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Hello. I am a avid car modeler, resin caster and train enthusiast. I also enjoy woodworking. My wife is into dollhouses and I am like wise into scale dioramas. I recently became unemployed like millions of others across our nation. I am thinking about becomeing self employed and looking at the possabilities of a table top laser cutter. My idea is to be able to cut out both balsa wood projects for doll houses as well as plastic (styrene) projects like diorama building kits, as well as smaller diorama objects like say coolers. Also interested in making train building kits. On a side note, also interested in engraving items as well. I am wanting to find a machine that can cut and engrave, nothing too think, 1/8" thick styrene at most for cutting. I am interested in a table top style machine and have a budget of under $3,000. What would you guys recomend for a good starting machine? Thank you. Jody
i would say 60W laser is a good choice but it will be more than $3000 if taking shipping cost and custom cost into consideration. chinese HX3040 40W desktop laser will be ok to get your job done. i guess thats the only model which might meet your budget requirement. 3040 model's working table size is 12" X 16".
Can I use corel draw and photograv with that machine? I have read about that unti and it would fall within my budget. Thank you for the reply. Jody
you need to export your file to PLT, DXF format and import to chinese software newlyDraw to send to laser machine. let me know if you have any issue on file format conversion.
Is corel draw proficient with doing pictures from scans, or would photoshop or photograv be better? Thank you. Jody
I use Photoshop but unless you're already experienced with it I'd recommend Photograv. It does the same job and is much easier to get good results.
Corel would probably work too but it's not going to be the easiest solution, and do you really want to waste time and material getting poor results.
Zax.
Hi Jody,Originally Posted by smartresins
You cannot take a picture of a house wall then scan it in and hope to cut it from balsa.
If you are going to be cutting balsa then you will need vectors and not a raster image. Photograv does not do that but Corel does. You will need to use Corel Trace to trace the outline you want from the scan then pass that to Corel Draw and then send it to the laser software and cut it.
From what I understand PhotoShop does not do vectors either.
Zax, the OP said they wanted to cut balsa and that means Vectors.
Dave, that si correct, but cutting is not the only thing I desire to do. I desire to engrave pictures, and awards and gifts as well and engraving and cutting balsa. Thanks. So many variations in programs ect. I know in some photos, airbrushing would be nice, why I was thinking photoshop. Thanks. Jody
DaveDoesIT, You may be right. Thanks for catching that.
Jody, If you want to take a picture/scan and cut from it you could try tracing it in Corel if it is simple but results are far from perfect. Expect to do some cleanup of the vector before it is ready to cut. Photograv, Photoshop and other raster software is for engraving pictures.
Zax.
So I take it I certainly will want the corel draw then. What would be best for taking photos and engraving them, or tweeking them before engraving or touch up. it is sounding like the photoshop may suite me more then photograv though photograv would be of some benefit.Jody
Jody,
Yes Corel is a must and unless you have experience with Photoshop already I would go the Photograv direction. If you plan to do a lot of photo engraving then definately get Photograv - it will save you a lot of time.
Zax.
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