Need Laser Advice...

[Arnold]

Hello, I have not turned a pen in over ten years and just now getting back into the hobby,,,,I am looking for laser advice...What would be a good power range just for pens? Which lasers should I be looking at? I would like to keep laser and rotary under $500.....Thank you...

 

[Jim Campbell]

A lot of folks go with the NEJE lasers. I have two.

The original is a 1500, which is fine for pen barrels. The problem is finding the rotary adapter for the 1500. It's small. Restricted to a 1 5/8" square area. The 1500 is usually around $100-$150.

The other NEJE I have is the 3500 watt. It is the general go-to for engraving. It will engrave up to a 6" area. There is a rotary adapter for it. The adapter is usually in high demand. The 3500 can be upgraded to a 20 watt, but if you are engraving and not cutting, you wont need the 20 watt. The 3500 is usually around $200-$280.

In either case if your buying one used make sure it's the Master 2S. The older version of software is no longer really supported. I bought my 3500 used. Is wasn't the Master 2S. The upgrade ended up costing me $125 or so, since the laser head for the older series 3500 will not work with the newer Master 2S series.

 

[Arnold]

A lot of folks go with the NEJE lasers. I have two.

The original is a 1500, which is fine for pen barrels. The problem is finding the rotary adapter for the 1500. It's small. Restricted to a 1 5/8" square area. The 1500 is usually around $100-$150.

The other NEJE I have is the 3500 watt. It is the general go-to for engraving. It will engrave up to a 6" area. There is a rotary adapter for it. The adapter is usually in high demand. The 3500 can be upgraded to a 20 watt, but if you are engraving and not cutting, you wont need the 20 watt. The 3500 is usually around $200-$280.

In either case if your buying one used make sure it's the Master 2S. The older version of software is no longer really supported. I bought my 3500 used. Is wasn't the Master 2S. The upgrade ended up costing me $125 or so, since the laser head for the older series 3500 will not work with the newer Master 2S series.

Thanks Jim, you have been very helpful...

 

[SteveJ]

I've got a 15w Ortur which is similar to a Neje. It will serve you well and with a rotary will run less that $500. The Neje probably has better stateside support if you buy from Nancy (sorry,I don't remember her website). That said, depending on your ability and interest in tinkering you could get a get a cheap CO2 laser and rotary which would have far greater capacity if you want to expand to more intense engraving or cutting.

 

[Arnold]

I've got a 15w Ortur which is similar to a Neje. It will serve you well and with a rotary will run less that $500. The Neje probably has better stateside support if you buy from Nancy (sorry,I don't remember her website). That said, depending on your ability and interest in tinkering you could get a get a cheap CO2 laser and rotary which would have far greater capacity if you want to expand to more intense engraving or cutting.

Thanks for the reply Steve, I was planning on buying from Nancy once I decide on which laser I want...