Choosing a Laser Engraver (Beginner's Guide)

Learn laser engraving the simple way: asherdiy.com/b...
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Lasers I Use: Xtool D1 Pro, and Xtool P2
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[@asherdiy]

Learn laser engraving the simple way: asherdiy.com/bootcamp/
Get free laser files on my email newsletter: asherdiy.com/free-files/

[@tylerarrigoni7700]

Great content! Very prepared and well produced! Subscribed!

[@jackjfb8439]

Fantastic video! I truly appreciate that you were able to do an honest and unbiased presentation of all of these offerings! Nowadays, so many influencers are blinded by the freebies they receive. Thank you, sir.

[@terribleatfishing]

I Ordered the Atomstack A12Ultra.. I am hoping it will work well comes with everything, housing air assist honeycomb and a camera. I think it will work well.. thank you for the video.

[@kdiamond3623]

Well done! I started on a inexpensive 5W diode laser and with the exception of cutting through thick materials i can accomplish almost everything i want to do. The prices for other technology is scary expensive!

[@MileyonDisney]

LOTS of great info! Thanks!

[@asherdiy]

@@MileyonDisney thanks, Miley - you’re getting to be a “regular” here. Thanks so much for watching!

[@MrMeddle2243]

Great video, I have a 10 watt and use lightburn but still not getting the results you are, mine will not cut plywood I use it in leatherwork and it will not cut leather, have you ever done a detailed setup video for lightburn for something like a 10w? I went up on my s value but not sure where it should be

[@lisarubino8722]

What is the best beginner laser machine to do clear acrylic?

[@asherdiy]

@@lisarubino8722 for clear acrylic you’ll want a co2 laser. And in my opinion, the best option for beginners would be something in the “entry level desktop” category. Examples include the Omtech Polar and XTool P2.

[@lisarubino8722]

Thanks!

[@indeedgrasshopper]

I use an Epilog Fusion Pro 48 dual source (120W CO2/50W fiber) and it's disappointing. It's only a couple of years old and we barely use the thing but:
1) The air assist is barely a puff.
2)The focus is adjusted by raising and lowering the bed which rides on four threaded posts joined by a timing belt. Last year the belt fell off as apparently, the factory didn't tension it properly. Does the user manual tell you how to reinstall the belt? NO! Keep in mind that this bed has to be leveled to the laser track to within 0.001" or focus on the fiber laser will drift over the span of the bed. Had to rig my own procedure.
2b) After getting the bed adjusted the focus settings need to be calibrated in the on-board computer. The procedure in the manual, followed TO THE LETTER, does not work.
3) Laser was misaligned from the factory and again the user manual DOES NOT DETAIL HOW TO PERFORM THE ALIGNMENT!!! Ruined a window right away.
4) This past summer I had a rotary job and after engraving the first couple of parts I heard a terrible whack, whack, bang, bang, bang, beeeeeeeeeeeep. The display had an error about losing position on X axis and it had been smashing the head into the chuck of the rotary stage, destroying the auto focus unit. Turns out, removing the onboard computer and re-seating it was the fix.
Overall, not the kind of janky problems I'd expect from such an expensive machine.

[@asherdiy]

Wow - sorry to hear about all the hassle you’ve had with your Epilog. That sounds super frustrating.

[@spectrumofreality]

There's actually Diode, CO2, Fiber, UV and infrared lasers...