Want to buy engraver

[jessicaswain]

Hello... I want to start doing trophies, awards and dog tags in my shop.. i am looking to buy an inexpensive laser engraver to do this.. i looked on ebay and saw the little ones from china..will that work for what i need or does some one have a suggestion.. want to spend as little as possible for it is not guarenteed that it will go over well here where i live.
thanks
jess

[zax15uk]

You could engrave laserable plastic (faux brass etc) for trophies and anodized dog tags, but wouldn't be able to engrave metal. No small CO2 will do this unless you use an additive process (something like Thermark).

Have you considered a diamond or rotary engraver - much cheaper to buy and operate?

Zax.

[bpoulin]

Most trophy stuff is engraved with a mechanical engraver not a laser. Look into CNC routers. They can be had at a very reasonable price. Laser would be a nice thing to add to a shop to expand what you can do. But it won't do what you're thinking of.
Laser etching has no depth, look at this video and you'll see what laser etching can do. YouTube - GI Dog Tags Laser Etching By YouEtch.com And you know what traditional engraving is like, the letters are cut down into the material. Each has it's own use, but an engraver will be best suited for what you've presented as your needs.

[Tweakie]

Jess,

Spend a little time reading the posts on SMC Engravers Forum
They are mostly professional engravers and there is a lot to learn about the laser side of the business which, as you are aware, is not exactly earning mega bucks at the moment.

Tweakie.

[jessicaswain]

I have read a lot of forums about it, and true, it doesnt make mega bucks, but nothing is right now.. i know that where i live people do go out of the area to buy what trophies they need. for 5 bucks, i just think it would be nice to be able to offer them here. not only that, i sell souveniers and would like to be able to engrave my own designs on keychains, and such.... anyways. any idea where to find something to this with that dont cost alot

in the future, i would also like to make wooden signs

[bpoulin]

"doesn't cost a lot." That's a relative term, if you mean compared to similar sized name brand machine you're in luck. If you mean a piece of equipment that will do what you're asking for less than $1000 I doubt it can be found.

Anyway check out this machine. It's a really nice mid sized CNC router/engraver that's servo controlled. So it'll be quicker and quieter than stepper driven machine. CNC Router Laser Cutting Machine CNC Engraving Machine-XYZ Technologies Limited Send me a message if you have any questions.

[Tweakie]

Jess,

If you have some engineering skills and the available time you could always construct your own machine to exactly your own requirements.
My machine was a couple of years in the making but I am pleased with the end results (check out my website for details Tweakie, Tweakie.CNC, CNC router, mill, engraver, vinyl cutter, laser.)

As far as cost is concerned the best advice is don't even think about it.
If you are serious about counting the cost then it is probably better not to start out on this path at all - to be honest it is going to cost $$$ to have a machine that can produce quality stuff and it is going to take some time to earn back the investment - such is life my friend.

Tweakie.

[masterandroger]

Hello Jess,
Most of your material are metal, so may the laser machine for metal will cost little high. Now in China most of CO2 laser machine just for non-metal, the max laser power is about 150w. If you just for non-metal material, it right for this kind of co2 machines. I know the price will be between 3000-3500 usd.Maybe it's lower price.

[fullspeceng]

We sell economy high quality laser systems out of Las Vegas, NV, USA:
Full Spectrum Engineering

We make our own software and control system in the USA and the laser functions like a regular printer.

You have USA support and software at 1/5th the price of other laser systems.

See our new detailed PDF manual here: Full Spectrum Engineering

We have sold hundreds of lasers.

See dozens of samples other customers have made here:
www.fullspectrumengineering.com • View topic - Contest: Free Replacement Laser Tubes for Life!

Visit our new retail location in Las Vegas for an in person demo or call our direct laser line at (702) 482-8594 and speak to a sales person:
Full Spectrum Engineering

Demand exceeds our supply right now but we are receiving weekly shipments and shipping them out on a first in first out basis.

[shanny1125]

Originally Posted by jessicaswain Hello... I want to start doing trophies, awards and dog tags in my shop.. i am looking to buy an inexpensive laser engraver to do this.. i looked on ebay and saw the little ones from china..will that work for what i need or does some one have a suggestion.. want to spend as little as possible for it is not guarenteed that it will go over well here where i live. thanks jess

Hi Jess,
Just read through your thread,and wondering,have you made your decision which kinda machine to buy?if you wanna do trophies, awards and dog tags,then a cnc router machine will be good.We have a mini machine which will be good for you,if you interested,please check the following link.
JCUT-3030B Professional CNC Router CNC Engraver Carver from China - China cnc router, laser cnc router, cnc router woodworking machine in Engraving & Etching Machine

The price for the mini engraver machine is 2300USD.We also have mini laser machines,if interested,you are welcome to send me mail,my MSN is chinajcutcnc@hotmail.com

Good luck.
Shanny