stevecoco Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 Off to Glasgow next week to the Gravograph roadshow, looking at laser engravers. You guys that have lasers what questions should I be asking. I have done quite a bit of research on the machines, just want to know what your opinions are, and what market you are covering with your machine ie. what jobs do you do with them mainly. I am 85% sure about getting one just need that extra push. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi Steve glass,brass,stainless steel all engraved today questions do you need cylinder attachment? software level to be used?(basic is rubbish) what are you gonna get with it ie. training? and lots of samples for practising with. our biggest usage is with thermark/cermark so try and get a good price for that stuff as well Tell Michel what you want to pay for it dont be shy! good luck with what you do carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecoco Posted August 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 smart reply thanks jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecoco Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Think I need to ditch my accountant asked him a couple of questions, still awaiting a reply. SO....... When you guys upgrade/ buy new equipment, what is the best way of paying for it (I have the money to buy outright the laser). Or the most tax efficient way to buy it through the business, any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Break into Hibs shop and nick his. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecoco Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Whats the address I'll go tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Can't say...might implicate me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 LOL the money youve got will you miss it once its gone? if not pay for it outright. did you get a good deal? carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecoco Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Of course I'll miss it, could buy a half decent car with it. It was money given to me so would not use it other than save it. Wife s idea to buy a laser to add value to my business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 This depends somewhat on your business profits I believe. My (very basic) The laser machine is offset against profits so say it cost £10,000 and you made more than £10,000 profit this year you shouldnt pay any tax on this £10,000 portion saving you a fair bit of dough. If you didnt make that much though you would lose out as it cannot be carried over into next year. Leasing is different though, like renting it goes against profit over the years it is leased. Weigh up how much interest you save against tax savings, sometimes it isnt worth paying outright. This is what your non replying accountant should advise you about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
key cabin Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Don't just go for gravograph have a look at other laser machines, you will be amazed at what you can get for your money. U-Marq have a fantastic laser machine at a much better price, but that is just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecoco Posted September 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 I will check out U-mark and also Epilogue and see if I can get prices. Very impressed with the laser concept, can add great value to a business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted September 2, 2011 Report Share Posted September 2, 2011 I will check out U-mark and also Epilogue and see if I can get prices.Very impressed with the laser concept, can add great value to a business. also look at trotec i bought the rayjet machine from them much more helpfull than gravograph and a great machine thats why they got ma money. craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inscriptio Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 have a look at hpc website www.hpclaser.co.uk they have loads of info and there lasers are a fraction of the prices of most company's they also have there own forum so you can see what others are saying I will be buying a laser from them in the not to distant future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Fix Elgin Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Well well well..........might just buy the cheap one to see how it goes then if i get on with it I would upgrade at these prices its worth a punt... Thank you inscriptio and Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gardner Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Well well well..........might just buy the cheap one to see how it goes then if i get on with it I would upgrade at these prices its worth a punt... Thank you inscriptio and Kenny trust me don't buy a real one I've used a Chinese import One like them crap but u will be amazed the results with a good quality one and I don't like gravo but the back up and support from Trotec is excellent Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inscriptio Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Kenny trust me don't buy a real one I've used a Chinese import One like them crap but u will be amazed the results with a good quality one and I don't like gravo but the back up and support from Trotec is excellent Craig Kenny not for one second would I suggest buying a Cheep Chinese Imported laser I have heard all the horror stories arriving broken, unable to get to run, rubbish software, no support, language problems etc. HPC take away all these Issues. There are some Quality machines come out of china (Graphtec Expert 24 cutter) (Graphytyp GCC lasers) These firms would not put there names to Rubbish HPC machines I believe are quality machines some built to there own spec offering UK support, warranty, spares from stock. they will set up the machine for you & a large amount of installations are into schools, colleges @ university's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecoco Posted September 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Inscriptio do you have one of these machines, the prices appear crazy are they any good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inscriptio Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Inscriptio do you have one of these machines, the prices appear crazy are they any good. I don't have one yet but intend to buy one in the not to distant future. From what I have read and work I have seen they seem a very good buy. I like the idea that there is support in the UK & also spare parts also available in the UK & from what i can gather you are able to buy say a 40 watt machine & upgrade at at later date To 80, 100' or even 150 watt laser tube and power supply (may not apply to all the machines). From memory upgrade from 40 watt to 80 watt is just over a couple of thousand pounds have a look at there forum http://www.laserscript.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 i wouldn't bother upgrading to higher watts i run a 30 watt ls100 from gravo it engraves and cuts out all the lasereable laminates from gravo the black trophy plates i get from glenway come out really good too it can cut out 3mm perspex with ease, i have also cut out 10mm perspex with a few passes and a bit of faffing i know cebrian (awards for eternity) have invested in some chinese lasers, paul is always banging on how good they are i will try to find out what make and model they use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecoco Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 LS100 on its way from Gravo Andy. Any hints, tips, images etc gratefully recieved. I need to hit the ground running. There is no one up here with a laser. So trying to catch the market up here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 the black trophy plates from glenway laser great but the sheets of black ali from glenway do not laser that well get some external plastics from gravo, (gravoply ultra) 1.6mm thick white show black is popular with electrical companies for labels and so is white show red gold show black plastic is great for bench plaques and silver is popular too (gravolase metalics) 1.6mm thick but only go for the glossy finish in the metalics, brushed is a bit pants alumilaz is posh, it's gold ali that goes black when lasered, good for internal plaques (you can laquer it for outdoors) glass is the money maker, fraction of the time to engrave i have a lump of wood 10" square 2" thick sprayed black, this is great for most flat glass awards, you just hang the base over the edge and it sits flat and square. what i normally do is measure the award and do the layout to that then enter manual mode, increase the size to that of the wood board and centre it from left to right. dont centre it up/down. then to be on the safe side i always laser the wood first and lay the award over it to see if it looks cool. then you lower your bed back down so the depth guage is higher than the glass and run it. then just spray it black again ready for the next job. always get into the habit of making sure the depth guage is above whatever you are doing. otherwise it can wizz over and clout your job or get snagged up on a jig. i have bent mine a couple of times. and ripped the copper blow pipe off...lol the noise of it may give you a headache at first but you get used to it run the extractor fan when doing plastic or wood.....coff coff fire dont laser pvc. it's poisonous leave the film on the gravo plastics when cutting out shapes, it stops the edges burning if you are cutting out plastics you need the honeycomb table fing otherwise your nice flat shiney bed will get ruined have a mess with cutting out the plastics, you can cut out a plaque and fixing holes before you engrave it then remove the film then send over the text. try to get the hang of multi plate mode. you can chuck in loads of black trophy plates and wazz them all together with different engraving shiney silver and shiney gold things will not laser at all unless you faff about with cermark too much faffing in my opinion pay attention to my zapping tutorial, you will need it. glass engraving = corporate logos dont waste any time on putting photos on glass. it will suck the life out of you white switchplates are laserable, you know the ones you get in kitchens saying cooker, hob, washing machine you need to make a jig to hold those huff........shrug.......roll eyes.......... ah... glass engraving with bigger text and logos it's normally ok but for really fine detail glass engraving i lay some bog roll "juan sheet" over the glass and carefully paint on a small amount of bubbly water (wash up liquid) over the top, smoothing out the bubbles this keeps the glass cool and prevents any small splinters from goosing your nice logo that should keep you going peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenB Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Bloody hell, Andy that's an epic post. =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> You clearly intend to get your MOTY title back next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 show me the vouchers.......SHOW ME THE VOUCHERS.........SHOW ME THE VOUCHERS...... SHOW ME THE VOUCHERS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Hell, I'm coming with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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