Hello Everyone,
I'm new to this forum. I just signed up this week. I am on the market for a laser. I primarily do sand carving, but I need a laser to expand my product line. I have read through many of the threads about which laser to buy, and I've narrowed it down to two name brands. I don't want to mention brands because I don't want this thread to be about the brand. I would like it to be about buying a new laser vs buying a used laser.
This thread (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...ni-24-30-watts) really caught my attention when Mike stated "I certainly wouldn't suggest a 10 year old machine". So I have to ask. Why not? It seems to me that if I can find a 10 year old laser at a reasonable price. Have it rebuilt as new (if needed). I could get a more powerful laser, and larger bed for less money than buying new. For example I can get a used 75 watt/36x24 laser for less than a new 40 watt/24x12 laser.
I'm pretty sure someone is going to suggest job control is a feature that the used laser won't have, and that I'll need it, but I disagree. Job control simply helps with work flow. Not the laser technology, or finished quality of the engraving. If I took three identical awards with three identical engravings, each from one of the three main laser manufacturers. Would you be able to tell me which award was engraved by which manufacturer? What if I added a fourth award from a used laser. I doubt it. This will be my first laser so I don't have a lot of work for it yet. If I get that busy that Job Control is something that I'll need. I'll enthusiastically buy a new laser. Can anyone convince me not to buy a used 10 year old laser?
Darryl Wagner
Custom Engraving Studio