[steve mundane]

Hi everyone, I am new to laser cutting. I currently buy a lot of laser cut shapes from several suppliers. I want to start cutting my own shapes.

I need a low maintenance good quality machine. It seems that the trotecs nd epilogs are the way to go.
BUT there are so many Chinese machines and users who are buying them I can't help feel I might be able to get a cheaper machine and have it do what I need.

I need the machine to cut mostly 3mm plywood, but it would need to cope with operation 5-8 hours a day.

I feel that if I went for a trotec I am paying so much more, is it really worth th extra? Will a cheaper machine like a Hpc laser for example really be so much high maintenance and lower quality?

Any help and advice most appreciated. I am totally overwhelmed by the number of different machine makers out there.

Many thanks
Steve :-)

[stekke_stim]

What cutting size would you need?

[DavenUK]

As a HPC 3060 user I would say they worth looking into. Look at the running costs as well

Best

Dave

[steve mundane]

Hi, thanks for your comments. I would say I need a bed of at least 600 x 300.
Dave, so what do you use your 3060 for? How much daily use does it get?
Would you say it could handle 6 hours a day, everyday?
Is there much set up and maintenance.
What I am worried about with the cheaper machines is that whilst I am pretty good with technology and hands kind of guy, I am also really busy running my business. I just dont have time to be under a laser machine setting it up and tweaking it all the time. I really do need a mchine that has minimal input other than actually using it to cut.
However I am trying to get a handle on just how different cheaper machines are compared to the more expensive ones. If a HPC needs a tweak every now and again but saves me £10-15k compared to a Trotec then that is ok. But if you need to be very technical and be able to dismantle and rebuild a HPC in order to get reliable and serious use from it, then that is not an option.

I would be really interested to hear what your experiences are with cheaper machines. Are most users of cheaper machines tech-heads? :-)

Thanks for any help you can offer.
Steve :-)

[DavenUK]

Hi Steve,

I use my 3060 for about 7-8 hours at the moment, I have not had it long after upgrading from the smaller 3020. I mainly cut and engrave Perspex and 3mm ply on it.

I use an aquarium chiller which keeps it cool enough to run 24/7 to be honest.

HPC set the machine up for me although it is not that difficult - I would recommend booking some time for training if you are new to laser machines and need to be up and running quite quick.

Maintenance is no worse than any machine IMO - keep it clean, change the water every few months and check the alignment (not as bad as it sounds). I have not used any other manufacturer so I can't fairly compare but a customer of mine had some cutting done by someone with a RF tubed laser and it was certainly no better in fact they preferred mine (that could have been down to cost though ;-)).

I'm no tech head but can do basic stuff like build a PC and bit of car DIY, thats more than you need to look after a laser - unless you want to start tinkering with it ;-)

I would look at the purchase cost against the predicted saving plus profit you will get. How long is it going to be for either machine to pay for itself? I suspect the cheaper chinese laser even if you do have to replace a tube or two.

I have no connection with HPC other than being a satisfied customer and helping out on their forums by the way ;-)

If you want to chat about it PM me your email.

Cheers

Dave

[Exsecratio]

Buying A Laser?

Just some thoughts, In all honesty I can't recommend getting a western made machine. 6 years ago I was in the same position and now after owning 2 Japanese made and 3 Chinese made machines I'd never even consider buying western made.

best wishes

Dave

[steve mundane]

Thanks for your feedback and advice. I think I will see if I can go over to Halifax and see the hpc guys and have a play with a machine or two.

I am going to look at the trotecs in a couple of weeks ontheir tour near Preston. I can then get a better feel for e comparison.

There is a massive 12k difference on the comparable machines and that doesn't include any extras. So, if I can do the work indeed to do with the hpc machine or similar then that would be fantastic.

I am drawn to the hpc as they seem to offer good support and they are only 1.5 hours away from me.

I may well PM you Dave once I have had a look at the machines, if that's ok, as I am sure I will have loads of questions. Thanks.

I will report back too once I have seen them just in case the info is any help to others.
Steve :-)

[Exsecratio]

Hiya Steve,

Dave's a good guy if you get stuck drop me a line on [email protected] or 07429 149371 between us we can usually advise if you are being hoodwinked by a dealer

Most of the time with lasers it's not what they do tell you, it's the stuff they miss out such as maintenance costs etc

best wishes

Dave (the other one)

[epilotdk]

For what you pay for a Western brand laser you can buy two Chinese machines from a UK importer/dealer or import four (!) yourself from China and still have money left over for a spare tube. I've just ordered my 4th machine from China. I need a second, bigger laser to keep up with demand. At the moment my LG3040 from G.Weike is running 8-12 hours a day without problems.

[Hurricane21]

Steve,

Please consider a Hurricane Laser.
Lasers - Products

We combine the expertise of Gweike as our manufacturer and provide outstanding support and service via, skype, phone and email.

Thank you and let me know if you have any questions.

John

[Exsecratio]

Steve,

Please consider a Hurricane Laser.
Lasers - Products - Cartoons

We combine the expertise of Gweike as our manufacturer and provide outstanding support and service via, skype, phone and email.

Thank you and let me know if you have any questions.

John

Steve = Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Uk

Phonecalls from America to the UK are quite expensive I understand?

regards

Dave

[RossMosh]

I can't speak of what it's like being in the UK and dealing with any of the companies in the US, but if you evaluate the machines and software, the western machines are simply superior. Trotec engraves at a max of about 3000mm/s. Universal and Epilog also engrave at about 2000mm/s. Compared to your typical Chinese machine which engraves at about 400-500mm/s. That's a significant difference. The software/drivers are simply better as well.

The big talking point is price vs quality. You're talking about a significantly more expensive machine with more expensive replacement parts. When you start talking about the larger Chinese machines, you can easily buy 3+ machines for the price of one western machine. Now that's not practical for most people as a lot of people don't have room for 3-5 lasers but it's still a point to make.

For me, when you're talking about cutting and not engraving, the Chinese machines are clearly the better value. I wouldn't trust a Chinese machine to cut precision parts but for most everything else, it should do a fine job. The fact you can get a huge table with a 90-120W tube for so cheap will really pay off. If you're looking to do a lot of raster engraving, the Western machines become better and better values. 4-6x slower is not an insignificant figure. On certain materials the extra cheap power from a Chinese machine can bridge the gap but on plywood or acrylic, I don't see that really being a huge factor except when you start talking about cutting.

It's not an easy decision but if I were in your shoes, I'd buy directly from China and use the money you saved from buying from a local retailer and invest it in spare parts (tube, mirrors, lenses, stepper motors, belts, stepper drivers, and the control board will all add up to a bit of money but could save you in the future).

[epilotdk]

Buying direct from G. Weike has been trouble free for me and when I had a display develop a fault they sent a replacement with courier so I had it 3 days later. Some of the UK dealer prices are just plain silly unless they include 24/7 on-site support (which I much doubt).