Newbie - needing help

[Zeeflyboy]

No better than a chinese router IMO.! . . . . Any of these machines will cut thin ply wood or balsa etc. This is not the issue with them.
Reliabilty and longevity is the real problem.

Agreed, I certainly wouldn't say it is is better than a Chinese router... it would however be another option at the same/similar price point as a cheap Chinese one, but with the option of a significantly larger work area for the money which might be useful for his needs. Just another option without pushing someone into a much more expensive purchase than they want. Undoubtedly it will develop slop over time but given the light duty work I think it'd last ok and would be relatively cheap to refurb.

I think there's a lot to be said for the laser suggestion actually though... available cheap and would do a good job on the OP's requirements. Just the replacement tube costs to consider and reliability, though I don't think they are particularly less reliable than any generic Chinese CNC.

[JAZZCNC]

I think there's a lot to be said for the laser suggestion actually though... available cheap and would do a good job on the OP's requirements. Just the replacement tube costs to consider and reliability, though I don't think they are particularly less reliable than any generic Chinese CNC.

Again not so sure from all the deads ones I've seen. End of the day you get what you pay for and buying cheap comes with risk of unreliabilty. If just hobby use then not so much a big issue but if lively hood or main income revolves around cutting then best avoided.

[Zeeflyboy]

Again not so sure from all the deads ones I've seen.

I'd have to defer to your experience on that one - I have only limited experience with them but the one I know of in use have been ok so far. Sample size of 1...

End of the day you get what you pay for and buying cheap comes with risk of unreliabilty. If just hobby use then not so much a big issue but if lively hood or main income revolves around cutting then best avoided.

Can't disagree with that, but then again you could go through a lot of chinese lasers before you reach the price of an epilog or similar.

I don't get the impression that this is a livelihood, rather a side line - but I may be wrong! I do agree that if it's a question of livelihood then the equation changes dramatically as time spent sorting out issues is time spent not earning.

[Boyan Silyavski]

Show me a working Chinese laser cutter / one that is not owned by super genius that hacked all of it/?? Cheap Chinese lasers are Trouble. Now if you find a company that gives UK or EU warranty and support for the machines, which offer upgrade of tubes and so on, then Yes.

Just look forum questions about lasers and the desperation of people. I have wanted a laser cutter from long time but my brain tells me to buy when i can afford a good one.

[Doddy]

Show me a working Chinese laser cutter

I could show you mine. Okay, I re-routed the air feed into an energy chain, and added two perpendicular laser line generators to form a cross-hair, and removed the sprung loaded carrier, but other than that it's stock, and still working (at least the last time I checked).

It may be a crap, but it was eminently affordable and I've had it a couple of years now, cut quite a few things (but really need to get it back out of the attic and into the shed... once the missus gets rid of her car hard-top)

Just look forum questions about lasers and the desperation of people.

The problem on forums is you get a lot of people seeking to resolve problems - rarely extolling the virtues.

OP: Google "Laser Cut Basswood" for some pretty nice examples. If I had my laser easily accessible I'd offer to cut you a few test pieces.

[Boyan Silyavski]

I have seen even personally a working one , but from what i have read many people had to clean and adjust optics, or exchange, etc. So its not a "straight out of the box" solution. I am not talking about more expensive Chinese machines. My wifes company bought one which as far as i know is working fine, cutting 2mm inox, though price is not same as you can imagine .