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Please could i get some recommendations on engravers?
Hello all at UK Sign Board. I am new here and have read thru most of the topics under this section and its been some great help.
I currently work for a local sign firm near me, "Active Signs Ltd" as a CNC Operator and use an AR600 and Tornado routers.
I am looking at purchasing a CNC engraver or laser, I don’t have the biggest budget in the world but money isn’t the problem at the moment. I am looking at engraving metal, perspex, wood and various other materials.
The kind of work i am looking at doing is Zippo lighters, pendants, plaques, door signs, pens and various other small signage.
Ive been looking at the EGX series from Roland but don’t think they will be sufficient for what i require.
Please could i get some recommendations on good cheap engravers for what i require.
Thanks in advance for the help and much appreciated.
Darren.
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10 Replies
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I purchased a Dahlgren Wizard 2000ST 18 months ago second hand from http://www.ronamachine.co.uk . For the money I paid, I got a well serviced machine, 1/2 days training, computer and software. This machine has an engraving area of 12" square and by the book 1 1/2 " clearance on the z axis, however I have engraved much bigger by thinking "outside the box" !!! (typical engineer). I do all of the things you are planning in addition I have successfully engraved glass, slate and wood to great effect. I manufacture goods out of brass and anodised aluminium. I have avoided stainless as this is a tough material to work with unless you have a strong machine (stainless work hardens as its cut) From what I know know I would have gone with a 1/4" spindle rather than the 1/8" that I have due to the selection of cutters available. Swarf extraction is via a £30 Tesco hoover and some reinforced garden hose.
Suppliers include
http://www.mastergrave.co.uk
http://www.suregrave.co.uk
http://www.swatkins.co.ukTrophex is a must go see every January held at the NEC a swell as Sign UK.
If you need more help, just ask……..
P.S. Welcome aboard and out of pure etiquette I would post a welcome on the "say Hello" pages if I were you.
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I would get a laser , its way more versatile than any rotary engraver , albeit it does not do mettals that well , but the vast range of other stuff you can cut and engrave with it will more than pay.
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quote Rodney Gold:I would get a laser , its way more versatile than any rotary engraver , albeit it does not do mettals that well , but the vast range of other stuff you can cut and engrave with it will more than pay.
Would love to have a laser machine, but Im probably 2 years off getting one. As you say the possibilities are endless if you have an open engineering mind, and have the "Ill give that a go" attitude. Very happy with my little wizard, and this will be funding the laser…………
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There are some cheap but not too bad machines coming from china these days , like a 80w 1200 x 800mm machine for under $5k
In a year or 2 , these machines will be up there with the best of the mainstream makers. -
Thanks for the help, I will be going to the Introduction forum in a second.
I would love to buy a laser but they are more expensive, plus i am planning on cutting alot of metal.
With the Wizard have you tried cutting stainless steel pens? if so how did they go?
Also if you wouldn’t mind could you give me a rough price you payed for your Wizard?
Thanks, Darren.
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I have done plenty of pens, usually enamel coated with a drag diamond, however you will need the appropriate jig and vice combination to hold them. For successful marking of stainless you will probably require a rotating burnishing diamond.
I paid a little over £4000 (inc VAT) for my set up, considerably less than new however I have added quite a few tools, jigs and a center vice since then. Next upgrade will be a new 1/4" spindle to take advantage of the wider range of available tools.
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grafityp do a very good range of lasers at affordable prices for the line of work you are wanting to do. http://www.grafityp.co.uk/
for bigger bed laser routers as in 3mx2m ide speak to AXYZ.co.uk.
i am not sure if its only in addition to one of their existing machines. but i beleive you can upgrade the machines head. i.e. have it changed to the laser. -
Ive been looking around has anyone had any experience with CNCShark machines?
http://www.nextwaveautomation.com/cncSharkPro.htm
Or this, EM700 CNC Engraver
Feedback on these would be appriciated.
Thanks.
mod-edit please do not post ebay links, thank you… 😀
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From your post Graeme you have swayed me into purchasing a Wizard.
Is there anyone else on this forum whom have used this machine as i would like a little more feedback before i go out purchase the machine.
Whats the wizard like on intricate detail such as logos engraved onto lighters and such.
Thanks in advance for the replies.
Darren.
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The detail has very little to do with the actual machine and more to do with your graphics and cutter tip width. You must find a happy medium between detail and what can be done without bunching too many lines together. I genrally keep 3 copies of my ai files strangely called "low", "med" and "high" detail. I create the high quality image first, then remove detail for the other two copies.
It will come with practice and a good eye.
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