I’m completely new to laser engravers but I’m hoping for some guidance to make a buying choice for a small, desktop model for DIY hobby work - hopefully somewhere in the region of USD1200-1500. The cost isn’t my chief concern but obviously, I want to avoid a) paying too much for a high-end machine I don’t really need or b) paying too little and ending up wasting money on something that doesn’t do the job.
My primary application is marking/engraving plain aluminium, stainless and other metal front panels for electronic gadgets eg “Power”, “On,” “Off” etc. The panels are usually no bigger than 200x200mm and between 1.5 - 2.0mm thick. I usually make the blanks using hand tools and a drill but if I can get a machine that can accurately cut the material this would be a huge bonus. I read somewhere however, that fiber lasers are not the best for cutting metals(?).
Based on what I’ve read, it seems I would need a fibre laser in the 20w to 30w range for engraving bare metal but after a solid week searching makes, models, specs. and reviews, I feel swamped by all the options and jargon.
I live in Singapore and would likely be ordering from AliExpress as they seem to offer the widest range of machines with names like Fonland, Raycus, Kindlaser, LiYang, Daja, Hunst, Cloudray and dozens more. I know nothing about any of them other than the advertised specs.
If any expert out there has any experience to share of a particular make or model they could recommend I look at (or avoid), I would be very grateful.
Thanks for reading!
Trevor