New Best Budget Laser ACMER S1

Acmer S1

I am beyond lucky to test and review some of the biggest, baddest, and most expensive desktop laser engravers.  So why am I so excited about the Acmer S1?  Why am I calling it the Best Budget Laser?

Answer:  Because it is.  It costs $100 for the 2.5 watt version and $119 for the 3.5 watt.  It can also be purchased from AliExpress for a bit cheaper.

I think that a lot of prospective new laser owners  think that they’ll make a ton of money doing crafty things.   People will spend a thousand dollars or more to buy the best laser they can find.  Shortly after you’ll see them on a forum saying they don’t know how to get started.

Or my personal favorite forum post is, “My machine broke and I have orders to fill.  This is unacceptable”.  Read on as the Acmer S1 is the cure for both of those problems.

The ACMER S1 comes fully assembled and costs $100 (for the 2.5 watt version).

Additionally, it operates as any other desktop laser engraver that uses GRBL code.   It has a respectable, albeit small, working size of 130 x 130 mm.
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Longer Nano Pro 12W Laser Review

Longer Nano Pro

I was recently provided a Longer Nano Pro 12W ($799) by the nice folks at Longer3D.  The Pro version is a 12 watt blue diode laser and a rotary extension and slide extension are included.

The Nano Pro  looks fairly similar to a Laser Pecker but I assure you this is a different beast.   The Nano only has one laser and does not contain the IR (1064 nm) laser as does the LP.  Consequently, that makes it quite a bit less expensive than the LP.

Without drudging up the past too much I went on record on my blog saying how much I disliked the Laser Pecker 4.   Because of the similar looks I kind of expected the Nano Pro to shake out the same way.  File this under “Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover”.

SPOILER ALERT:  I really, really like this machine.  It is simple, effective,  and the included Lightburn device file is exceptional.  I did find a quirk or two which I’d categorize as “Learning Curve”.  I’ll discuss that later.  This machine is the right size, the right power, and has the right amount of portability.  If you are a crafter or a scrapbooker the Nano or Nano Pro is custom made for you.
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TOOCAA L2 Laser Engraver Review

TOOCAA L2 Desktop Laser Engraver

I was recently provided a Desktop Laser Engraver from TOOCAA.  TOOCAA stands for “Tool Can Create Amazing Art”.  The laser that showed up on my doorstep is the TOOCAA L2, 20 Watt diode laser ($999.00).

Desktop laser engravers have been roughly the same up until recently.  In the last year or so there has been an explosion of upgrades and safety features.  The TOOCAA L2 certainly is carrying that torch into the future.  Where it really shines is in the realm of safety.
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Acrylic Sheet For Laser Cutting

If you use a laser for your side hustle it won’t be long before you begin to dabble with Acrylic Sheet for laser cutting.  From signage to keychains and everything in between, acrylic sheets can produce projects suitable for sales.  One of the major issues with acrylic sheet for laser cutting is sourcing the material.

A quick trip to Lowe’s, Home Depot, or the Craft store won’t get you much, if any selection.  I have been buying clear cast sheets from Home Depot for some time only to see the source dry up.  Additionally, there are different types of acrylic sheets.  Some are best for engraving, and some are best for cutting.

I have also sourced material from several manufacturers but never found the “perfect” acrylic.  I found my sources from laser forum discussions.  Conversely,  I have been around the block a time or two as it relates to acrylic sheet material.  It is tough to find a good source.
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Laser Buying Guide 2024

Laser Buying Guide

Welcome to my Laser Buying Guide for 2024.  Selecting a laser engraver is harder than ever before.   There are several types of lasers and more than a few selections within each category.

Over the years I have assembled many lasers and have sold more than a few.  And I seem to get asked the same questions over and over by prospective buyers.

Most new, prospective laser purchasers probably find out too late what their new laser can and cannot do.  It is important to understand the differences in laser types BEFORE you purchase one.
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Creality Falcon 2 Pro Review

Creality Falcon 2 Pro

I was recently provided a very cool laser to review from the innovators at Creality.  They are the Makers of excellent 3D printers and also desktop laser engravers.  I just got my hands on the Creality Falcon 2 Pro, 22 Watt Desktop Laser Engraver($1099).

I have to say this laser engraver has some very cool features not found in other desktop diode laser machines.  The list is quite substantial.

Buckle up for a cool laser ride.
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Algolaser Alpha MK2 Laser Engraver Review

Algolaser Alpha MK2

Around July of 2023 a new startup laser company, Algolaser provided me their first offering.  The machine was the  Algolaser Alpha which I subsequently reviewed here.  Algolaser, while technically a new brand, was founded by the originator of Ortur Laser.   Ortur was pretty much the first commercial seller of desktop diode laser engravers starting sales around 2019.  Graciously, they have just provided me one of their pre-release machines, the Algolaser Alpha MK2 ($749) to shake down.  Buyers can use the discount code MAX100 for an additional $100 off making the price $649.

Currently, my readers are also provided a mid year sale coupon code for the month of June for an additional $20 off.  The code is YTB$20 and it can be applied during check out. 

While the machines look very similar, the Alpha MK2 is slightly longer and contains a very nice touch screen on the front console.

MK2 Touch Screen

And without getting too much into the weeds yet let’s just say that the Alpha MK2 is a much smarter machine with a lot more features. The MK2 runs on embedded software that they refer to as Algo Operating System (AOG).  Power remains the same across both models at 22 watts.  That being said, the laser modules differ somewhat between the Alpha and the Alpha MK2.
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ACMER P2 33 Watt Laser Engraver Review

ACMER P2 33 Watt Laser Engraver

I recently reviewed the ACMER P1 S Pro and the ACMER P1 and now have been provided the ACMER P2 33 watt Laser Engraver ($799) to review.   At no time has ACMER attempted to influence the content of my reviews.  What you will read is exactly what I think.

I’d be remiss in not mentioning that ACMER is releasing their P3 IR and Diode Dual Laser soon!
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Laser Engraver Side Hustle Discussion

I’ve spent a lot more time on Laser Engraver forums lately and picked a few flowers out of those fields.  I’ll do my best to keep this brief and fun.

Poison Gas

Go to any laser forum and there is always one mama bear who will gasp with disbelief when some people post photos of the items they laser.  She (it is usually a she) will then post something like this:

“OMG, don’t you know that item releases Hydrochloric gas which will kill you and corrode your machine?”
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LaserPecker 4 vs xTool F1

LaserPecker 4

I recently got my hands on a LaserPecker 4 (LP4) and am giving it the old one, two.  Conversely, I already own an xTool F1 and thought it would be fun to do a head to head shootout with them.

Both have similar specifications.  And both contain a 2 watt 1064 nm IR laser, and a 450 nm blue diode 10 watt laser.  The working area is roughly similar on both lasers.  Additionally,  both have an extension conveyor and both can be used with a rotary device.

So you’d think that it would difficult to declare one to be better than other?  Trust me.  It wasn’t difficult to determine which one was better.

But we’ll get to that.
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