When comparing CNCShop Laser Engraving Machine 130W vs Glowforge Pro Plus, the Slant community recommends CNCShop Laser Engraving Machine 130W for most people. In the question“What are the best laser cutters?” CNCShop Laser Engraving Machine 130W is ranked 2nd while Glowforge Pro Plus is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose CNCShop Laser Engraving Machine 130W is:
This is a very high precision machine, it has an accuracy of 0.4 mil (2500 dots per inch). This cutting precision is perfect for woodworking.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Excellent precision
This is a very high precision machine, it has an accuracy of 0.4 mil (2500 dots per inch). This cutting precision is perfect for woodworking.
Pro Perfect for cutting thick wooden plates
This is a powerful laser cutter. Its CO2 tube can generate a 130 W laser beam. If focused correctly, the beam can cut through ¾" plywood on a single pass. The 130W of cutting power is just right for wood cutting, as more powerful lasers will ignite the wooden workpieces.
Pro Large working area
The working area of this laser cutter is 55" x 35". This is noticeably more than the 12" x 20" building areas offered by hobby series FSL and Glowforge machines. This CNCShop laser cutter will comfortably fit a standard A0 sheet (33.1" x 46.8").
Pro Router rotary attachment for cutting cylindrical objects
This laser cutter is capable of cutting cylindrical shaped objects. The only thing required to do it is getting a $219.99 router rotary attachment. It is entirely compatible with all the CNCShop laser cutters and engravers and the software is prepared to use this function. This accessory can be used for operations such as cutting or engraving pipes, glasses, and bottles.
Pro Ideal for small business needs
Even though this is not an industrial-grade machine, it still has decent production capabilities. Due to its high versatility and proper precision (up to 1/1000"), this device is perfect for repetitive applications in small production runs.
Pro Good cutting capacity
The machine has enough power to cut through ½ inch hardwood.
Pro Enclosure protects the operator from harm
The enclosure protects the operator from the harmful laser beam, fumes, and smoke.
Pro Durable and sturdy
The body of this machine is made from high-quality metal, glass, and plastic. All the parts are both durable and professional looking. Everything is CNC machined.
Pro Cross-platform software
The software is capable of running on almost any iOS, Android, Windows and Linux machines.
Pro Build space is large enough for most home/small business needs
The build area of this laser cutter is 11.5" x 20". This is more than enough for regular home needs, as well as small business needs. The pass-through feature allows you to cut or engrave very long sheets of material.
Pro Can blow fumes away
The cutter uses an air compressor to blow fumes away from the laser beam. It prevents ignition and accidental damage to the lens.
Pro Built-in water cooling
A closed-loop water cooling system is built into the machine. There is no need for an additional external water pump or a water cooler.
Pro Efficient, easy-to-use software
The software provided by Glowforge is fantastic. It is entirely cloud-based, meaning that all the work happens on the server side. The user interface is very intuitive and all the features are user-friendly. Additionally, you will not need to track and install the latest software updates manually, which is an important advantage about cloud-based applications.
Pro Comes with a custom laser tube
This 45W laser cutter is, in fact, more powerful than the overwhelming majority of 45W CO2 laser cutters available in the market. The thing is that Glowforge developed their own CO2 laser tube. The given tube is extremely efficient due to its 'Mode 0' design (it provides greater power density).
Pro No need for manual adjustments
The manufacturer permanently adjusts all the optical equipment. When required, the lenses can be auto-adjusted by the machine itself.
Pro Honeycomb base plate ensures good heat transfer
A thick, honeycombed baseplate is a standard feature of this laser cutter. This baseplate design allows for good heat transfer between air and the workpiece.
Cons
Con Expect to buy a water chiller
Initially, the CO2 laser tube of the machine is cooled with the aid of an included water pump. However, this system has a problem, since water in a reservoir heats up quickly, reducing the efficiency of the cooling system. Adding a chiller to the loop ensures that the water is 'chilled' before entering the CO2 laser tube, thus, enhancing the cooling performance.
Con Can't work without an Internet connection
Due to the fact it uses a cloud-based software, without an Internet connection, this laser cutter is useless.
Con Can't cut metal
This laser cutter is not capable of cutting metal.