tabuktime 54 Posted November 20, 2017 Hi all, Seen a lot of these online lately: And wonder if anyone has any experience of using them. Would be nice to be able to create some designs on my PAM straps and also permanently mark my kids higher value stuff that they take to boarding school (phone cases, chargers, etc.). Any and all advice sought. Cheers Fellas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted November 20, 2017 I think I want one I have visions of engraving a sterile dial Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deju 1,872 Posted November 20, 2017 1 minute ago, Thommo82 said: I think I want one I have visions of engraving a sterile dial I have visions of you burning your hands Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted November 20, 2017 3 minutes ago, deju said: I have visions of you burning your hands Maybe I should let you go first Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tabuktime 54 Posted November 20, 2017 33 minutes ago, deju said: I have visions of you burning your hands You're supposed to remove the hands first, numpty! 29 minutes ago, Thommo82 said: Maybe I should let you go first A true gentleman... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narikaa 129 Posted November 20, 2017 No Mr Bond I expect you to die Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadPickle 2,746 Posted November 20, 2017 Poss group buy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RepGuy 108 Posted November 20, 2017 Just now, pickledbeetroot said: Poss group buy? What could go wrong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tabuktime 54 Posted November 20, 2017 5 minutes ago, narikaa said: No 'tiny' Mr Bond I expect you to die Fixed it for ya! Good mental image though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tabuktime 54 Posted November 20, 2017 14 minutes ago, pickledbeetroot said: Poss group buy? For $76? A buck a piece... 13 minutes ago, RepGuy said: What could go wrong Nothing ever goes wrong here... Saw another laser doodad thingy today, €14000. For engraving watch faces. Amazing... Put a video in the testing forum. That's a candidate for a group buy, of ever I've seen one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narikaa 129 Posted November 20, 2017 the very thing https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-LOT-OF-6-JAMES-BOND-007-CHARACTERS-FIGURES-GILBERT-60S/122806808014?hash=item1c97db2dce:g:QT4AAOSwwpdW5-p9 hours of whimsical fun n frolics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glaude 1,615 Posted November 20, 2017 Thoses laser engravers start popping on Amazon also. They are done by reusing old (or new) DVD/BluRay engraver for computers (you can see all the part if you look closely). They work very well but there's only one flaw : the working area, you are very limited in travel distance so you can't engrave big surface in one shot, you have to be clever about fixing and registering your workpiece if you want to move it to continue the engraving process. They can engrave pretty much any material if you find the right setting, leather is definitely an easy material for that. The software is crap but do the work. You can see various tests on YouTube with keywords like "Mini laser engraver" they are pretty much all the same in this price range. Depending on what you want to do, or rather how much you want to do it, you better off looking on Aliexpress for bigger models (even on Amazon but they cost more). If you are handy and have an old DVD Burner you can easily do it yourself there's a lot of tutorials on the web to do so, they require hardly any skills. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xpletiv 16 Posted November 21, 2017 "they require hardly any skills." Except the ability to NOT burn your hands Or sterilize oneself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted November 21, 2017 16 hours ago, Thommo82 said: I think I want one I have visions of engraving a sterile dial Nope, these cheapies don't engrave metallic or reflective surfaces. 13 hours ago, pickledbeetroot said: Poss group buy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tabuktime 54 Posted November 21, 2017 Gonna get this model, no base plate so it hasn't sit on top of larger/uneven pieces for engraving. Still only a 1.5Watt laser, but a larger working area of 8cm by 8cm. If I get the hang of if and find it more than a novelty I can always upgrade (and sell this one to one of you mugs here). I'll keep you informed of my progress and mishaps! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tabuktime 54 Posted November 21, 2017 14 hours ago, narikaa said: the very thing hours of whimsical fun n frolics We're gonna need a bigger laser! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brang1 4,008 Posted November 21, 2017 had one in my eBay basket for weeks, just haven't pulled the pin yet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted November 21, 2017 They're useless. I have one. More importantly, the app used to support these is useless. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brang1 4,008 Posted November 21, 2017 26 minutes ago, LightGeek said: They're useless. I have one. More importantly, the app used to support these is useless. well that sucks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glaude 1,615 Posted November 21, 2017 10 hours ago, trailboss99 said: Nope, these cheapies don't engrave metallic or reflective surfaces. You can on metallic surface, but it's a long pain in the ... and the result isn't even great at the end (If your laser hasn't fried in the process) 11 hours ago, Xpletiv said: "they require hardly any skills." Except the ability to NOT burn your hands Or sterilize oneself. If you burn your hand with a DIY laser project, you deserved it ! 7 hours ago, LightGeek said: They're useless. I have one. More importantly, the app used to support these is useless. Yes, the main grief is the app, you can manage to make it work with other app, but in the end, this is more a toy than anything else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LightGeek 25 Posted November 21, 2017 The Android app is leagues ahead of the iOS one — but it’s still pretty crappy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
