The best laser engraver for metal may not be as expensive as you think. While laser cutters and engravers were formerly considered luxury items reserved for larger enterprises, more inexpensive choices are available. They’re still not inexpensive, but if you want to conduct laser cutting or engraving on a variety of materials in your own house, including metal, it’s possible.
Despite the proliferation of alternative materials, metallic materials continue to serve as workhorses for the industrial sector. They offer a one-of-a-kind mix of thermal conductivity, sturdiness, chemical resistance, and use. Metalworking requires the ability to cut, engrave, and mark metals to function properly.
A typical tool in sectors that use metals, such as production, engineering, and jewelry creation, laser engraving equipment for metal has evolved. The machines help to improve traceability, which is a critical component of quality control.
To do this, manufacturers have begun to develop laser engraving equipment that is specifically intended for metals. An overview of the most popular is provided below:
PRO TIP: In reality, there isn’t a single good or bad engraving machine among those on this list. You may want something with significant cutting power, while others may require something as a hobby device or to aid in the development of their burgeoning Etsy or Online Business.
Top 5 Laser Engravers for Metal Reviews:
1. ORTUR Laser Master 2:
Product Specification
- Brand: ORTUR
- Product Weight: 7.28 Pounds
- Model: Laser Master 2
- Output Power: TRUE 10W
In addition to being one of the quickest and most powerful laser engravers on the market, the Ortur Laser Master 2 also offers one of the biggest engraving areas available.
Aside from that, it offers excellent safety features and may be the ideal solution for most wood and metal laser cutting jobs.
The Ortur Laser Master 2 is equipped with several outstanding safety features. Because it is equipped with G-sensors, it can detect unintended movements and, as a result, halt the laser beam, averting any mishaps.
It also contains anti-fire measures to compensate for any human mistakes that may occur during the engraving process as well. In addition, it comes with a pair of safety glasses in the box.
Even though this engraver has a bigger engraving area than the other machines that can engrave both wood and metal, it is still remarkably light in comparison to the others.
With a weight of only 3Kg, it is still one of the lightest engravers on the market. It, however, combines the best of both worlds – a large engraving surface while remaining lightweight and portable, allowing it to be used anywhere.
Bottom Line:
This is such a low-cost entry point into the realm of lasers, which makes it a fantastic choice. However, even if diode lasers are not quite as strong as other types of lasers, they begin to open up possibilities, particularly if you are seeking to engrave.
And this is the machine I will recommend in the future if you are looking for a diode laser machine. Because of the low price and big work surface, it is an excellent value.
- The engraving area is rather large.
- Exceptional safety features.
- Swift and Accurate.
- Because it is lightweight, it is easily portable.
- Quite reasonably priced.
- Assembly is necessary but might be difficult.
- Not for newbies.
Customer Reviews:
“The laser is quite effective. We’re using it to engrave cheese boards, which is really cool. It’s simple to use, and the engraving is precise and exact. Our work area is large enough to accommodate engraving on a number of different wood boards.”
2. Triumph Fiber Laser Marking Deep Engraving Machine for Metal:
Product Specification
- Brand: TRIUMPH
- Product Weight: 308 Pounds
- Model: TR-F30MS
- Laser Type: Fiber Lasers
- Laser Power: 30W
- Engraving Speed: <9000MM/S
When it comes to creating permanent engraving on metal parts, this state-of-the-art laser marking equipment is unsurpassed. It has a maintenance-free working life of 100,000 hours and requires no maintenance. You will also like the touch interface functionality and the modular design that is unique to this product.
The gear is fitted with a faster scan galvanometer that is state-of-the-art. This function improves the output of high-quality scanning results by providing greater precision and accuracy.
The laser engraver (up to 30W) is suitable for operating on more complex surfaces with changing angles. Furthermore, it uses a specialized flight control system that is simple to operate and provides efficient performance.
Its high power output makes it simple to operate on vast surface areas of metals such as gold, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and silver.
This machine’s optimal operating temperatures are between 10 and 35 degrees Celsius, with less than 75% relative humidity during operation.
Bottom Line:
We were impressed by its user-friendly touch interface and effective control system. It was easier to work on projects with this functionality than with any other laser engraver we used previously. Because of its modular architecture, which isolates the laser generator from the lifter, we found it far more versatile than its competitors.
- Low upkeep.
- The manufacturer provides free maintenance.
- The use of air conditioning accomplishes heat management.
- Has a rapid rate of acceleration.
- Heavy and obtrusive.
- Extremely costly.
Customer Reviews:
“I bought this machine a few months ago and used it once a week. Easy setup. The machine’s instructions should be more explicit. What I use it for is aluminum and stainless steel. My requirements are basic, but I need quality. So much more than I will ever need or utilize.”
3. 100W RECI CO2 Laser Cutter Engraver Machine:
Product Specification
- Brand: Luoyang Xincheng Precision Machinery Co.Ltd
- Product Weight: 748 Pounds
- Model: CW3000
- Engraving Speed: 0-60000mm
- Cutting Speed: 0-50000mm
- Laser Type: Reci W2 CO2 Laser Tube
If you want to expand your DIY toolkit with laser and cutting equipment, the RECI engraver is a fantastic value for money. It is a stand-alone unit that needs a certain level of technical expertise to operate.
When operating at full throttle, the machine achieves an amazing one m/s cutting speed. It becomes a logical alternative for DIYers who want to commercialize their metal engraving efforts as a result. A lot of typical hobbyists may find the machine to be a touch too strong for their purposes.
This machine will be an excellent investment for the ordinary DIYer seeking an industrial-grade engraving machine for metalwork. First and foremost, its construction is robust enough to support industrial-grade tasks. Furthermore, because it is 900mm by 600mm, you can be assured that it will handle any DIY sheet job admirably.
It is also necessary to turn up the cooling system once it has been turned on. The machine will not survive as long if it does not have a cooling system. The RECI laser engraver is equipped with an integrated air-cooling system, which eliminates the need to do time-consuming capacity cooling calculations.
Bottom Line:
The CO2 laser tube you seek is a low-cost, high-quality replacement for your laser cutter or engraver. You have found it! Using the RECI model W4 100w laser tube, you can replace those old, damaged, or worn-out laser tubes that are difficult to come by and repair.
- For mechanical and electrical designs.
- Languages supported: (English, Spanish, French).
- A cooling system to remove flammable gases.
- Not for engraving or cutting big metal parts.
Customer Reviews:
“Overall, the high quality of laser technology has had an indelible effect on my mind and soul. Even though there were a few issues with the delivery, Julie Lee remained on top of things and handled them quickly. I would suggest this company because of the amazing service and help that they provided.“
4. Top Direct 3w Mini Desktop Laser Engraver for Metal:
Product Specification
- Brand: Top Direct
- Product Weight: 2.92 pounds
- Color: Black
- Item Weight: 2.92 pounds
- Color: Black
- Wattage: 3 watts
The small laser is an excellent etching machine for both beginners and intermediate users. Because of its high etching speed, which ranges from 0.02-0.2 seconds per pixel, it is ideal for carving materials like iron, stainless steel, and aluminum. The machine is approximately 2.4 kg in weight, making it extremely portable for minor engraving tasks.
Supports Windows 7, 8, and 10 operating systems. This is a significant benefit for those who use various desktop computers running a variety of operating systems. Because of the machine’s interoperability with various operating systems, you are not confined to utilizing it with a single device.
Because of the employment of a brief route algorithm, the etching speed may be increased to 0.02-seconds per pixel on the laser engraving machine. In addition, the algorithm guarantees that the explanatory rate is 30 times quicker, resulting in a high engraving speed.
When using the TopDirect Laser Engraving device, you will not need to utilize any extra translation program if your mother tongue is not English. The machine supports a variety of languages, including English, Chinese, etc.
Bottom Line:
We like the idea that the computer was practically completely built. As a result, all that remained was to attach the cross-rail and laser device to the cross-rail cart. Additionally, the pre-installed driver program makes it easy to install any of the available relevant applications. The idea that it includes a graphics designer and that the software is pre-loaded onto the USB stick and mini-CD was particularly appealing to us.
- Excellent precision.
- USB connection is included.
- Simple to assemble.
- Programming can be Disappointing.
- Allows for laser control at a reasonable range.
- This version does not support Mac devices.
Customer Reviews:
“It is quite satisfactory for a first machine; I bought it to learn laser engraving and have been pleased with it thus far. The software is simple, and while it may take some time for new users to become familiar with the options and setups, it is enough for minor tasks.“
5. Kohstar Laser Engraving Machine:
Product Specification
- Brand: KOHSTAR
- Product Weight: 138 kg
- Product Model: B0757SKH3R
- Larger Size: 400*600mm working area
- Water Cooling: 35W Water Pump
- Rotary Axis: Cylindrical Object
- Exhaust Fan: 38W exhaust fan
Due to its customizable power and speed settings, as well as cutting capabilities, this is the perfect do-it-yourself laser engraving equipment. The machine includes an air assist function that enables flammable gases and heat from the cutting area. Additionally, it features an integrated exhaust fan with a 5.27 m/minute flow rate.
The workspace is rather vast, especially if you enjoy playing with many things concurrently. It serves as a worksheet and is ideal for large projects.
The machine features a rotating axis, allowing you to work with spheres and cylinders. As a result, you may easily sketch various patterns with the touch of a mouse.
What makes the Kohstar laser engraver unique is its pace of cooling flow. When engraving items, it is critical to keep the machine cold to maximize productivity. It prevents the requirement for external extraction.
Bottom Line:
Its adaptability was a particular favorite of ours! It became an excellent professional engraving machine with the ability to customize its height, speed, and power. While working on multiple projects, we just had to customize each one to achieve the optimum outcomes.
- Supplied with an exhaust fan.
- Has a rotating axis as an option.
- The speed can be adjusted.
- Perhaps it does not offer the best value for money in its price range.
Customer Reviews:
“The item was extremely carefully packed, with the bigger components nested firmly within the packaging to prevent harm to the smaller components. A little plastic sorting container with all of the pieces properly labeled is included with the package. Ultimately, I felt the machine to be very enjoyable and simple to construct, and it appears to be quite durable once it is up and running.“
Buyer’s Guide for Laser Engraving Machines
Purchasing a laser engraver for metal is a substantial financial commitment. It is not just about the initial capital expenditure but also about its influence on the entire production process resulting from the decision.
If you purchase faulty equipment, you will be left with an irrevocable decision for an extended period. Things are critical to getting it right from the beginning.
Here’s how it’s done:
1. CO2 or Fiber Technology:
There are two types of lasers in the industrial market: new solid-state fiberglass lasers and CO2 gas lasers. Fiber lasers, which were introduced in 2008, have become more popular than CO2 gas lasers.
Fiber laser-making technology uses banks of diodes to create the laser beam channeled through fiber-optic cables to be amplified with a resonator before being applied to the workstation.
A good laser engraver isn’t as pricey as you believe. There are various alternatives for acquiring a home laser engraver for metal that is not nearly as expensive as before.
However, while this type of equipment used to be prohibitively expensive, newer versions have made it more accessible, with prices starting at approximately $1200 for entry-level devices and up to more than $2000 for higher-end professional models.
While still a significant investment, this is a far cry from the $5000+ versions available ten years ago. In other words, whether you’re seeking to undertake some personal projects or want to get into small-scale businesses such as laser cutting and engraving, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t check into home laser systems!
2. The Machine’s Dimensions and Strength:
You may not be aware that the size of the machine’s bed is determined by the amount of material that can be accommodated when cutting or engraving. Machines with bigger beds can cut or engrave a huge number of parts at the same time, while machines with smaller beds can handle bits of a smaller size.
Additionally, the working area of the machine (also known as its ‘bed’) should be considered because it determines how large the device can handle an area. If your job requires you to cut or engrave more than one item at a time, we recommend that you look for machines with larger working areas.
Lasers are well-known for their ability to cut and engrave a wide variety of materials with precision. In particular, one very significant aspect must be taken into account: the amount of power that the laser has to deliver when it comes to lasers.
Any laser that intends to carry out a certain operation must have sufficient power to complete the task at hand. For example, in the case of laser engravers, we know that most of them have a power output of about 300-W or higher.
In reality, if you want to get the finest possible results while cutting or engraving different types of metals, you will need a laser with a power of more than 300 W at your disposal. These lasers can cut thin metal sheets, but bigger metal sheets will require a laser with a power of 500 or more watts since they require greater power levels to accomplish the desired results.
3. Material Handling:
When considering the purchase of an automated laser cutter, there are several considerations to bear in mind. Will the system be utilized by a single individual or by a group of people? Consider the implications of requiring employees to physically load materials onto and off the machine after each job runs regarding accessibility and safety.
The question is, how can you design your laser engraver system such that its workflow is as efficient as possible to process goods more quickly? There may be a lot to consider, but our years of expertise in this business have shown us that each factor is critical to examine before making a purchasing decision.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is laser engraving a lucrative business?
The straightforward answer to that is yes. Make laser engraved goods in your home and sell them for a profit with relative ease.
How many watts do you need to engrave metal with a laser?
For metal laser cutting or engraving, it is suggested that you use at least 50 watts of Fiber laser power.
When it comes to making jewelry, what is the best metal laser engraver to use?
The Dremel 290-01 120 Volt Engraver Rotary Tool is the most effective laser engraver for jewelry engraving tasks.
Conclusion:
We understand that selecting the most appropriate laser engraver might be a difficult task. There are so many options and features to choose from that may make your head spin with the possibilities.
We do, however, wish to assist you in making an educated selection as well. You may find this article to assist in searching for the best laser engravers for a small company. We hope you will take the time to look at the products we have included in our list of the best laser engraver for your needs.
