2022 Buying Guide
Welcome to my 2022 Buying Guide for laser engravers! Below, you’ll find everything you need to start your own laser engraving business, or expand the one you’re already running. This is the gear you need to kill it in the laser scene and these lists include links to all of the secret sauce I use to bring my A game every time I enter the shop. Take a close look at the items below and as always if you have any questions you can reach out to me (or any of the awesome folks) over on our Discord server.
Lasers
Every single one comes HIGHLY recommended by me and the staff.
The Mactron JPT Fiber Laser system is one of the best on the market and has absolutely produced long lasting results despite the abuse it’s faced from me over the years.
You get a slew of awesome features including 10,000mm/s max speeds, 1-600khz frequency range standard, and 30 or 50 watts of metal eating power.
The Mactron CO2 galvo system features a US-made Coherent 30w CO2 laser source that’s well built, dependable and versatile.
When paired with a 20mm head and 6x beam expander you can expect fiber-like quality with organics and all the tumbler marking performance you can hope for.
If plastics and glass are in your sights for laser marking then look no further. With a super effective 355nm beam you’ll be marking a full range of synthetics, silicon and can even cut glass!
Complete the holy trinity with the same great Mactron build quality we’ve come to adore on Laser Everything.
Ol’ Reliable – well kinda. While you have to be kinda handy to wield one of these with grace, it is a supremely effective tool and a vital part of everyone’s laser line up if they want to enter the laser space. Sure, everyone and their grandmother has one – but if you can’t do what they can do you’re at a disadvantage.
Our first recommendation for a fiber shipped from the USA. The SFX JPT Fiber Laser options are something new to our studio, but have shown to be of great quality thus far. Consider getting additional lens options, available below. Review to come, on the Laser Everything Youtube channel.
Parts and Accessories
If you’re looking to add more functionality or get the most out of your laser, these items may help!
The fiber tower replacements are great if you are needing that extra Z height from 500mm to 800mm tall. Gives you flexibility on focal distance for large projects, or if you want to switch between motorized or manual tower.
Laser Lenses
Laser Eye Protection
Outstanding CO2 and UV protection. Very bright and easy to see with high VLT. Supreme NoIR quality.
190-360 7+
10600 7+
93% VTL
Great Fiber and good UV protection. Darker than YG5 but slightly better protection. Supreme NoIR quality.
190-400 6+
750-1120 6+
800-1100nm 7+
37% VLT
Great Fiber and decent UV protection. Brighter than YG4 but slightly lower protection. Supreme NoIR quality.
190-400 5+
1025-1075 5+
1035-1070 6+
1045-1065 7+
55% VLT
Excellent UV and Blue Diode protection. No Fiber or CO2. Darkest lenses, mediocre visibility. Safest option for diode owners. Supreme NoIR quality.
190-532 7+
750-820 7+
23% VLT
FreeMascot Laser Safety Glasses are the eye protection we used to recommend before upgrading our protection to NoIR eyewear. While the NoIR eyewear hands down offers the ultimate protection, they may be less than affordable for some of you. If you’re less risk adverse and on a tight budget you can check out the FreeMascot offerings here:
Electronics
Best Performance
14″ 1080P IPS | 11th Gen Intel
Quad-Core i7-1165G7 4.7GHz
32GB DDR4 RAM
1TB NVMe SSD
Backlit Keyboard, WiFi 6, HDMI
Best on a Budget
15.6″ 1080P | 11th Gen Intel
Quad-Core i5-1135G7 4.2GHz
12GB DDR4 RAM
256GB PCIe SSD
Backlit Keyboard, WiFi 6, HDMI
EZcad/Galvo Laser Friendly Upgrades and Replacements
Shop the Staff Recommendations
SAFEST Laser Glasses ($$$)
FreeMascot 10600nm CO2 Safety Glasses
FreeMascot 1064nm Fiber Safety Glasses
Awesome Laser Engraving Jigs
Zeiss Lens Wipes
CLASSIC Starrett 135A Bubble Level
LESS EXPENSIVE Digi-Pas 1300XY Level
EXPENSIVE Digi-Pas 1500XY Level
Laser Lenses
Panavise Junior 201
Panavise 350
Cloudray Ultimate Air Assist
Irwin Tools Drill Press Vise
Kidde Dry Chemical Extinguisher
Kidde CO2 Extinguisher
Sony ZV-1 Compact Camera
Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera
Mid Range Neewer Photo Light Box
$20 Jiusion Microscope
$40 Jiusion Microscope
DataVac Electric Duster ESD Version
Hand Air Puffer
Etekcity Infrared Thermometer
Precision Tweezers Set (Steel)
Precision Screwdriver Set
X-ACTO #2 Knife
B&S Twin-Cal Caliper
Starrett EC799A Digital Caliper
AC Infinity CLOUDLINE S8
AC Infinity CLOUDLINE S6
Mardatt Star Knobs
Tony’s Little Center Finding Tool
Rotary Engraving
This is the big chungus of rotary devices. Manufactured by my best friends over at Mactron this thing is a beast and it’s ready to help you knock out tumblers, cups, mugs and whatever else you might want to throw at it. Super easy to set up! Guides on the YouTube channel included. Obviously, highly recommended.
This rotary tool is much more compact. It’s a bit short to be doing tumblers and cups but it’s AMAZING for working with rings and jewelry along with other small parts. If you’re more into working on jewelry than tumblers this rotary is going to serve you really well.
Don’t skip it!
After much debate the staff agree – The absolute best value and quality for gantry. All Rolling surfaces are ball bearing supported and precision is enhanced with aluminum timing gears and a fiberglass filled closed loop timing belt. Assembly takes approx. 10 minutes, and lightburn software values are engraved onto the rotary for safe keeping.
Exhaust and Extraction
The Vivosun moves just an absolutely ridiculous amount of air and absurdly quiet. This centrifugal fan makes a great main unit for a flawless exhaust system with any laser system big or small.
This rotary tool is much more compact. It’s a bit short to be doing tumblers and cups but it’s AMAZING for working with rings and jewelry along with other small parts. If you’re more into working on jewelry than tumblers this rotary is going to serve you really well.
Don’t skip it!
Not recommended for CO2 lasers, but great for fiber lasers where exhausting outdoors is not an option! The indoor 80w motor and 3-stage filter are an effective and inexpensive option for extraction.
An 8-speed manual PWM controlled EC motor makes this fan quiet and energy efficient. Great for exhausting gantry lasers and pairs great as a near-laser booster with the Vivosun OR works great alone.
An 8-speed manual PWM controlled EC motor makes this fan quiet and energy efficient. Great for exhausting galvo lasers and pairs great as a near-laser booster with the Vivosun OR works great alone.
Ducting, Clamps, Dampers and Splitters
Prefilter for Soot, Dust and Debris
H11 HEPA – Particles down to PM0.5
Activated Charcoal for Fumes and Gasses
Chillers and Cooling
