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  1. #21
    Member ger21's Avatar
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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Needless to say, a good ventilation system is a must on a laser.
    Yes, but the GLowforge promotinal videos show it being used on a kitchen table, with no ventilation. As if it were an inkjet printer.

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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    just out of interest I see they have both air assist and purge air for the lenses now (plus intake and exhaust air): Air assist and flame reduction - Glowforge Owners Forum

    I believe the normal model has a port for you to stick a hose in and stick it out a window (take that, nature!) and then there's that optional charcoal and hepa filter doohickey that means you theoretically don't need to vent it although they don't seem to be able to say how long that will last or exactly how much replacement filters will cost. So yeah.

    I also saw that the "Pro" model has some pretty must have features - a pass through function for "infinite" length material, a more powerful laser with better optics and crucially for me - better solid state thermoelectric cooling.

    I think it's pretty interesting, mainly for my girlfriend who is currently enjoying her silhouette cutting machine for making various arts and crafts - this is an ideal step up given the focus on making it user friendly (and for that matter desk friendly).

    My only real concern after reading up on it all is the cloud based functionality. If their service is down, then so is your glowforge... if the company vanishes in a year or two (or should that be month or two?), your glowforge is rendered next to useless.... I saw one video where the boss chap mentioned they had a "back up" plan using open source firmware which basically turns the glowforge into a somewhat expensive simple g-code following laser cutter... far from ideal really.

    Balancing it all up, I decided to just go for it and stick in a preorder for one for the missus at the discounted price. Hopefully it will be great for her and maybe i'll get to use it occasionally! Now I just hope it turns up....



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Most of the reviews I have read on Reddit have not been flattering to say the least.

    It seems the Glow Forge has put their focus on marketing and everything else has taken a backseat. As mentioned itt, the reviews from World Maker faire all revolved around the machines not working as advertised or not working entirely.

    IMO when I read they were branding a laser plotter as a laser 3d printer I immediately became skeptical. I read a quote by the CEO (in response to a technical question) that they were not targeting sophisticated makers, but instead non tech savvy consumers. That's all I needed to know. Having said that it seems like a decent machine for 2k (50% pre order price) if it is even close to operating as advertised.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Hi all, notice this thread has not been updated since late 2015.


    I'm a complete and utter noob - never owned or even used a laser cutter before.

    I plan to make cool glowy things out of plexiglass, LEDs, microcontrollers, electrons and computation.



    I am looking at pre-ordering a Glowforge Pro + Air Filter, at the price today of:


    Glowforge Pro + Air Filter $5,995.00


    Glowforge Basic + Air Filter $3,745.00

    Glowforge Basic $2,995.00




    The delivery date is March 2017 (actually, glowforge's site says 4 months, from today)

    What are peoples thoughts about this machine, the two long delays, the skepticism around the product?

    Do y'a ll think this is a good buy?



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    It's vaporware at this point. I've been banned from their Facebook page for asking too many questions regarding shipping and comparing their models to units that already have what Glowforge features. Their social media page just features junk you can make with any laser engraver/cutter that doesn't require an internet connection.

    They had originally planned to ship over a year ago. Not one has shipped thus far. They've amassed close to $30,000,000 and have N O T H I N G

    You could buy close to 2,000 Epilogs with that.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    I canceled my order a few months ago and went with a Chinese laser that was double the size. It was also cheaper, and I had it in less then a week from purchase.

    My reasons for canceling -
    - To many delays, I ordered on day 1, and at that time they gave the impression that units would be shipping in December. So at the time I had a glimmer of hope that I would have it by Christmas last year.
    - Wifi only, they claimed it was to late to change the mold shortly after the preorder was completed. So they could not even add a Ethernet port, which the prototypes had?
    - They still to this day have yet to show that they can actually cut a part on side 1, flip it over, and line up the cuts perfectly. To me this was a big selling point.
    - No cooling on the basic, and locked down so you can not add one your self.
    - Very short warranty, if I remember right the basic was 3 months while the pro was 6. They might have been double that, either way I was not happy with that.
    - 12x20 work area, meaning every piece of stock you buy will need 4 inches trimmed off one end.
    - Very limtied Z travel/range.
    - The stupid graphics around the start button are not aligned with the start button!!!! It was like this from day one, and even after all of their delays they could not fix this?
    - No plans to add basic cad/geometry/text functions to their cutting software. So if you scan a image and want a perfect circle cut around it, you will have to do that using other software first.
    - And my last issue was with the way Dan would not talk about several topics. And hold back details on all of the delays. I know that its hard to put a timeline on a problem. But if you are having problems that you can not fix in a weeks time, let the backers know.

    My Chinese laser has been great so far, and I can tweak various settings with the supplied software. I feel like this machine will have better parts support in the long term as well. So unless you need someone to hold your hand with a laser cutter, I would look at other machines.

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  7. #27
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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    I'm one of those that pre-ordered a Pro+filter unit a year ago last October and have been following the GF forum since then. I can't say if it would be a good buy with any authority as I've no laser experience at all but it could be a pretty good turnkey unit for the money. You might also check out Full Spectrum's new Muse laser which is supposed to be released this month with some similar features. GF is supposed to make an official statement by the end of this month regarding shipping status, but as things stand now, all of the pre-orders as of October 2015 are supposed to ship by 12/31 this year and any orders since then are to ship *by* March 31, 2017.

    They now have something like 10 or 12 beta units in the field, all around Seattle and those testers have been periodically posting pictures of their projects in the GF forum so at least the product seems to have basic functionality, but some of the more advanced software features are still being tweaked. The pass-through on the Pro is limited[*] to 1/4-in or 1/2-in thick material (I forget which) and the Air Filter is apparently not ready yet and will ship some time in 2016. They planned to ship a larger group of beta or production printers out in late November or early December, and rumor has it these will be shipped to areas outside Seattle to check for issues with shipping. They've also announced that the units are being built here in the States, which might be good for factory maintenance or spare supply.

    I'd wait for the GF announcement next week to decide on a purchase and see what that reveals. The week or so delay in deciding shouldn't make much difference in when you receive the cutter/engraver and you'll be able to make a more informed decision. FWIW, they've been refunding purchase price for any pre-order buyers that got tired of waiting and want out and have said that buyers can do that until they get the shipping email. I don't know if that policy applies to people that buy today so check with GF if that is important to you.
    [*] Several buyers have already stated their intention to hack the bottom of the GF to allow for pass-through of thicker material though it is not clear how difficult or feasible that will be.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    seriously people you still don't get it , delays delays and more delays. this laser is a toy at real laser cost, you can have a real laser bigger ,better and lots more power in a week or less, yet you waste almost 2 years waiting for a toy that you will be disappointed with. unbeliveable



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeC8 View Post
    I ordered one...
    MikeC8, I am 100% sure you did throw your money out.

    CNC lasers, constructions, service


  10. #30
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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    If they are still beta testing that is a Red flag, over a years delay red flag, not answering simple questions red flag, kicking members of a facebook group for asking questions. They don't know there product.

    you can make a laser for next to nothing, it's not rock sciences.

    get your money back.

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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    I think they spent all of their money on marketing. They'll have to crowd fund again to afford production.

    I know with crowd funding, you're essentially funding an idea with hopes that they have experience with manufacturing and can deliver. You're seeing everything behind the scenes from inception to production rather than a company that just releases a product that they spent years perfecting and fabricating.

    I hope that most of the users who are buying them realize that you can't just start the job and walk away...especially if they have these sitting somewhere in their home. All that plastic will go up in flames very, very quickly.



  12. #32
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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    OK, so what laser cutter have those of you with the strong negative opinions on Glowforge bought and what did it cost? Are you comparing the Glowforge to the Chinese imports or to name brands like Full Spectrum, Universal Laser and Epilog?

    I'm not sure why folks are so bent out of shape with how others spend their money.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelHenry View Post
    I'm not sure why folks are so bent out of shape with how others spend their money.
    I suspect the resentment is less about how others spend their money and much more about how these shysters are getting people to throw that money at them when there's no product, no sign of a product, and the product they're promising is very, very expensive for what it does compared to cheap commercial units.

    Couple of epilogs at work that have just done their thing, been great machines.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    dharmic that's correct, the beta should have finished before they started the kickstarter.

    <img src="https://ivxo1q-dm2305.files.1drv.com/y4mENMmTr_Cabc7pR0FUdB6gtbADq2JbuG4_rGy0eBQvLJx19pTi6TqMUIJN0xgOyDIc0gWoxYhS38HpbSTFGdfaK-o42IOU6jczrhDpfpCOTNGL1X6hvZCbgj0y35gqmq1YGTrWwShYGV-C7lXA2esy0Pi_WfnBSyroDLSGXwce4uSr1U7op7srdi78rispHCa_K4aFlTlJPVkkNWMfgh_Tg?width=60&height=60&cropmode=none" width="60" height="60" />

    Being Disabled is OK CNC is For fuN


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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelHenry View Post
    OK, so what laser cutter have those of you with the strong negative opinions on Glowforge bought and what did it cost? Are you comparing the Glowforge to the Chinese imports or to name brands like Full Spectrum, Universal Laser and Epilog?

    I'm not sure why folks are so bent out of shape with how others spend their money.

    I've started with a K40 ($291) and have purchased a AWC708C plus ($415) and three Gecko Drive G201X's ($310) and a Light Object Powered Z Table ($195). I haven't bought different optics, accessories, etc -- but I figure by the time I'm done, I'll be well over $1,600+.

    I certainly don't expect the Glowforge or any other Chinese imports to perform like an Epilog. When you buy an Epilog, you're buying an RF CO2 laser (as opposed to HV glass tube) and their software. The machine is almost ready to go out of the box. With the ones we have (or built), we have to either reengineer or build our own...figure out the software and have lots of trial and errors.

    I'll have a proper chiller for my K40 by the time I'm done. What does the Glowforge have to cool its tube, radiators and a fan? I don't have to depend on a cloud based service to use my machine.

    I think their concept is great. It enables people to get into this for not too much money...but I think there will be challenges for those who try to use it. It's no different than my FlashForge Creator Pro 3D printer. I've had loads of failed prints, so I had to experiment before I got it right...and that took hours. I think it'll be frustrating to people. They market it like it's a three step process (buy it, load your material and you're done). It's not that easy. It's just not.


    Not everyone is willing to (or capable of) tinkering with mechanical and electrical components like we are in this community. They'll expect it to work flawlessly forever. Just my opinion.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    I have a GWeike that I bought for about the same money but I have been using it to make money not like the Glowforge that no one has yet. Mine has a steel case and I can run it even without internet.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Quote Originally Posted by daniellyall View Post
    dharmic that's correct, the beta should have finished before they started the kickstarter.
    Glowforge was never sold on Kickstarter, but perhaps you were using that as a generic term for crowdfunding, like saying Kleenix for tissue. Nonetheless, being loose with terms or getting facts wrong can cost your opinion credibility. I do agree that they should have been much further along in development than they were before they started the pre-order campaign. I also think think they could have been a lot clearer with the language in their periodic status reports and should have been emailing those out to buyers instead of posting them only on their private forum, often in passing.



  18. #38
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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Quote Originally Posted by godfrey View Post
    I've started with a K40 ($291) and have purchased a AWC708C plus ($415) and three Gecko Drive G201X's ($310) and a Light Object Powered Z Table ($195). I haven't bought different optics, accessories, etc -- but I figure by the time I'm done, I'll be well over $1,600+.

    I certainly don't expect the Glowforge or any other Chinese imports to perform like an Epilog. When you buy an Epilog, you're buying an RF CO2 laser (as opposed to HV glass tube) and their software. The machine is almost ready to go out of the box. With the ones we have (or built), we have to either reengineer or build our own...figure out the software and have lots of trial and errors.

    I'll have a proper chiller for my K40 by the time I'm done. What does the Glowforge have to cool its tube, radiators and a fan? I don't have to depend on a cloud based service to use my machine.

    I think their concept is great. It enables people to get into this for not too much money...but I think there will be challenges for those who try to use it. It's no different than my FlashForge Creator Pro 3D printer. I've had loads of failed prints, so I had to experiment before I got it right...and that took hours. I think it'll be frustrating to people. They market it like it's a three step process (buy it, load your material and you're done). It's not that easy. It's just not.


    Not everyone is willing to (or capable of) tinkering with mechanical and electrical components like we are in this community. They'll expect it to work flawlessly forever. Just my opinion.
    Thanks for your comments. You made some good points that had me researching technical issues that were new to me. I wasn't able to find a list price for Epilog lasers, which usually means a premium price. Judging from Ebay asking prices for used Epilog lasers, it looks like a new Epilog Legend would be about twice the cost of a pre-order Pro-model Glowforge that includes the filter and comes with liquid-based cooling though I'm not sure if that uses a chiller or just some sort of fanned heat exchanger. $4k for the Glowforge Pro+filter was just doable for me - $8k is pretty much out of the question.

    I understand the attraction of the import K40-style and Red Sail laser cutters, especially for folks that have some technical knowledge. I could probably muddle through with one of those, but am at that point in life where I'd rather be working on other projects than tweaking and tuning a laser cutter. I've seen lot of folks that tried this approach and don't have a useful tool months down the road. That's one of the reasons I opted for a mostly turnkey CNC lathe and mill, and 3D printer, though each was more than the DIY versions would have been. CNC-ing my surface grinder is still on my to-do list and that is 8 years after the thought 1st presented itself. A number of pre-order buyers have already started discussing hacks for the GF and I'll probably try that sort of thing myself.

    I'm hoping that the GF will be relatively painless to use, though that remains to be seen. It appears that they will still have a few software features to implement after the initial release but the basic run of the mill stuff should be functional. One advantage of the cloud-based control system is that updates get distributed pretty much immediately. That's nice, but I'd rather have perpetually licensed software that runs from my HD, especially in a case like this with a new manufacturer that could disappear over night.

    The next month or so should prove whether or not this was a waste of time. If they don't release by then they will lose a number of their pre-orders, especially if the FSL Muse is any good.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelHenry View Post
    I wasn't able to find a list price for Epilog lasers, which usually means a premium price. Judging from Ebay asking prices for used Epilog lasers, it looks like a new Epilog Legend would be about twice the cost of a pre-order Pro-model Glowforge.

    I'd recommend the Epilog Mini 18 or Mini 24. I believe you can get these for well under $20,000 depending on your power requirements, and they have less expensive models that go for under $10k like the Zing series. You'd be getting a machine ready to go with great software and actual support of the product. I highly doubt Glowforge would provide handheld support and I know most of the Chinese vendors won't care who you are after the sale. The major differences between the Chinese models (including Glowforge) is that they use HV glass tubes. Epilog machines do not. They use an RF CO2 tube with a folded cavity which makes it half the size, plus there's no glass to break, no water cooling required below 100 Watts, no high voltage (no 28,000 volts to worry about), servo driven gantry versus stepper, loads of software options ----- the list goes on.

    But if you can't justify spending that amount, you're stuck with overseas brands that will require you to babysit every job.

    Give Epilog a call. 303-277-1188 See if they have any used units from customers who've upgraded.



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    Default Re: Glowforge, Too good to be true?

    I wanted to add (since I can't edit my post... ಠ_ಠ)

    I'd hold off and let the first units fail. If you're determined to have a pretty, plastic machine (it's flammable!), then you can always order one later and I'm sure they'll still cost the same. As far as I've seen on their crowd funding champaign, the price never went up.

    I have little to no faith in their product. Sure, it's neat, but it's not new. There are a few others on the market that employ the same tech behind Glowforge. Plus, it's not a freakin' 3D printer or any kind of "printer" like they market it.



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