Laser engravers

[MattF]

Finally decided to start having a play & figure these things out. The S9 still hasn't been assembled as yet, as I'm planning on making an enclosure for that first, but I've got a couple of diddy ones too, to play around with & see what the crack is. A Sculpfun C1, & a Acmer S1. The Acmer has a 6W laser module on it. This is one test I've done, on a piece of cardboard, just to get an idea of power settings, speeds etc.



These are the engravers.





Did try a photo, but not figured out a way of getting those usable for engraving, as yet. They look poor.

Tried both Lightburn & LaserGRBL, & decided to go with the latter. Just seem able to get on better with that. Want to get some practice with these for when I get the larger machine set up, so any hints/tips for general usage & scenarios are appreciated.

 

[My Old Landy]

LaserGRBL has the test square built in so I would suggest doing one for each material.
I mainly engrave slate and plywood. My S1 is 20w and I always run the test square for new materials.

 

[MattF]

Is that the test which gives you all those little squares within a square?

What laser unit is on yours? I take it you've upgraded it with a higher wattage laser unit?

 

[My Old Landy]

Is that the test which gives you all those little squares within a square?

What laser unit is on yours? I take it you've upgraded it with a higher wattage laser unit?

Yes that's the one.
My main unit is the xTool S1 that came as 20w as standard.
I have the Sculpfun 5w but haven't used it for a couple of years.
I also have the xTool F1 for portable use at craft fairs.

 

[MattF]

How does the Sculpfun perform in relation to the likes of the xTool? Worlds apart in quality &/or performance, or just much of the same?

 

[My Old Landy]

How does the Sculpfun perform in relation to the likes of the xTool? Worlds apart in quality &/or performance, or just much of the same?

Worlds apart sadly. The xTool did cost 5 times the Sculpfun but it has paid for itself. The F1 is really fast and allows me to personalise things at fairs.
It also has an IR laser and can mark any metal. I do brass coins that go down well

 

[MattF]

It also has an IR laser and can mark any metal. I do brass coins that go down well

I have got one of those IR units for the S9. Thought if I'm jumping in, may as well add metal engraving to the list. If I recall correctly, that unit cost more than the engraver.