40W Chinese Laser - Engrave and Cut Leather - Discuss

[Billy Hell]

I am a maker of belts, holsters, wallets, etc. I hand tool everything I make. I have a Cowboy 3200 to handle most of my stitching. 

I had a friend request and interesting concept for some wallets to give as prizes at an air show aerobatics competition. 
It was suggested I use a laser for the precise map like cuts. I had look at a laser in the past but the cost was too much for a night time maker like me. 
electrathon pasted a link to a chinese 40 watt laster that is around $330. 

Since then I have been doing as much research on this as possible. I have the money but want to make sure I'm making the right decision. 
PROS
The entry price is doable. 
A 40w machine can do almost anything I need to leather. 
Things that can be done - engrave, cut, make stitching holes (not needed for me but good for other makers), and more. 

CONS
Wiring usually needs to be gone through.
Need to make sure the unit is grounded properly.
Provided water pump could be dangerous.
Software is dicey.
Only runs on Windows machines. 
I've read that cutting leather is really smelly. 
Lasers can blind you.

MY POSSIBLE USES
Cut out holsters and pieces cleanly and perfectly with laser. 
Create templates so the laser could burn in some very cool nuances that I would tool around. 
Try new things on notebook covers and wallets (design in Photoshop and then burn on). 
Learn the machine and then create things I have yet to think of. 

QUESTIONS
Can I create my designs on my Mac and then import them into the Windows software? 
With the provided fan can I get most of the bad smell outside?
Does anyone on Leatherworker use one of these units? 
Is it better to purchase from one seller over the other? If so who? 
Should I spend $100 to buy from Amazon? (Cheaper on eBay).
 

I'm pretty close to just pulling the trigger and taking the plunge. I would really like to hear from someone like me that already has done this. 
My biggest question is if the Chinese laser is worth the hassle. 

Links to the units I'm describing:

Amazon (the beauty here is that you can return it) $427.99
https://www.amazon.com/Engraving-Machine-Engraver-Cutter-Exhaust/dp/B01AJGFS7Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1497892156&sr=8-4&keywords=laser+engraver

Ebay Cheapest (This unit has minimal controls) $318 with shipping
I have to think there is no returning what you get. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Precise-40W-CO2-USB-Laser-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Engraver-Wood-Cutter-/200902245694?hash=item2ec6b4fd3e:g:fsUAAOSwFdtX146J

Ebay Upgrade (This appears to have a better control panel) $387
http://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-USB-Port-CO2-Laser-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Engraver-Cutter-W-Wheels-/152106266467?hash=item236a3d6f63:g:E-MAAOSwyltZQz1o

POST
Please post your thoughts, your research or your experience with these machines. 

 

[electrathon]

I'll jump in with what I know, it is admittedly limited. 

CONS
Wiring usually needs to be gone through.  I do not understand this statement.  What wiring?  Are you assuming it will not be wired properly out of the box?
Need to make sure the unit is grounded properly.  This is true with all modern electronics.  TV, stereos, washing machines.  Not sure why this is singled out.
Provided water pump could be dangerous.  Again, why?  Dangerous to use like a dishwasher, fish tank, water heater?
Software is dicey.  No real answer here but is runs on Corel Draw.  Massively popular software.
Only runs on Windows machines. 
I've read that cutting leather is really smelly. Very.  Use the exhaust fan and vent outside.
Lasers can blind you. If you could get your head into the machine and look at it as it runs you would be in a bad way.  I don't think this is possible.

My main concern with the machine is really only long term durability and the learning curve on how to draw.

[Billy Hell]

Laser videos:

 

 

 

 

[Billy Hell]

Need to make sure the unit is grounded properly.  This is true with all modern electronics.  TV, stereos, washing machines.  Not sure why this is singled out.
It has been shown that some of these unit will shock you and you need to ground it. Not something I usually deal with except in my old guitar amps. 

Provided water pump could be dangerous.  Again, why?  Dangerous to use like a dishwasher, fish tank, water heater?
Some of the provided pumps allow electricity to seep into the water and users have received a shock when checking water temp. Be aware. 

Software is dicey.  No real answer here but is runs on Corel Draw.  Massively popular software.
I'm a Mac guy. I do have a PC and some of these come with Corel and some don't. 

Only runs on Windows machines. 
I've read that cutting leather is really smelly. Very.  Use the exhaust fan and vent outside.
This is one of my main concerns since everyone in the house might have an issue with it. 

Lasers can blind you. If you could get your head into the machine and look at it as it runs you would be in a bad way.  I don't think this is possible.
I'm not too concerned but I saw a guy on Youtube using a mirror on a stick to see if the laser was cutting through. All I could think was, "STOP!!"

My main concern with the machine is really only long term durability and the learning curve on how to draw.
I'm a user of Photoshop and pretty good with Illustrator. I'm hoping I can do the majority of work on my Mac and then import it into Corel. 

[electrathon]

Need to make sure the unit is grounded properly.  This is true with all modern electronics.  TV, stereos, washing machines.  Not sure why this is singled out.
It has been shown that some of these unit will shock you and you need to ground it. Not something I usually deal with except in my old guitar amps.

If it is shocking you there is something seriously wrong.  A ground wire will make the circuit breaker blow by taking the circuit to ground, but that is not the cure for the issue, That is the band-aid.  If the housing is plastic, there is nothing to ground, if it is metal, then a ground wire is usually included.

Provided water pump could be dangerous.  Again, why?  Dangerous to use like a dishwasher, fish tank, water heater?
Some of the provided pumps allow electricity to seep into the water and users have received a shock when checking water temp. Be aware. 

Same response as above.  If this is a true issue, the fish tank pump is the issue, not the laser.

Software is dicey.  No real answer here but is runs on Corel Draw.  Massively popular software.
I'm a Mac guy. I do have a PC and some of these come with Corel and some don't. 

Only runs on Windows machines. 
I've read that cutting leather is really smelly. Very.  Use the exhaust fan and vent outside.
This is one of my main concerns since everyone in the house might have an issue with it. 

I fix things all the time.  if burning flesh was the worst smell I created I think people would be happy.

Lasers can blind you. If you could get your head into the machine and look at it as it runs you would be in a bad way.  I don't think this is possible.
I'm not too concerned but I saw a guy on Youtube using a mirror on a stick to see if the laser was cutting through. All I could think was, "STOP!!"

Moron.  I suspect if you pee in wall plug it may make your penis hurt, but it would never make me recommend that you remove the electricity from your house.

My main concern with the machine is really only long term durability and the learning curve on how to draw.
I'm a user of Photoshop and pretty good with Illustrator. I'm hoping I can do the majority of work on my Mac and then import it into Corel. 

Far better issue to deal with than if they had propriety software.

I will watch the videos and see what is being said.

[480volt]

If you buy this Chinese death trap, at least plug it into a gfci, and never, ever leave it plugged in when you are not monitoring it. 

Can you rent laser time somewhere, just to see if it does what you want?

[LatigoAmigo]

8 hours ago, Billy Hell said:

My biggest question is if the Chinese laser is worth the hassle. 

I own a 100 watt Chinese laser cutter, and use it successfully for engraving and cutting leather. You might find the smaller 40 watt unit not worth the trouble. Plus the work area on the 40 watt really puts a limit what you can do. I would take 480Volt's advice and see if you can rent a laser cutter (maybe at a "maker-space" if you have one nearby). There is a fairly steep learning curve to the software (I use Adobe Illustrator), and there almost always seems to be some technical issue with the files when marrying my designs to the laser cutter's software. The thing that I've learned in doing this for the past year is that even when leathers are the same weight, they can certainly have a varied response to the laser beam (cowhide, bullhide, buffalo; chromexcel, veg tan; stuffed leather, etc.). Some of these materials take several passes to make the cut.

[JD62]

thanks Billy, and all you guys for the info! I have been interested but not sure what to ask or who to ask!

[electrathon]

I am going to order one.  I will post after it is up and running to good and the bad that I find.

[LumpenDoodle2]

I've read up on the 40w machines too, and the opinion appeared to be that some do need a bit fettlin' with the wiring (loose fittings and connections).   Also the mirrors may not be aligned properly, and expect loose nuts/screws.    The water pump is also the first upgrade to be made.

It does appear though, that if you are prepared to accept that it may not work directly out of the box, and are willing (or able) to do what's needed, they are worth getting.   There again, who doesn't do a check over for loose parts on a new machine before they use it.

Biggest thing to check out, would be the supplier.    Some of the laser forums list the sellers who are more concerned with the quality of the laser engraver they sell than others.   Check that out, and buy from them.

Me?  I have no experience with lasers, so I bought a little A3 5w laser engraver.   It can do engraving, and will cut thin material.   More of a toy for me to learn about lasers than anything else, I suppose.     Because it is basically an open cnc plotter style frame, I can move it onto a hide or wooden surface of any size, and engrave a shape or image.    

I'd love to have at least a 40w machine, but have neither the space or confidence at the moment.   This is why I eagerly await further reports from electrathon.