Lasers Are HERE

[Joe Jones]

I realize that DesignEdge Software is awesome for drawing vector files and I know that the Plasmacam tables are pretty awesome in their own right. However, I can’t help but notice that there are literally dozens of affordable fiber lasers on the market now. I am shopping for a fiber, laser that will cut, perhaps a quarter inch material or maybe a bit less.

I received a quote for a Chinese fiber laser on a 5 x 10‘ open table format, similar to the Samson 510 table. Their quote for the table with a 2000 W fiber, laser was $16,000. I’m sure there would be some import fees and taxes, etc. but this is a 2000 W laser that can cut through 12 gauge material effortlessly.

I suppose that plasma cutting will always have a place in metal fabrication, for things like making gussets and saddles on a job site, but I am guessing that in three years time, if the entire world doesn’t fall apart, SERIOUS LASER tables will come down to the point where they are almost irresistible.

Joe

[acourtjester]

Joe you better look into cloning yourself, lots of equipment for a one man ship.

[Joe Jones]

Joe you better look into cloning yourself, lots of equipment for a one man ship.

The plan was to set up a magnificent shop with all of these tools and then maybe bring in some people to make the products I would sell. I even thought about bringing in high school students from the local high school to let them work in a shop environment on certain tools, but my insurance agent said it would be a liability nightmare.

These two 3-D printers that I am buying now and I’m currently in Alabama to pick up, are probably the last two large machines I’m going to buy. However, I am seriously looking at a 2000 to 3000 W fiber laser table. The prices have come down so low, it almost makes sense to buy one rather than buy a table at this point

Also, as with everything else, the competition is increasing. They used to be boss LASER, and a couple of other companies. Now there are literally 60 or 70 companies selling high-end large format, CO2 and fiber lasers. The current offer I have is for a 2000 W laser on a 5 x 10 table that will cut through 20 mm mild steel for under $16,000. When I look at plasma and everything that’s involved in that and what it produces, I am wondering why even bother with the plasma table anymore


Anyway, nothing seems to matter. I am moving forward as if we are going to still have a country in six months and the currency and the government, but I am highly doubting that that will actually exist soon.

Joe

[cutnweld]

Well. I like new machines too. But if they never get used, well, they may as well stay on the store floor. Or not? I wish you the best Joe, I would like to know where your money printer is tho

[Joe Jones]

Well, okay then!

I received an email from a Saudi prince who wanted me to help him smuggle billions of dollars out of the country by depositing a check into my account, and keeping only 40% of it for myself. I sent him back a check for the difference. I've been so busy buying things that I haven't had time to open all of these letters from my bank.

Joe

[Joe Jones]

I have my eye on a nice 4x8 1,000 Watt fiber laser table! I am currently the high bidder

This will cut 6mm mild steel, 2mm stainless steel, and other materials as well.

Only three days to go ... Wish me luck!

Joe

BS FIBER LASER LOT 108 11-11-24.jpg

LOT 108 FIBER LASER CABINET.jpg

[robertspark]

good luck, sounds like an impressive piece of kit

[Joe Jones]

I don't know how high I will go on this one. It is an awesome machine that works. I saw that the new cost is around $56K. So ... half that? Less? I have picked up some awesome deals at these auctions. Maybe this one will be the gold ring!

Joe

[cutnweld]

You should post a link to the auction so that we could all be the highest bidder!

[acourtjester]

Yah right me too.
I might go to $20.

[kn612]

https://www.bidspotter.com/en-us/auctio ... 05017f3396

[cutnweld]

Ha Kn612 that is only a 150 watt unit! No worries Joe, with me trying to buy a 100k brake right now I will not be bidding on any lasers.

[Joe Jones]

Ha Kn612 that is only a 150 watt unit! No worries Joe, with me trying to buy a 100k brake right now I will not be bidding on any lasers.

No, I thought so too. I contacted the manufacturer. It is a TABLE for a 150 watt CO2 laser, but it has a 1000 Watt FIBER LASER mounted to it. I checked. It will cut 6mm mild steel, 2mm stainless steel, and so forth. It should easily cut nice, clean 14 gauge metal art!

With the bidder's premium, sales tax and transport costs, my current bid results in a total cost of over $7,500.00

Joe

LOT 108 FIBER LASER TAG.jpg

[martyy]

FWIW- same image on these 2 auctions from Revelation Machinery. Not saying something is wrong here, just be sure to do your due diligence.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/315436812771
https://revelationmachinery.com/product ... aser-2022/

[Joe Jones]

I am in contact with the auction. I told them that the information is contrary, and if this is NOT a 1000 Watt FIBER LASER they are to forfeit my bid immediately.

Joe

[kn612]

What's the verdict on these Chinese laser machines? I know you get what you pay for, but for the diy crowd like myself could they be upgraded with different power supplies, laser heads, software etc. I only have 1ph power so that limits me to a 2kw but I wouldn't mind loosing cut capacity for a big increase in cut quality.

I think we will see quite a few of them on auction in the future

[cutnweld]

apparently BODOR makes a good table. 350k would get a complete setup from them including air filtration

[Joe Jones]

apparently BODOR makes a good table. 350k would get a complete setup from them including air filtration

Wait! Wha?!? Only $350K?

Okay! I called FS LASER in Las Vegas, directly. The man looked up the machine and told me it IS a 1000 Watt fiber laser. He wasn't sure if it is a single phase machine or a three phase machine, but he said it is only good for about 10 gauge mild steel. That is considerably less than their "6mm mild steel" claim. He also said it WILL NOT cut non-ferrous materials. I notified the auction about their misleading description.

Hmm ... ... A NEW Chinese machine in the 2kW range is $75K. I am less excited about an investment like that right now.

No surprise. Someone outbid my initial offer. I will probably NOT raise my bid.

I like the concept of cutting clean, crisp shapes out of 14 gauge cold roll steel with a fiber laser, but do I like it $20,000.00 worth?

Given the results of the election, and barring what I still believe will be the case (political discussion omitted HERE) I would not be opposed to jumping into a financing arrangement on a nice KERN fiber laser machine, but now we are talking about $200K+ That is a much more serious commitment to my future effort to Make Money In Metal Art!

Exciting times ...

Joe

[cutnweld]

350 WAS FOR A REAL, COMMERCIAL SETUP. eXCHANGE TABLE, 6KW LASER, ROTARY COMPRESSOR, AIR FILTRATION, THE WORKS. ENCLOSED UNIT NOT SIMPLY A TABLE WITH A LASER MOUNTED TO IT. OOPS I SEE CAPS LOCK IS ON SORRY

[Joe Jones]

I figured as much. Still, the bottom line is still over 1/3 MILLION dollars

I may make one more bid on this table. I have communicated with the auction house,t he company selling the laser, and the manufacturer. I am confident that I now know what it is, and what it is not.

Joe

[cutnweld]

Best wishes. If you want a laser that would be a inexpensive way to start I guess. I looked into buying fibre laser power source and cheapesti could find was 65K USD, then the head etc on top of that yet

[cutnweld]

just curious if you were the highest bidder then?

[Joe Jones]

No. I could not get an answer on the number of hours on the laser source. They told me it “cuts fine” but I didn’t want to buy it, ship it, and find out two months later that two months later I would need to lay out $50K for a new laser source.

I let this one go. It sold for $5,250.00

Joe