut leather, make menus boards, engrave wooden cheese boards, engrave foam boat keyrings, coasters, mylar stencils, paper stencils. The range of materials you can cut is tremendous, make trophies, engrave boat sign plates, keyrings, earrings. Wish I had bought one earlier!

[Kevin Mahoney]

I’ve swerved working with acrylics for years as its not easy to cut so I’m quite looking forward to having a go at making some built up letters, as it would allow cutting the returns as well as the faces.

[Dan Osterbery]

quote Kevin Mahoney:

I’ve swerved working with acrylics for years as its not easy to cut so I’m quite looking forward to having a go at making some built up letters, as it would allow cutting the returns as well as the faces.

So simple cutting acrylic, quick easy and a great finish. You will love it!

[Kevin Mahoney]

I can see some very long nights on the horizon for me soon. The wife is gonna love it

[Dan Osterbery]

quote Kevin Mahoney:

I can see some very long nights on the horizon for me soon. The wife is gonna love it

Make her some earrings! [emoji3]

[Kevin Mahoney]

[emoji1]