Resolved Laser for engraving?

[Jleschak]

I’m about to pull the trigger on a 20w xTool S1 with the 2w IR module (and $hitload of bells and whistles) and wanted to get feedback on value of the purchase. A lot of my internet customers are looking For personalization option (and while I print to quality photo paper and put in a mat window, brass and SS Plate options would be nice). Intent is to engrave metal plates in-house, my own branding, and possibly engrave on the moulding (I have an old antique frame where Piedmont cigarettes did the equivalent to this). I play a lot so may use this for other things like private labeling on my Folio Boxes, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[Rick Hennen]

My experience after owning numerous pieces of CNC type machines is that they are only as good as the software that runs them as well as the software used to create the vector designs. If both of the softwares are of good quality, then once the learning curve is over they tend to turn into work horses. The definitely tend have less issues than employees.

 

[Bob Carter]

i was contracted by biggest US mfgr, ULS in AZ to create a marketing plan so they could sell to frameshops. my compensation a new machine and a ton of local support The price tag was around 10k. 10k was out of reach for almost all frameshops
FWIW ours is 20yrs old, 40w CO2 12x24bed. Coreldraw came installed
My suggestion is to find a local mentor to get up and running; the learning curve, for us, was huge and costly
i'll share more offline
In the 20yrs, we replaced one cartridge, several little fixes and just a 2wk overhaul-X, Y CALIBRATORS just wore out
buy American with local help
i'll share what i can my expertise is limited
Rick-we have a Shark CNC and it is one trouble after another
because we aremostly luddites and old dogs, we might be lucky to utilize 10% of either
they have easily paid for themselves , but like my first PC over 40yrs ago, all had to be retrieved from garbage cans

 

[Rick Hennen]

Bob, we have had several CNC routers and like you have only used about 10% of their capability. Carving 3D statues or frames is a breeze if it wasn't for the design time. Numerous times over the years I would come up with an idea and create a prototype. And then the marketing reality set in. Easy to create harder to sell. Now at this stage in my life the ideas still come but the prototypes never get made.

 

[Mike Labbe]

They have come WAY down in price, as most 3d printer companies also produce these as a side line.

I should probably be looking into getting one, too.

 

[Bob Carter]

at this stage in my life the ideas still come

LOL it's almost a hobby for me now, but something just keeps me thinking, scheming, dreaming...
came up with a killer idea late '24, created samples, bought wood and launch still feels far off
i need me 30yrs ago...

 

[Jleschak]

Thanks all