Would like a good engraver glass, wood, oolymers and possibly metal. Will be doing stippling in grips, mag designs and possibly metal. 2-4k range would eventually like to be able to add a spindle rotator for cylindrical objects.

We have an Epilog at work. It does a great job, but I have no idea what their price range is. Due to its capabilities, it seems like it may be out of your price range.

https://www.epiloglaser.com/laser-engraving/

It can have a rotator attachment installed for cylindrical objects. We use CorelDraw to upload files to it. The range of our unit can do everything up to metal, but the next unit up can do it.

I don't think 2-4K will do metal. I looked into it a couple years ago.

You will need a CO2 laser for the wood and glass. 30W Diode laser for the plastic grips and light metal work, 50+W for any real metal cutting or deep engraving.
I don't know about the CO2 lasers, but for the diode laser you really need to look at close to $10k to get something usable. San Antonio Laser has a good package including instruction. You can get a cheaper laser, but it takes alot of trial and error to get proficient and the training is very helpful.

I have a CO2 laser made by Full Spectrum Laser, it has a 12x20 engraving area with a 45W tube. From what I can tell most, if not all, lower end lasers are made in China and cobbled together by different companies in the US.

When I ordered mine I got the rotary attachment that allows us to engrave round objects such as sport drink cups, glass and in our case cremation urns. The laser with the 45W tube will cut 1/8" wood in one pass and 1/4" in two passes.

The software is very good and you can even curve text with it. The standard lens has a 2" focal length, with optional lenses up to 4" meaning if you were engraving the bottom of wood bowl you would need the 4" lens, the laser has to have room to move back and forth to engrave and would hit the sides of the bowl if focused to low.

Support is my biggest issue, call them and plan on being on hold for a while. Alternatively you can create a support ticket and within a day or so you will get a reply. That sucks if you are in the middle of a job and something happens.

The laser can engrave amazingly fine detail with the standard lens. You can control the power, current and speed of the laser with simple sliders.
The company has downloads to play with to get accustomed to how the laser reacts to different mediums, most of my work is done as .pdf files although the software will accept .jpg's as well as .gif's

The semi bad news? I paid $6,000 at the front door. !!

If you have questions my email is my profile.


This disc is only 2" in diameter!

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