Any comments on A4dable engravers

[Ralph Lindberg]

Found this firm on a web search. http://a4dableww.com/
Could not find any references to them here, but they have an E-Bay store http://stores.ebay.com/A4dable-Woodw...Q3amesstQQtZkm with reasonable ratings. But I would like more then a 1 sentence comment.

Their prices are impressively small, but the question is, are they worth it?

[Dave Jones]

It looks like the typical cheap Chinese laser sold by a number of companies. You could probably buy it direct from China for 1/2 that price.

There's a thread going on over on engravingetc.org at the moment by a guy who bought a 40 watt Chinese laser on ebay and he's been struggling to get it to engrave in a repeatable way.

My guess is that if you're looking for a toy to tinker with and are good at understanding technology, it's probably OK. But if you're looking for a serious tool to produce products with, then you're probably better off looking at one of the major brands.

[Scott Shepherd]

I think this is from a previous discussion about the same make.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=52387

[Ralph Lindberg]

Thanks for the link Scott. I had done a search of the fourm for A4dable not A4dableWW so I missed that one.

[Ed Maloney]

First off they have small work areas. Other things to be concerned about would be the 3 month warranty on the laser tube (replacement is $429 for the 60W) and tech support availability. Some of the other descriptions say "very compatible with Corel" whatever that means. And it's air and water cooled?

Also - Feedback on it's own is only part of the story. Check out the feedback listings and check some of the recent items this seller has sold. They have been selling cruets, a high tech pet water bowl (which looks pretty cool though), candlesticks, and lasers.

[Scott Shepherd]

a high tech pet water bowl (which looks pretty cool though)

Except for the quote "Like the original, the circulating water attracts pets, encouraging them to drink more water, which in turn reduces the risk of diseases like urinary tract infections and kidney disease."

They might want to talk to a vet, as drinking too much water can be very damaging, even deadly, to a dog. It causes their stomache to actually twist and many dogs die from it every year. It happens to labs a lot.

Trust me, I know, as I had a dog drink too much water (just one normal bowl) and spent over $1,500 at an emergency vet having surgery to correct the issue. They said it happens all the time and it comes from drinking too much water at one time.

[Joe Pelonio]

I've just E-mailed them Since it's supposed to be in Oregon, maybe I can get an address to see them in person. I've asked that and also if they have sold any to customers in this area that I could go and talk to and see it.

You can by a lot of tubes at that price for what you'd save on the initial investment if that's the only issue (which I kind of doubt).

Update:

Any laser people in Portland? I rec'd an answer, he says that a customer in Wilsonville has one that he'd be happy to show me. My wife and I go to Portland several times a year but it may be a month or two before we get a chance. Apparently Wilsonville is just south of there.

[Mike Mackenzie]

If you do the math @429.00 per three months x 4 = 1716.00 per year. That to me seems pretty expensive considering you would normally get three to five years for a GAS C02 laser tube that once needs to be recharged is only 1100.00.

If you crunch all of the numbers I would think that the Brand Name lasers would cost you less over the long haul.

[Ralph Lindberg]

If you do the math @429.00 per three months x 4 = 1716.00 per year. That to me seems pretty expensive considering you would normally get three to five years for a GAS C02 laser tube that once needs to be recharged is only 1100.00.
....

Of course the problem with your assumption is that the laser would go out every 3 months (assuming daily use).
I've had electronic items with 90 day warranties that lasted 10 years (and others that died in less 6 months). All you can bet is that 99% of the lasers would last at least 3 months

[Ralph Lindberg]

....

Any laser people in Portland? I rec'd an answer, he says that a customer in Wilsonville has one that he'd be happy to show me. My wife and I go to Portland several times a year but it may be a month or two before we get a chance. Apparently Wilsonville is just south of there.

That could be a useful data point. An experience laser person looking at the product.
Sometimes these Chinese products are just cheap, sometimes they are inexpensive. The former being bad, the later good. Knowing which is the tricky part.

[Joe Pelonio]

If you do the math @429.00 per three months x 4 = 1716.00 per year. That to me seems pretty expensive considering you would normally get three to five years for a GAS C02 laser tube that once needs to be recharged is only 1100.00.

If you crunch all of the numbers I would think that the Brand Name lasers would cost you less over the long haul.

Mike,

I was going by my personal experience, where the tube lasts about a year and costs $2,300 to replace.

[Larry Bratton]

Scott:
Could be a dog trap. I understand a nice fat cocker spaniel is a delicacy in China

[Craig Hogarth]

I had looked at these several months ago. I spoke with an ebayer who bought one and he said he was having some problems being new and all. However he did claim that a4dable does have good support and helped him out.

I emailed a4dable and they linked me the page to download manuals.

I never looked at them, but in case you're interested.....

http://www.a4dableww.com/mnls/

[Ralph Lindberg]

...
I emailed a4dable and they linked me the page to download manuals.

I never looked at them, but in case you're interested.....

http://www.a4dableww.com/mnls/

They are certainly written by someone only semi-fluent in English. But informative, thanks

[Carol VanArnam]

Scott:
Could be a dog trap. I understand a nice fat cocker spaniel is a delicacy in China

You can talk bad about my laser but not my dog. Norman, my "fat cocker spaniel" didn't like your comment Larry. He bites!!!! Watch out....