I am thinking of getting a small laser for logo and other small stuff DO NOT want to spend more then I'm thinking $200.00 any recommendation's out there also need one that's pretty easy to figure out as i am very puter stupid 👍😎😍🙄😜
This is the one I got. For exactly what you’re speaking about.
Comgrow Laser Engraving Machine...
Small, inexpensive, very very easy to use. It certainly has limitations to just being an engraver (although it will cut card stock and the like, maybe super light balsa or something). It’s chinesium to be sure, and maybe just a little wonky, but it’s done great for me. Essentially anything you can snap a pic of on your phone it will engrave, including grey scale.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I have the Ortur laser and use Lightburn software. Not to difficult to learn but a continuous learning progression as Lightburn has upgrades once in awhile. If you look at the Breast Cancer Boxes these were engraved with this laser. On the "other" site are some older Yarn Boxes, Coasters (Cork and Slate) all done on the laser The Ortur is not enclosed in a housing, I made one with air, a vent and lights. Works fine. Be sure to get the right kind of plastic for the windows to make it safe to look inside. Do not use it as much as when it was new. Big complaint on Lightburn iis no erase when importing images. Sometimes want to get rid of part of an image. If each part is loaded seperately then it can do it. Suppose to be coming.
I’ve heard good things about the Ortur lasers Ron. Do you insight on their less expensive rigs? Worth it? Limitations? Quality? Additional costs to make it functional?
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I have bought a Atomstack after I ad seen this vid.
You ave to take some time to use the Lightburn software. I started with GRBL software (which is for free) but was not glad with it. For Lightburn you have to pay.
I'm glad with it. I realize they are out there with more/better options, but for what I do with it (engraving) he is excellent. I was considering buying a branding stamp but this laser is much more versatile and therefore relatively inexpensive. I paid € 190 for the Atomstack and approx € 50 for the sofrware.
I have an Ortur LM2. It's my second Ortur and it works fine. I added air assist, a camera for alignment, replaced the wiring and added drag chains for a cleaner look. I use it in my shop/garage so smoke isn't an issue. I have a small shield that surrounds the lens but I also use goggles when needed. Lightburn is very easy to use. They are around $200. They aren't as finicky as a 3D printer but they take some patience and practice. There are many that are more powerful and fancier but they are priced accordingly. It's great for engraving but I regularly cut 1/8" Baltic birch plywood also.
At least in the video, the A5 certainly looks pretty capable. Man I hope the Comgrow machine comes back on the market. Not nearly as capable, but so cheap they’re almost disposable…and very compact. Once of my biggest issues is benchtop space…I don’t have it. The little Comgrow stores away so easy…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Boys (and Girls) with the lasers... what input does it take to run/print...
I use SketchUp to design... of course that is 3D. but I 2D it to generate cut lines that are then printed to a vector PDF. That is imported into CorelDraw where I tidy it up (if needed) and design the vectors for engraving.
From there I can then just print to my laser like any inkject printer and the cut/engrave is governed by the color and thickness of lines. Coloured hairline lines are cut in a set colour sequence, and anything black is engraved. CorelDraw can export to many formats.
If any of the formats can be used on your machine, you just need to ask (no need for home delivery of pellets of cask-o-vino). These are the exportable formats from CorelDraw,
From SketchUp,
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
now i have ordered the comgrow expected to be here today i have another question probably for Ryan since he has one can i do inlays with this laser ? 🤔🙄
Tony I think you’d be a little hard pressed to do inlays with the Comgrow. A more powerful laser would probably cut deep enough to allow it. I would think, with the right wood, you might be able to burn it deep enough with the Comgrow to backfill it with epoxy, but I don’t know for sure. I use the Comgrow specifically as an engraver. For inlay stuff I use the CNC router. But that’s just me. Other guys with more laser background might have a better feel for it.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
