Just in case anyone is looking for the auctions I mentioned here are a couple. I did not find one in Canada but sure I saw one.

This one is $999 so far, auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/40W-Laser-Engraving-Machine-Laser-Engraver_W0QQitemZ150099277566QQcategoryZ46744QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is the $999 buy it now, but this one is in China for sure:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Desktop-Laser-Engraving-Engraver-Cutter-Machine-40W_W0QQitemZ220089679204QQcategoryZ46744QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

One other thing I am having problems with and that is repeat engraving.

You have to "output" the image which takes you to another screen then you either "output" or "again" if you have outputted already.

So the first time you engrave something you output, but if I start over and output over it engraves in a slightly different position. Using again is close but not sure if it is dead on each time. Part of the problem is placing the item to be engraved. No reference points.

I guess what I am saying is its repeatability isn't so good.

I will caution that I am still learning and these are while I am learning observations.

I just received some cermark spray (spray can).

I tried it on a brass tag bought from chewbarka. It turned out great. Really nice black black text. I was impressed with the cermark. Easy to apply, not much smell, easy to clean up. A little pricey at $63 with shipping.

I also tried a stainless steel tag and got the same impressions as the brass. I really like the look.

I used full power, which on this machine is about 20 turns of the adjustment pot. Speed was set to 1 in the software. What 1 translates to I don't have a clue.

At some point I will try different settings but for now this works!

The price I was quoted was $1k for the machine . Seems to at least work , so for that money it would make a real cheap way of dabbling. For a hobbyist , it sounds ideal.
I dunno if I would trust it in a commercial environment, but to bring in 1 is hardly a major expense. Give these machines a year or 2 and then Im pretty sure they wont be as rudimentary.
At the end of it all , I recon the big traditional makers should be running scared cos even at the limited utility and coarse software , the price is VERY VERY attractive , a 1200 x 600 model with an 80w tube was less than $4k , thats not big money at all and even if All I could do was cut , it's still a good buy.
I'd love to see some close ups of fine engraving from this machine and perhaps see how fast it works
Theres a local guy here who has imported one or 2 and is now an "agent" and is selling the $1k machine for $5k -(a total rip off) but he says the machine works well.
One of the sites advertising these machines have about a million pics of the innards etc , user manuals for software , user manuals for the machine , sample pics etc.
I cant find it now , but had DLed the manuals etc and albeit it wasnt the std we would expect from a $15k machine , it looked ok to me.
The only reason im not giving one of these machines a bash right now is cos I couldnt be bothered to fiddle with it for any length of time to get it running and integrated with the way we work.

Rodney,

I see two schools of thought:

1) Good way to (as you say) dabble in laser, at a minimal cost.

2) Good way to become frustrated with the inadequacies/quirks of the machine and scrap the idea of laser engraving altogether.

That's why I suspect it takes an extremely patient, analytical mind to deal with this type of machine.

As you say, it could become a matter of time, when the Chinese step up their efforts to make a more "mainstream" machine.

I am not sure I want to directly answer about the average person :).
These are my impressions as of now, they will change I am sure!

I would not recommend this machine to someone who regularly needs assistance with other types of machines.
If you can't figure out something on a computer or engraver and need to call your rep or support number then no.
Also if your the type that has to have absolutes, then no. If you need to know that the setting for anodized aluminum is; power 50% and speed 30, then this is not for you. The adjustments are a 20 turn potentiometer and a number 1-8 for speed. Even though the software allows speed settings of 0-99. Most of the numbers dont mean anything in my case.
I would not recommend this machine if you don't know what your going to engrave. It has limitations, a lot of them (as do all small lasers, I would think). If what your engraving fits on the table and you don't need more than 40 watts, then this might be the machine for you.

If your doing pet ID tags, name plates, rubber stamps and other small quantity jobs then yes I would recommend so far. I have not tried any wood.

There is some support for this machine by email but be prepared to wait for several days for an answer. And then the answer may come with another question, so you'll have to wait for another couple of days.

Steve

The machine I have can be bought for $800 plus shipping. Shipping can be $500.

I am going to post the company information here. I just have to be home to find it.

Steve

Ok, here is the website for the machine I bought.
I did not buy directly but I did inquire about price via email. They quoted $800 usd plus shipping.

http://www.yh114.cn/yinghebiz/index.asp

There is english button upper right hand.

The best chinese to english translator I have found is from google language tools. I use the chinese to english beta version that is listed. It works better than altavista/babelfish anyway.

Steve

I am still trying to figure out how to place objects on the table to engrave.

I am getting closer.

The laser moves out to a position when I click on output, but before I actually start engraving. The laser will move back to its home position and back out again to engrave, when I hit the Output button the second time.

It moves to the upper right hand corner of the page. In this case I have a page set up as 40mm x 40mm. The engraving is centered inside this box.

I am going to cut a 40mm x 40mm piece of plastic and engrave a mark on the center of this piece. I can then place it on the table when the laser comes out to the beginning position. I think this will help me visualize what is happening, then maybe I can really figure out how to place items.

The biggest problem is no type of reference points on the table. I have marked some points with tape. But I am thinking I will get some self adhesive rule material and stick it on both axis.

As far as I know now there is no way to pause the laser once it starts.
But I will have to double check! Pausing sure would be helpful.

I guess my point to the plastic plate cut to 40mm is so I don't have to engrave something first. I want to be able to place an item on the table and engrave it right the first time.
Right now I will engrave a piece of acrylic first, then place the item on top of that spot. I want to eliminate that step altogether.

The grid would only help if I actually engrave the table with it, is that what your suggesting? Not a bad idea really, except a large part of the table is open. The table is not solid, there is a spring clamping device built in.

Steve

I keep getting errors when I run the spell checker. Please forgive any spelling mistakes!! :)

The software page can change with each item. I use a page that is 40mm x 40mm for pet tags. But if I am making something larger then I might make the page 100mm x 100mm. There is no set page size, page size becomes the table. There is no set table size in this software. The software is not just for this laser and not customized for this lasers table.
Now, should I figure out the table size and make that my page size always? Probably! I started to do that, but then the spec's give me a max engraving size that does not match the table size. Plus the larger page size makes it harder to see the object. There does not appear to be a way to zoom up on the small item on the large page.
Also the clamping device sits in the middle of the table, and it does not hold the item centered on the table but closer to the right edge of the table.
I am spending some time this weekend trying to figure out the table and the software. There has to be ways to change and edit stuff.

Steve

If there is a jig or frame it has not been offered to me.

The clamp is poorly designed, the springs don't even allow the clamping bar to go all the way to the end of the opening. So you only have about 75% of the opening that can be used.

I am going to write the company I bought this from and see if they can answer the general question of how to use this clamp.

But your idea of making a plate that stays clamped in place is something I will give some thought to.

Steve

Don't know if it's Chinese, but if so, could this bring their equipment a step closer to gaining widespread credibillity?

A person on Sawmill Creek pointed to this site.

http://a4dableww.com/500short.htm

Hey Dave,

Sorry to beat this old dead horse, but I'm just now getting caught up on the forum. This is a Chinese machine, built by the direct competition of the company I bought from. I checked both of them out before buying. I suppose it is my duty to give you all the in-depth treatment of my machine... I suspect it will be time consuming, but as a thank you to all who have helped me I will do it! I'll start a new tread in the next few days.

Oh, buy the way I have it on good authority that a company from the good ol' US of A is getting ready to enter the laser engraver market -- it sounds like the bridge between cheap Chinese and expensive main stream may be upon us. I don't want to step on any toes, so I'm not saying anything else about it yet.

Ron