The Cheapest Laser Engraver On Amazon

What is the cheapest laser engraver on Amazon capable of? Does it work? Will it cut? In this video, I put this laser engraving machine through all kinds of tests!

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[bayoucountrybeefarmandwood]

This is similar to the one I started with. I paid more than $99 but it looks like that. I upgraded last year to a CO2 laser and love it but there is definitely a place for these little lasers. I gave mine like this to my sister to learn. 😊👍

[kreature]

For cutting through thicker stock cleanly, simply find the speed that engraves well without burning the edges, and run it multiple times till it has cut through.

[ifiwooddesigns]

Another awesome video. Maybe now that you have both laser and CNC, a follow up to a simple enclosure to remove odors and smoke would be a great follow-up for these miniature models.

[jamiewest]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Can you try this on glass, cups, etc.?

[yellvett]

Great video, you can cut with it use about 80% power and 60% feed and do multiple passes, should cut clean. Focus of laser is very important also the further out of focus the wider the beam and more chance to burn. Also always keep a fire extinguisher close.

[Damon_Barber]

Thanks for the review. Unfortunately for me, it looks like everyone else beat me to it and it is no longer available. 😳

[bobbytims]

Sadly, Diode lasers in this price range are barebones (which I know is the basis of this video). Though they work, they are missing some essentials. One of these essentials is a dedicated air assist setup. Typically these setups have a way to direct air right on the material where the laser is hitting it. This allows for a more precise burn and less chance of charring or burning. One problem is that the more you improve the laser, the closer you get to the high-end lasers that already have these features. Diode lasers seem better for picture quality burns, whereas a CO2 is more along the lines of a cutting tool (acrylic, wood, leather, etc). I happen to have both and use each tool accordingly.
Lastly, a fiber laser is great for marking metal. You can do some marking on certain metals with a Diode and a CO2, but it is super limited and usually have to have some sort of marking spray added, like Cermark or similar.

Also, for any laser, be prepared to jump down a small rabbit hole on proper ventilation (7:25 minutes into the video above), air assist and most likely an enclosure for the laser. Though most of this can be circumvented by placing a fan in the window, you want to remain present for burns as it can cause a house/shop fire if you walk away.
Keep in mind that the more detailed an image you try to burn, the longer the burn times. A high def image in a size of 4"x4" can roughly burn for 2.5 to 8 hours depending.

[janputz]

I have not the slightest clue about engraving but I find that many Amazon items that seem cheap actually seem to hold themselves quite well for the amount of money. For example I got a mini multitool for engraving wood and such but got it for sanding and metal works. It was about 15 bucks and so many people complained about it. They won't do any heavy lifting but when you keeps their tasks simple and test their limits you get a cheap fairly well working tool. You just can't expect pro tier results from a low end tool but with that in mind you can get great deals for a practice tool you won't be mad about when it breaks. Which it will sooner than later.

[wesleyferrari]

U are amazing, what u are doing testing and showing to us is fantastic 😍, great idea, thanks 🙏

[hollymoffatt]

i didnt read all of the comments but it seems like if you did a few passes at the higher speed and power you might be able to cut with it. also when cutting through something you might want to get a honeycomb panel that the laser engraver can sit on to help with air flow when cutting something else out. i work with a xenetech (do not recommend) and a gravograph (highly recommend if wanting to cut things out about an 1/8 in thick) both of which do great in their own right. gravograph is so easy to learn its programing and is very user friendly. both laser engravers have a honeycomb that the projects can sit on if they need to be cut out.

[Rick-Williams]

No longer available on Amazon as of July 4th

[karie]

Thanks for your video! OK, you call it an engraver. I'm a silver smith, and have been looking into something like this to engrave my maker's mark onto my pieces or little tags that I hang on necklaces & bracelets. Did they say if it will engrave metal? I've seen others do it, but not sure what they were using. Thanks!

[zharroldable]

00:43 - I was really hoping for another pair of safety glasses! You would have been so surprised !

[projectwood]

Very good Job...always something a little different. Big fan of these.

[fernandomarcano]

Have you try on different type of metals? Paint steel vs raw steel? I’m tracking the reflection and surface factor but I still would like to try. Thanks

[eaman]

You can cut with that:
- you can't keep the material laid on the base, it has to be suspended like with a metal honeycomb, for the cheap make a bed with some one inch screws in a grid
- build a small air assist with an aquarium air pump or an air compressor

[MrVina_NZ]

its not $99, the link took me to a $599 NZD which is approx. 300 USD.

[HeatherHunterJ]

This video is a tease of epic proportion’s 😂❤ thanks for showing us - wish was still around

[richardmilne]

Goodonya mate. Gives me a few good ideas about some engraving I wanna get done. Fanx.

[keithburns]

So, as you mentioned, it's an engraver not a cutter but for cutting balsa wood sheet 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 it should work?