laser engraving

[JCochrun]

Does anyone here own a laser engraver? What recommendations are there for any particular brand/type of engraver? I'm looking to do more than just pens. I would like to be able to make a variety of items and be able to engrave them.

Jim

 

[68plymouth]

I did a lot of research and bought an Epilog.

 

[Jamie Fowler]

You can't go wrong with an Epilog. I love mine, and the folks that provide the customer support are amazing. I have the rotary attachment with it for engraving pen bodies and almost everything else.

 

[76winger]

Wow, lets see: How many pen sales will it take to cover that... I got some work to do!

 

[Rob73]

I've wanted a laser for many years -- when i was doing research one of the best sources I found was sawmillcreek forums. Lots of laser engraver guys over there. I like 68plymouth, ended up deciding on an epilog. I just never went through with the purchase ;(

 

[JCochrun]

For those that got an Epilog, which version did you get? If you don't mind me asking, what was the ballpark price? All I have gotten so far is that the range is 8k-40K, depending on model and attachments.

Jim

 

[wpenm]

I bought the Epilog Helix 35 Watt engraver. I have never had any problems with it. If you were closer, you could take a look. Since I am retired now, I would sell it to you for $12,000. I aso have a 4" lense for it along with the dust colecter.

 

[jedgerton]

Ditto on Epilog. I just bought a used one and I'm learning the ropes. Epilog is first rate all the way from hardware to software to support.

John

 

[RSidetrack]

Epilog is a great engraver, but you are talking about $$,$$$. A buddy of mine got one of those cheap knock off engravers, $2000. It is okay, does it's job, but the software is limited. Most of these engravers and such you are paying for the software more than anything. Some of the advanced features are nice but not required. My buddies works for pens, but again, limited, he has no way to put on an attachment that rotates to give an even engraving, so if it is something like tall letters, the tops and bottoms are only slightly deep while the center is perfect.

Unless you sell tons of pens or are swimming in cash, it might be worth sending it to an engraver. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Shock me]

+1 on Epilog.
Have a Mini 40 watt, 24"x12" bed. Certainly more than enough for pens. Depending on what else you are looking to do, be aware that although you can mark metal, you wont have nearly enough power to engrave the metal, save for the surface coat of an anodized aluminum.

 

[woodgraver]

I have an Epilog Helix 50W with a 24X18 bed. The only software I need to run it is Corel Draw X3 ($99 on ebay). Many of the Chinese brands require you to have a 40F water bath to keep the CO2 Laser Tube cooled, Epilog uses fans to accomplish this. They are quality, American made machines, with a correspondingly high price point, but I have no regrets with my purchase. I'd say think long and hard about what you will want to "cut" using the laser and how big you may want to engrave. This will tell you what wattage and size of bed you can go for. I would not have been happy with a lower powered or smaller bed machine for what I want to do.