Looking for advice - Laser table

[chevybythesea]

Been on this site for years, and love, love, love the advice I see. So many knowledgeable folks, all so welcoming in providing advice.

Had plasma tables for years. Loved them - mostly I do metal cut art, in the 10g to 20g carbon steel and stainless. But, in the last few years, seeing a few of you with laser tables got me thinking.

Recently sold my business (steel distribution), and large plasma table (5x10). Looking to get a new table to run at home in my little barn. This is where I had the Eureka moment - *maybe* I could get a laser table, and enjoy the nicer cuts, closer details, finer designs, etc. But, I have zero experience in what table to get. I believe I need a 2kw fiber laser, and have a budget of $25k.

What do you all use? What do you recommend?

[Joe Jones]

Take a SERIOUS look at the new X-TOOL 1,200 Watt or 800 Watt Metal Fab machines.

I bought the 1,200 Watt machine. It will be one of my FAVORITE machines!

Joe

[plasmanewbie]

Been on this site for years, and love, love, love the advice I see. So many knowledgeable folks, all so welcoming in providing advice.

Had plasma tables for years. Loved them - mostly I do metal cut art, in the 10g to 20g carbon steel and stainless. But, in the last few years, seeing a few of you with laser tables got me thinking.

Recently sold my business (steel distribution), and large plasma table (5x10). Looking to get a new table to run at home in my little barn. This is where I had the Eureka moment - *maybe* I could get a laser table, and enjoy the nicer cuts, closer details, finer designs, etc. But, I have zero experience in what table to get. I believe I need a 2kw fiber laser, and have a budget of $25k.

What do you all use? What do you recommend?

Sounds like a great plan!

Take a SERIOUS look at the new X-TOOL 1,200 Watt or 800 Watt Metal Fab machines.

I bought the 1,200 Watt machine. It will be one of my FAVORITE machines!

Joe

Have you cut any metal with it yet Joe? Curious how it works on metals.

[adbuch]

Been on this site for years, and love, love, love the advice I see. So many knowledgeable folks, all so welcoming in providing advice.

Had plasma tables for years. Loved them - mostly I do metal cut art, in the 10g to 20g carbon steel and stainless. But, in the last few years, seeing a few of you with laser tables got me thinking.

Recently sold my business (steel distribution), and large plasma table (5x10). Looking to get a new table to run at home in my little barn. This is where I had the Eureka moment - *maybe* I could get a laser table, and enjoy the nicer cuts, closer details, finer designs, etc. But, I have zero experience in what table to get. I believe I need a 2kw fiber laser, and have a budget of $25k.

What do you all use? What do you recommend?

What metal thickness do you plan to cut with a laser table?
David

[adbuch]

The OP is MIA, but I will respond anyway. I don't use a laser table, but I do use a Plasmacam DHC2 plasma table. I also have many of my production parts cnc laser cut by the local laser shop - they do top quality at a very reasonable price per part. The edge quality and finish I get with my Plasmacam using Hypertherm 45xp and 85 is every bit as good as the laser cut parts I get. The cost to run a cnc laser table is much higher than the plasma table due to the compressed gases required.

There are several benefits to the laser cutting.
1. No edge taper
2. The ability to "laser etch"

Also if you are cutting really thin materials, there may be a benefit of less warping along with narrower kerf width.

Unless it is absolutely critical for appearance sake, I think that using an air scribe mounted to a plasma table will come close as far as visibility for scribing letters, patterns, etc. Also the EasyScriber can do some excellent work - particularly on aluminum.

A Plamacam table similar to mine can be had for less than half of your $25k budget, particularly if you shop on the "pre-owned" market.
If I had to do intricate laser engraving, I would personally opt for one of the newer small fiber laser cutter/engravers that I think are priced under $5k for the really nice ones.

I expect that the full size fiber laser tables would run around $50k or more, not including inert gas bottles,wiring, etc. One of the fellow members has indicated that he has recently purchased and is using a "full size" cnc laser table. He has not shared details about make, model, cost, etc. Perhaps send him a PM and ask him directly.

Good luck!

David

[Scratch]

I also have a question about laser engraving and I'm not sure who to ask. I know some of you are into lasers so I thought someone might have some input on it. I'm considering getting into laser engraving and wondering what type of costs I'm going to be looking at. I'd like to be able to engrave metal things like golf clubs and firearms but I have no idea what type or strength of laser engraver I'd need , or the costs involved in that.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I might need and how much it might cost to be able to do stuff like this?

lz2.jpg (94.14 KiB) Viewed 147 times

lz2.jpg (94.14 KiB) Viewed 147 times

[adbuch]

I also have a question about laser engraving and I'm not sure who to ask. I know some of you are into lasers so I thought someone might have some input on it. I'm considering getting into laser engraving and wondering what type of costs I'm going to be looking at. I'd like to be able to engrave metal things like golf clubs and firearms but I have no idea what type or strength of laser engraver I'd need , or the costs involved in that.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I might need and how much it might cost to be able to do stuff like this?
lz2.jpg
lz1.jpg

There is some discussion about this towards the end of this thread.

https://www.plasmaspider.com/viewtopic. ... pa#p247461

One of the members recently purchased a fiber laser engraver for metal. I'm not sure what the full capabilities are.
Here is the Amazon link.
https://www.amazon.com/ComMarker-B6-Eng ... r=8-2&th=1

[Joe Jones]

I do not have the XTOOL Metal Fab machine yet. However, I did drive down to Tennessee to see a live hands on demo and I was sold on the machine, Mine should arrive some time in the next ten days or so. I cannot wait!

Joe

This was cut on the XTOOL Metl Fab machine.

[Joe Jones]

A fiber CUTTING laser is not the same as a fiber ETCHING laser. For etching, I suggest the XTOOL F1 ULTRA or the Laserpecker 4, or a Chinese galvo fiber etching machine like the one which I purchased (used) for $2,500.00

Joe