Full Version: Should I Buy 25W Laser Engraver?
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#1]
20 Feb 2007
To: ALL
Hello All,
Would it be a mistake to buy a refurbished 25W 12"x24" Laser Engraver? Just wondering if this would make a good starter machine, or would the lower power not be worth it as compared to a new Epilog 12x24 mini 35W. The price difference is a lot.
Don
EDITED: 20 Feb 2007 by DGL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
20 Feb 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#1] 20 Feb 2007
For general purposes 25W is fine, however if you envision marking items with Cermark, you'll want more power.
I think 40W is the common wisdom.
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#3]
20 Feb 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#1] 20 Feb 2007
It really depends on what your list of materials and processes is going to be.
It would be enough to engrave most things, but not to cut thicker things. It might be enough to mark some kinds of metals with Cermark, but not others.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#4]
20 Feb 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#1] 20 Feb 2007
From: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#5]
20 Feb 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#1] 20 Feb 2007
There is one very important thing to keep in mind. How old and what brand of laser tube is on the system?
If it is a synrad and 10 years old PASS on it you will not be able to get the laser tube serviced any longer.
Any system that uses the synrad laser tube that has a MFG date on the tube that is 10 years old will not be serviced or repaired by synrad any longer.
This was sent to us last month and the only option that laser owners have once the laser tubes need service is to purchase new tubes!!!
There are some coherent models that have the same issues.
Laser owners beware each year that goes by means that the tube in your system may not be able to be repaired.
From: logojohn [#6]
20 Feb 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#1] 20 Feb 2007
Does the manufacturer release new updates for Windows98, XP and now Vista or will you be using and old one for a long time if you can keep finding computers old enough that will work with it.
25 watt is more than adequate for just raster marking most items. If you are going to cut a lot or raster laser wood more power would help a lot.
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#7]
20 Feb 2007
To: ALL
Thank you all for the great information. It has really helped me in my decision making.
I'm off to Vegas to atend the Trade show armed with more information than I had yesterday.
This Is A Greatttttt!!!!! Forum!!!!!
Don
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
11 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#7] 11 Mar 2007
Time's up!
Tell the folks what machine you bought at the ARA Show. :-)
When are you supposed to receive it?
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#9]
11 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8] 11 Mar 2007
Hi David,
Nice to hear from you. I really enjoyed meeting with you, and had a great time at the show and at the Beach Party. Met some really great folks.
As for which Engraver I bought..... Here Goes.....
After coming very, very, close to purchasing a Rotary Engraver, the learning curve fears finally got the best of me, and I ended up purchasing an Epilog 24" x 12" Mini 45W system including a rotary attachment and floor stand. The machine is scheduled for delivery the week of March 19th.
When I arrived at the show I was on the fence and could have gone either way (Rotary or Laser). I was so impressed with all the Engravers I looked at, but finally I figured that my experience is with Wide Format Printers, and Laser Engravers are somewhat similar to wide format printers, so in the end I felt that my learning curve would be less with the Laser Engraver.
I met with a tech at New-Hermes and asked him about my New Hermes IS400 with the Dongle problem that I had written about in another post and he helped me get set up with a New-Hermes account and told me he would help get the IS400 up and running again. I phoned him earlier this week and left a message but haven't heard back from him yet.
While at the Gravostyle/New Hermes booth, myself and my wife looked at a micro-engraver that they just came out with. I don't recall the actual model number, but my wife just fell in love with it. They were demonstrating engraved leather bracelets and tags. You could either plug it into a computer via usb, or you could use the PDA and Stylus that came with it. My wife wanted me to buy it and rent a booth at the Prescott Town Square during the Rodeo days in July, and also set-up at the many events we have here during the Spring, Summer, & Fall. I felt the machine was a little pricey for what it was, (but I was real tempted)It sure was cute, and it looked like it could produce some profitable income. My store doesn't get a whole lot of gift type traffic, but if I could figure a way to bring in the kids, I would be very tempted to hire a high school student or College student, teach them to operate the little engraver, and give it a go.
I'm sure I'll be spending the next year or so reading all the posts I can here at Engravingetc. as I try to learn the Engraving business.
Don
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#10]
11 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#9] 11 Mar 2007
Don,
I saw that engraver also........and well.......one thing led to another ...and I will soon be the proud owner of a Vision engraver.
I think you made a wise choice on your laser by the way.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11]
11 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#9] 11 Mar 2007
Do not plan on the leather bracelets soon. We ordered them at the show and recently called to find out what happened to the shipment.
They are not even assigned a part number yet and we were told by customer service that it might take months for them to be available. Very unlike Gravograph/New Hermes.
I have not found the equivalent on the internet, so if anyone has a place that could make them, I would be interested.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
11 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#9] 11 Mar 2007
It was nice to meet you and your wife as well. Glad you could get in on the great time we had in Vegas.
With access to the Gravograph IS400 and considering you have an Epilog 45 watt laser on its way, it sounds as though you'll have the best of both worlds.
Gravograph does advertise a short learning curve for their small footprint machines, but learning the basics of any rotary/drag system isn't too steep a curve.
Next time I visit my friends, in Prescott Valley, I'll make a point of contacting you.
Good luck and be sure to let us in on your engraving success stories. :-)
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#13]
11 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#10] 11 Mar 2007
Hey Chuck,
I was sitting at the table nearest you with Buzz and his wife at the Beach Party. I loved your routine, (or is that your normal self?) either way, I thought you were great!!! very good M.C. and excellent entertainer.... You had me laughing while I trying to eat dinner.... (and that ain't easy).
Anyway, I came so close to buying one of those Little New-Hermes Engravers. (Now I remember, the model number is M20). I can't find any mention of them here in the U.S.A. I took a look at the New-Hermes site in the U.K. and they have them there. When I first got back from the show, New Hermes had the floor and counter displays with the leather bracelets and a bunch of other goodies on their U.S. Website with some prices. But now they have disapeared... My wife and I are seriously considering buying one of those little guys. We were thinking that with it, and some of the Corel templates from Laserbuzz, that we would give the local Rodeo's, Fairs, etc. around here a try. Sort of a weekend paid hobby thing to see what happens.
I'm not familiar with Vison engravers. What model did you buy? I'd like to take a look at it.
Don
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#14]
11 Mar 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#11] 11 Mar 2007
That's disapointing to hear Harvey-Only. I made a decision today to get one of those, but with no bracelets available, that changes my plans. Did they give you any other information at Gravograph/New Hermes? Are the little engravers available in this Country? There is no mention of them on their U.S. website.
Any info you could share with me would be a big help and appreciated.
Thanks for your Post.
Don
From: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#15]
11 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12] 11 Mar 2007
David,
Please make a point of contacting me. That would be fun. If you have any extra time, please stop by my Store. Maybe we could have lunch or a cup of coffee. I'm less than a half-hour from Prescott Valley.
Don
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#16]
11 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#14] 11 Mar 2007
Your best bet would to call 800-8 HERMES and ask to talk to a sales rep about the machine. The website could be a little behind the times.
In the past when they introduced a machine it was available, possibly limited numbers at first if they underestimated the demand, but available.
The bracelets are the first time I ever encountered a not available yet scenario with them.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17]
11 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#13] 11 Mar 2007
Don,
Thank you for your kind words.
I bought the Vision Max Pro. www.visionengravers.com
They have several other smaller table top designs that rival Gravograph/New Hermes. Those are the ones actually that go this whole thing started....then of course I enlist David L and he starts jonesing for he machine...then Harvey and Dee comes over to see it.... ( I cannot repeat what Dee said publicly) { insert laugh here}.....and the next thing you know....I'm thinking about it.
Took about a week to make the final decsion, but I'm glad I did.
Thank you again for your kind words.
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#18]
11 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#14] 11 Mar 2007
Don,
I have sent an email to one of the higher ups at New Hermes asking for a clarification on the status of the bracelets. I will let you know when I hear something.
Dee (Harvey's wife)
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#19]
11 Mar 2007
To: Don (HIGHDESERT) [#13] 11 Mar 2007
Don, before you jump into the gravograph machine, take a look at the vision 812 or 1624. I believe forum member Peter Vasic has a 1624, and he love ist.
The vision was just a tad more, but it seemed more versatile and the engraving area was twice as large for not a whole heck of a lot more money.
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#20]
11 Mar 2007
To: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#18] 11 Mar 2007
Dee -
Please do let us know....Janna really wants us to get the small display ($200 or so) as a trial.
If they can't deliver them within a few days, that's a definite deal-killer.
Cody
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