Laser Cutters

bigdad1975 · Apr 16, 2012, 09:02 PM

This might not be the right forum if not let me know (NOOB)

. I am looking into buying a Laser engraver/cutter. does anyone have any experience with any. any tips, etc? I want to use it to cut balsa and light ply. the other question is would a cnc router work better?

thanks for any help or insight..

Chad Veich · Apr 16, 2012, 10:12 PM

While both machines have their advantages I think the laser is more verstatile than the CNC router for the vast majority of what we do with model airplanes. I have been using a laser cutter for 10+ years now and I don't think I could go back to cutting out parts with a scroll saw / band saw/ router. They will spoil you very quickly. While I'm certainly no expert I would be happy to answer any questions you might have to the best of my ability.

bigdad1975 · Apr 16, 2012, 11:29 PM

I am looking for suggestions on laser cutters. like brands and overall what has worked for people. it's not a cheap investment and I fiqured I would try and find out from people with real world use

Chad Veich · Apr 17, 2012, 01:54 PM

Bigdad,

The only machine I have used extensively is the Universal X660. Universal lasers are tremendous machines with fantastic customer support but they are also very expensive. I have also used a Pinnacle laser on a very limited basis and it is pretty much identical in operation to the Universal. The Pinnacle belongs to a friend of mine who has had it for about 7 years with no issues whatsoever. I am currently in the market for a laser myself and I think I have settled on purchasing from a rather new company called Hurricane Lasers. I spoke with the owner of the company yesterday and was very impressed. There is not a lot of information out there in regards to Hurricane as they have only been around since about the middle of last year but I am hearing good things and based upon how much machine I can get for the price I'm pretty sure I'm ready to risk it!

A great place to do some research on lasers is at www.cnczone.com. Some very helpfull and knowledgeable folks in the forums there.

Good luck!

bigdad1975 · Apr 18, 2012, 07:48 AM

I have been looking into Epilog as well.

any way I go it's an investment and just a cool toy haha..

Apr 16, 2012, 09:02 PM	#1
bigdad1975 Registered User United States, TX, Cypress Joined Aug 2011 68 Posts	Laser Cutters This might not be the right forum if not let me know (NOOB). I am looking into buying a Laser engraver/cutter. does anyone have any experience with any. any tips, etc? I want to use it to cut balsa and light ply. the other question is would a cnc router work better? thanks for any help or insight..

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Apr 16, 2012, 10:12 PM	#2
Chad Veich Scale Builder United States, AZ, Litchfield Park Joined Jul 2002 1,887 Posts	While both machines have their advantages I think the laser is more verstatile than the CNC router for the vast majority of what we do with model airplanes. I have been using a laser cutter for 10+ years now and I don't think I could go back to cutting out parts with a scroll saw / band saw/ router. They will spoil you very quickly. While I'm certainly no expert I would be happy to answer any questions you might have to the best of my ability.

Apr 16, 2012, 11:29 PM	#3
bigdad1975 Registered User United States, TX, Cypress Joined Aug 2011 68 Posts	I am looking for suggestions on laser cutters. like brands and overall what has worked for people. it's not a cheap investment and I fiqured I would try and find out from people with real world use

Apr 17, 2012, 01:54 PM	#4
Chad Veich Scale Builder United States, AZ, Litchfield Park Joined Jul 2002 1,887 Posts	Bigdad, The only machine I have used extensively is the Universal X660. Universal lasers are tremendous machines with fantastic customer support but they are also very expensive. I have also used a Pinnacle laser on a very limited basis and it is pretty much identical in operation to the Universal. The Pinnacle belongs to a friend of mine who has had it for about 7 years with no issues whatsoever. I am currently in the market for a laser myself and I think I have settled on purchasing from a rather new company called Hurricane Lasers. I spoke with the owner of the company yesterday and was very impressed. There is not a lot of information out there in regards to Hurricane as they have only been around since about the middle of last year but I am hearing good things and based upon how much machine I can get for the price I'm pretty sure I'm ready to risk it! A great place to do some research on lasers is at www.cnczone.com. Some very helpfull and knowledgeable folks in the forums there. Good luck!

Apr 18, 2012, 07:48 AM	#5
bigdad1975 Registered User United States, TX, Cypress Joined Aug 2011 68 Posts	I have been looking into Epilog as well. any way I go it's an investment and just a cool toy haha..