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Maybe the only thing I have picked up, and have seen it a lot that Lighburn was the much better software.
I think I am mostly split between do I want to start really low cost, maybe 5 watts, and just see how far I can go with the freebie GRBL. Or do I want to get more power, and just use the Lightburn right away. With all of the jewelry, and baskets my Wife does, there is a lot of possible application, plus for me I really am mostly interested in doing Shaker Trees, and Celtic Crosses to pop onto box tops, and such. Of course I have to get feeling well enough to get into the shop, but I am hopeful this just happened today.
I'll figure to do the low entry thing, and then trying to follow all of the links and articles, just to find what is written about as really low cost, is now over a grand, or it has simply fallen off Earth, and no sign of it is available.
I guess the rapid growth is to blame somewhat, but I mostly blame all of these dodgy azz search engines. I assign any search like this with "as of 4/5/2024", and still just get a ton of chit from 2019, or so.
So finding articles, reviews, and actual info from the makers seems to exist in several time periods at once.
Rich, you mention Xtool, and a few of their machines do have features that sound like they would be must haves, but of all the makers I think maybe they are worst on having the same machine (at least by name) as what is being sold, but in several different timelines. It's like they have never withdrawn ANYTHING they have ever put out, even after they quit making a model. So for me, they have been the King and Queen of confusion. I am just not sure about sending them $$$$$ to find I paid todays price for a model that is scheduled for extinction. Or I could get it for 1/2 what I paid?
I think maybe I need to hit the local WoodCraft. A while back I was all go on getting a CNC. Went up there a few Thursday nights when they had CNC meetings. I was the only guy there who didn't own one, and all of them were mostly lusting for something to do, to offset their cost. I never did buy one, and just call one of the guys, and have them do the work for me. It's worked out great. They happy, I'm ecstatic. If they have something going like that for Laser I can get hands on, and figure better if I wanna be the doer, or the customer. All I know is I was looking at spending 4K or better, and after having something like 80 pieces made for me, I don't think I am out 200 bux yet, plus me giving them wood to do the work on, but that is hardly cost associated with getting a CNC.
I think I am mostly split between do I want to start really low cost, maybe 5 watts, and just see how far I can go with the freebie GRBL. Or do I want to get more power, and just use the Lightburn right away. With all of the jewelry, and baskets my Wife does, there is a lot of possible application, plus for me I really am mostly interested in doing Shaker Trees, and Celtic Crosses to pop onto box tops, and such. Of course I have to get feeling well enough to get into the shop, but I am hopeful this just happened today.
I'll figure to do the low entry thing, and then trying to follow all of the links and articles, just to find what is written about as really low cost, is now over a grand, or it has simply fallen off Earth, and no sign of it is available.
I guess the rapid growth is to blame somewhat, but I mostly blame all of these dodgy azz search engines. I assign any search like this with "as of 4/5/2024", and still just get a ton of chit from 2019, or so.
So finding articles, reviews, and actual info from the makers seems to exist in several time periods at once.
Rich, you mention Xtool, and a few of their machines do have features that sound like they would be must haves, but of all the makers I think maybe they are worst on having the same machine (at least by name) as what is being sold, but in several different timelines. It's like they have never withdrawn ANYTHING they have ever put out, even after they quit making a model. So for me, they have been the King and Queen of confusion. I am just not sure about sending them $$$$$ to find I paid todays price for a model that is scheduled for extinction. Or I could get it for 1/2 what I paid?
I think maybe I need to hit the local WoodCraft. A while back I was all go on getting a CNC. Went up there a few Thursday nights when they had CNC meetings. I was the only guy there who didn't own one, and all of them were mostly lusting for something to do, to offset their cost. I never did buy one, and just call one of the guys, and have them do the work for me. It's worked out great. They happy, I'm ecstatic. If they have something going like that for Laser I can get hands on, and figure better if I wanna be the doer, or the customer. All I know is I was looking at spending 4K or better, and after having something like 80 pieces made for me, I don't think I am out 200 bux yet, plus me giving them wood to do the work on, but that is hardly cost associated with getting a CNC.
