Tech savy but new to lasers I’m looking to invest in a machine that will last me and take me from small things to bigger projects.
I’ll use it to engrave all sorts of things from bottles to long pieces of wood. And cut acrylic card wood and beyond. I had been looking at glow forge Pro but don’t like web based software element and would like something that can do rotary. Have ruled out full spectrum because of all the scam and controversy stuff I’ve read
I have the last here on the list, and am very happy with the machine. Whether I was more lucky than others I do not know, but beyond the well -known imperfections and small changes that you have to handle, I have got value for my money.
I got my replies mixed up.
Yes, I have the ZF version of the 60W, i.e. ZF2028-60 (bed control buttons on the front of the cabinet). I paid $2100 USD for it this summer (off of eBay). How much is the AF2028 going for in the UK? I see that they have a pre-owned MF2028-60 for GBP 1800.00,not a bad deal.
No, the ZF is referred to as electric focus. I have two push buttons on the front panel called Z up and Z down. I had heard of folks having the nozzle crash into the honeycomb bed, I decided to go with the electric focus model. Better than the manual focus and without the possible headaches of the auto-focus. My first OMTECH laser was manual and that got to be a real pain. I installed a Z axis driver and stepper on my OMTECH MF1220-50 and turned it into an electric focus. Now I have the ZF2028-60 and I couldn’t be happier.
As with all products, the price also reflects here in quality. However, for my part, I can say that I have experienced a positive development of some products from China.
What have I done about the machine?
Specifically, this machine I have thrown out the weak and electrically dangerous installed built -in fan/extraction (I think it is not from the same factory as the machine and is just miserable), mounted the C02 TUB new and replaced the included aquarium pump with a CW5000 cooler .
The entire electrical installation has been given a control inspection and some connections became tightened. I can say for my machine that the electrical installation was satisfactorily done, sizing the cables and the assembly was ok from the factory.
The CW5000 noises a bit but performs its work very nicely and can easily handle my 60watt tube.
In fact, my biggest commandment was that the material thickness of the machine structure itself is quite thin (I am the type that uses M16 instead of M12 bolts ). I was prepared to reinforce the body with profiles and extra plates. But, it never turned into anything. After I tested and then produced relatively intense amounts of orders with this machine, it turned out that the machine is accurate enough.
I still run with the original nozzle, the original mirrors and lens. I usually clean the machine once as needed and especially keep the optics clean.
I think it’s important to know one’s machine’s limits. Eg. To engrave something with 500-600 mm/s is meaningless, the machine never achieves this speed and not at all at a narrow distance.
Power, although the machine is purchased as a 60watt machine, I think it’s an about 50-55watt machine. My Max Power is at about 60% in Lightburn which corresponds to approx. 16 ma. Everything above it has no further effect on my machine, so 16mA is fine. I run mostly in 3-4 mm plywood and HDF but have also had “large” order with 6mm acrylic. The machine I bought/got has earned itself very quickly and I am, as I said before, very happy with this investment.
I hope you find a machine that meets your wishes and requirements.
At the risk of getting hate mail, I would rate the xTool on as a no-show. They (xTool and machine) do not play well with Lightburn. I read a lot of complaints about them. Ther version of “Lightburn support” means they say use theit XCS software instead.
My personal experience with xTool: I bought their RA2 rotary. and emailed them about adapter cables or connection information. Although the website said otherwise, they explicitly told me their chuck rotary was not compatible with my Sculpfun. I was not convinced…(post #2)
No, that’s not what I wrote.
The original extraction fan is so poor that it needs to be replaced with a functioning suction fan. And it was the only electrical installation in my machine that was “critical” design and executed. It may be fixed in the machines you can buy today.
You are 100% correct @bernd.dk . They are universally anemic and I would hazard a guess they are the first thing that folks take out and replace. The factory has to put something in there I suppose. I repurposed mine as a benchtop cooling fan (Florida resident). Waste not want not.
Ah perhaps im just not that clear on it all. If its built in to the machine and its dangerous then that sounded to me like the machine is dangerous. I wouldnt be able to remove things and add things as thats well beyond my skills sadly. Thanks so much for sharing all this by the way . Really appreciate it
ok i understand that. Unfortunately, it is also a completely different price range you will be looking for a machine. If you don’t have the opportunity to “work” a bit with cooling, air support and extraction, then it will be somewhat more expensive
After you know the specifications you are looking for I would not rule out Toollots.
my last 90 watt RECI came from them and it has been flawless. The sell many brands.
). I was prepared to reinforce the body with profiles and extra plates. But, it never turned into anything. After I tested and then produced relatively intense amounts of orders with this machine, it turned out that the machine is accurate enough.
