Pro’s and Con’s of Buying a Cheap Laser Cutter
It’s a question we're asked on a regular basis and naturally, we all have a budget we need to work within. But is buying a cheap laser cutter really worth it?
As with so many things, you get what you pay for. As you can imagine, we've seen it all, from £300 laser machines to £30,000 - So it really does depend on what you are wanting to get out of your laser machine.
Laser engraving machines are incredible pieces of engineering that can cut and engrave a wide range of materials. However buying a laser can be a daunting prospect but hopefully, In this article, we'll address a few topics which will hopefully help you make an informed decision when purchasing a laser machine.
In this article we will look at;
1. What is a laser cutter and how does it work
2. Pros of buying a cheap laser cutter
3. Cons of buying a cheap laser cutter
4. Final thoughts on the pros and cons of buying a cheap laser cutter
5. Things to consider when looking for an affordable yet high-quality laser cutter
Advantages of buying a cheap laser cutter
Affordability
A lot of people are buying cheap laser cutters from China, but why? There are so many possibilities for buying a real laser machine in your country rather than buying one overseas.
The main reason for buying a low-cost imported laser cutter is that you can buy them less expensively that way. Another possible reason to buy a cheaper laser cutter from China is that you have a tight budget.
You can also buy a cheap laser cutter because you don't have enough space for a big expensive CNC machine.
There are lots of reasons why buying a cheap Chinese laser cutter would be a good option, so if buying one overseas works for your needs – go ahead! As long as you know all the advantages and disadvantages of buying a cheap laser cutter, buying should be straightforward. Read on to find out more about buying Chinese laser cutters online.
Some would argue that buying an inexpensive imported laser cutter doesn't have any benefits at all - they are just bare machines that don't have safety features or protection from the elements.
Disadvantages of buying a cheap laser cutter
Laser Machine Training
When you purchase a cheap laser machine from outside of the UK, generally your laser won’t be provided with installation and appropriate on-site/remote training.
Unless you have previous experience, it's not as simple as plugging the machine in and pressing go. You need an understanding of;
Design software to create your artwork - generally the most popular design software used are Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Sketch, Autocad.
Software for layout, editing, and control software for your laser cutter. Generally, we recommend using Lightburn with our laser machines, but other machines might have to use other systems, some more limiting than others.
Naturally, it's also important to have a clear understanding of how your laser machine works and having a maintenance system in place to keep your laser in tip-top working condition.
Now the problem that will arise when you purchase a cheap laser machine is you will not be provided with the above support. So you need to be confident and driven to source this information yourself. Or maybe find someone UK based that can come and set-up your imported machine and provide you with the necessary training and advice. And yes, you guessed it ! Focused Laser Systems can certainly help you with that...
Laser Machine Safety
The main issues around buying a cheap laser, regardless of where they come from, will likely have faulty parts, inferior optics, and patchy customer service.
Unless you are able to troubleshoot, fault find, and repair parts or components yourself then we would suggest spending a little more on a reputable company that can offer you a good warranty and aftercare service.
If you are a hobbyist and the occasional downtime isn’t an issue, then the risk might be worth it for some. But just be aware of the wiring and safety features they have, we see so many of these cheaper laser machines that come directly from China and they're a hazard waiting to happen.
Laser Machine Warranty
When you purchase a cheap laser machine, generally they will come with very little genuine warranty and support. Which could mean you will find yourself in need of replacement parts sooner than you think. These quite often can be expensive to replace, and not all overseas manufacturers will be in as much of a rush to honour your warranty claim as you are for replacement parts.
Returning your Laser Machine
One of the main drawbacks (which is quite often how people get stung) is the return postage. Most cheap laser cutters purchased online outside of the UK will not cover return postage costs for refunds, even in the case of a fault with the laser. So again, if you are looking to purchase from overseas, take the time to do some more research before committing to a purchase.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve spent a lot of time researching and reading reviews about the different types of laser cutters on the market, but you still can’t decide which one to buy for your business. Maybe we can help! We have co2 lasers that are perfect for small-batch production and manufacturers with low volume needs, as well as other models in larger formats that offer more versatility in how they work. Equally, we would be more than happy to provide any advice we can on any particular machines you have been looking at overseas, or in the UK.
Get in touch today by filling out our short form or calling us at 0333 339 2477 to see what's right for you!
