Good Morning. Considering an entry level laser and I have a few questions.

[Jacob John]

The depth you're looking to do 12" is going to be problematic with the smaller lasers. I think my max depth is around 9-10" depending on the len, on my speedy 300.

The difference between the Trotec and Rayjet is the software and the Rayjet is essentially a stripped down speedy at a lower price point I believe, but talk to Chris he can tell you the exact differences.

On the glass you may want a rotary attachment also that's the most common method of doing glass so budget for that as well. I would also recommend air assist it's nice for engraving/cutting wood keeps your lens clean, we have it on all of ours. Your power is going to be low at 30w-40w. You can do most things with that but it will take awhile and multiple passes on some things. I'd recommend 60w+ if you can swing it. of coarse all these things add cost so you have to budget what will work for you.

Thanks, Keith. The depth is actually much less than that. We're not trying to engrave or cut very ornate boxes, more like basic etching, maybe with the possibility of larger depth engravings. The 12" was the width dimensions of the boxes, since I know that some machines have smaller surface areas. We are definitely going to be purchasing the rotary attachment for glassware. If I look at 60w machines, I think that takes the Rayjet our completely because I believe that they only go as high as 50w. This is one reason I'm here, this type of information is invaluable and will help prevent me making initial mistakes. Thank you.

I'm not afraid of making an investment, but I'm afraid of making the wrong type of investment, and too soon, if that makes sense. I want to give myself options for expansion, but I'm not ready to go with some of the higher end options that some of you guys have. Maybe when I get a little more into this.

That's why i was considering the smaller Rayjet. It looks like it gives me enough to get my feet wet, but without the larger initial investment, but if the laser will be under powered for what we're trying to do, that concerns me.

[Mike Null]

If you search posts by Robert Tepper or pm him you'll find a longtime Rayjet user. I believe he now has a Trotec 300 but he was high on the Rayjet.

[Keith Winter]

Hi Jacob. I can tell you glass is one of the most unforgiving substrates to laser engrave on. Every glass you engrave on will be somewhat different, even in the same box sometimes; there will be slight variances in every glass. Glass takes patience, but I don't think you need massive power to do it, just enough to create controled fracturing of the glass. Wood is much easier and more forgiving comparatively. I'm sure more than a few people on here are doing both of those substrates with 40 watts so I'm not saying it's impossible at all. All I am stating is my preference for more wattage. Wood takes power, but you can slow down the engraving speed to compensate for less power in most cases. If this is going to be a real business that you move into an office or warehouse at some point you might think about more wattage. If this is going to be more of a hobby then you might not want to spend for the extras. I think you have to do what's best for you in your situation. One word of advise I would give. No matter your situation, don't underprice your wares. Your time is valuable and so is your laser time.

[Jacob John]

If you search posts by Robert Tepper or pm him you'll find a longtime Rayjet user. I believe he now has a Trotec 300 but he was high on the Rayjet.

Thank you, Mike. I believe that I saw his name in a few searches.

Hi Jacob. I can tell you glass is one of the most unforgiving substrates to laser engrave on. Every glass you engrave on will be somewhat different, even in the same box sometimes; there will be slight variances in every glass. Glass takes patience, but I don't think you need massive power to do it, just enough to create controled fracturing of the glass. Wood is much easier and more forgiving comparatively. I'm sure more than a few people on here are doing both of those substrates with 40 watts so I'm not saying it's impossible at all. All I am stating is my preference for more wattage. Wood takes power, but you can slow down the engraving speed to compensate for less power in most cases. If this is going to be a real business that you move into an office or warehouse at some point you might think about more wattage. If this is going to be more of a hobby then you might not want to spend for the extras. I think you have to do what's best for you in your situation. One word of advise I would give. No matter your situation, don't underprice your wares. Your time is valuable and so is your laser time.

I definitely need to find a balance between bankrolling an entire business at once, or starting smaller then scaling accordingly. I know this is probably frowned upon when considering starting a business, but this is a hobby/small business at the initial startup, which can hopefully grow as we define and grow our product line. My wife will be doing most of the work during the day, with me assisting during the evening hours. Pricing is another thing that we're heavily researching right now and another part of starting small in my opinion. We want to make sure that we really identify our primary customer base, and market to them, even if it creates a smaller clientele base. I have an itchy trigger finger to go fast and hard, but thankfully my logic side allows me to take a step back and analyze and research until I'm comfortable with my choice. It's tough sometimes though.

I knew glass was going to come with a higher learning curve because of the fragility and curves. Hopefully, we'll be receiving some help from friends on that one. If I can get some fair pricing on the Rayjet 50 watt, I may just go with that one from the start. That way, I have a decent amount of power starting out. I just wish pricing was more readily available for comparison's sake. It's tough when you don't have a baseline starting price.

[Scott Shepherd]

Jacob, if she isn't already, get her going on CorelDraw. Running the laser is the easy part

I also think Robbert Tepper's Rayjet is the one like a Speedy, not the one like you are looking at, but I'm not positive about that. I think it uses the same software on both machines. It's called "Commander" or something like that.

It really does almost ask your questions, step by step, to get the job to the laser with the right settings, but you'll have to have the file in Corel (or whatever you want to use) before it gets to that step.

Nothing wrong with starting small and growing into the business. That's how most all of us started.

[Robert Tepper]

Hello Jacob,

I own a Rayjet 300 with 80 watts. I have had the machine for 3 years this July and I am more than happy with my investment. I do a lot of engraved labels, Rowmark signage, stencils, rubber stamps, part marking etc.

The machine has been down 2 days in 3 years and Trotec sent the parts overnight. I am very happy with my investment. The software is very simple, not as extensive as the Speedy software. I do plan on purchasing a Speedy 300 or 400 by the end of the year, just have to see how the money situation is. If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.

Best of luck in your investment,
Robert

[Jacob John]

Ok guys, sorry to keep asking questions, but I've been looking around this evening, and while it isn't large, there's a small market for previously owned lasers. Now usually, and in this case as well, I'm very leery of purchasing used equipment because you never know how the previous owner took care of it. However, there are a few sites that offer 6 month to 1 year warranties on their equipment, and there are quite a few that I might consider. I know that this takes me in a slightly different direction, especially with the software ease of use concern, but it's hard not to consider it. Have any of you purchased a used one? Two that I'm looking at are the Universal VLS 4.60 and the VLS 6.60, both 60 watts and just over a year old.

[Scott Shepherd]

Make sure it's not access used lasers.

[Bert Kemp]

Just curious as to if you've considered a USA based Chinese laser. You can purchase a nice 60 watt with a larger bed size a 9 inch z axis that will cut and engrave your boxes just fine at a fraction of the cost of a trotec . Also top notch USA support .Just something else to consider.

[Lee DeRaud]

The Versalaser is here: http://www.versalaser.com.au/ I saw it listed at $6,800 on one website.

(Most of the discussion so far seems to be focused on the Rayjet, but I'll toss this in.)
Note that the site you linked to is in Australia...for Versalaser and other ULS products, start here: http://www.ulsinc.com/products/confi...FYlhfgodQ54ABQ
And unless prices have taken a huge drop since I looked last, that $6800 price is astonishingly low.

I've had the original "entry-level" Versalaser, the VL200, for over ten years now, and can't come up with anything bad to say about the machine, the company, or the distributors I've had contact with. I admit that mine was purchased for personal use (AKA "hobby", a word usually used as an insult around here), but it's handled everything I've thrown at it, including some things that some folks here will tell you are impossible for a machine in the 25W-30W range.

[Jacob John]

(Most of the discussion so far seems to be focused on the Rayjet, but I'll toss this in.)
Note that the site you linked to is in Australia...for Versalaser and other ULS products, start here: http://www.ulsinc.com/products/confi...FYlhfgodQ54ABQ
And unless prices have taken a huge drop since I looked last, that $6800 price is astonishingly low.

I've had the original "entry-level" Versalaser, the VL200, for over ten years now, and can't come up with anything bad to say about the machine, the company, or the distributors I've had contact with. I admit that mine was purchased for personal use (AKA "hobby", a word usually used as an insult around here), but it's handled everything I've thrown at it, including some things that some folks here will tell you are impossible for a machine in the 25W-30W range.

Thank you, Lee. When I looked harder at the site offering the $6,850 Versalaser,it's offering the case and robotics for that price. To add a 30 watt laser, it increases by another $4,800. That makes a bit more sense.

I'm still leaning toward the Rayjet, and I received some initial pricing today. For everything I need, the price is very comparable to some of Epilog's lasers (I found some pricing for them online today). I really believe that the difference is going to be the learning curve on the commander software, but I want to hear from Universal before I make a decision. I'm not dismissing used, but it's tough to get past that barrier of not knowing how someone treated their equipment.

[Tony Lenkic]

Jacob,

If you are not aware, Engravers network is ULS rep for your area. They usually have some pre-owned laser for sale that come with 6 month warranty.
Their location is in Arlington, check them out..............http://www dot engraversnetwork dot com/products/used-equipment/

[Jacob John]

Jacob,

If you are not aware, Engravers network is ULS rep for your area. They usually have some pre-owned laser for sale that come with 6 month warranty.
Their location is in Arlington, check them out..............http://www dot engraversnetwork dot com/products/used-equipment/

Thank you, Tony, I will check them out.

[Bill George]

Thank you, Tony, I will check them out.

I purchased a refurbished 2006 ULS from a dealer near me. 50 watt machine but the tube was recharged and it measured a little over 60 watts. Price was close to the newer lower wattage machine you are looking at and it will do all you need done.

[Jeanette Brewer]

Jacob,

You've received some excellent, valuable advice/info here. I don't know in which part of Texas you reside but, especially if you're anywhere near Arlington (and even if not!), I'd recommend making the trip.

The city of Arlington is home to authorized distributors for Epilog (Engraving Concepts), Trotec (Chris Cudmore) and Universal (Engravers Network) lasers. All three distributors are very knowledgeable and have "been around" for quite awhile. You'll get all your questions answered & then some!

If you're closer to Houston, that works too. We (Engraving Concepts) have a showroom very near Hobby airport. I believe that Engravers Network (ULS) has a part-time Houston demo facility too.

Alternatively, if you'll let me know where you are, we'd be happy to bring a laser to YOU for a hands-on demo the next time we're in your "neck of the woods".

Finally, since you mentioned used lasers, we happen to have several used lasers available right now. That's not usually the case but we have 4 of them in the warehouse right now (two of them are the smaller Zing16 & Zing24 systems).