Aufero 1.0 w/ 5.5W Long Focus Laser Engraver

1n4one

Mar 30, 2023 12:44 AM

519 Comments

Joined May 2018

1n4oneMar 30, 2023 12:44 AM

519 Comments

Quote from shaqweek

:

Looks like a great way to inhale a lot of toxic fumes.

"I did not inhale..." -Bill Clinton.

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CoreyR2384

Mar 30, 2023 2:17 AM

1.9K Comments

Joined Nov 2018

CoreyR2384Mar 30, 2023 2:17 AM

1.9K Comments

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Quote from PurplePlanter126

:

Not really.. proper ventilation and caution is required for resin printers and laser cutting machines... cutting certain materials with a laser produces toxic fumes. smoke inhaltion from even wood cutting is not good for you - especially if you cut exotic species!

This^. I'll also add that proper eye protection is mandatory, and I wouldn't trust the cheap ones that these come with. Repeated exposure to even splashback WILL damage your eyes, even if it doesn't show up until years later. Splashback occurs when the laser reflects off of the material you're engraving. It's invisible, you usually can't feel it, and you usually won't notice until a few years later when you're eyes deteriorate (cataracts, etc). I wouldn't recommend an unshielded laser cutter in any room that children or pets are able to get access to. You can build a shielded enclosure to rectify this, but it will more than likely cost more than this engraver. Just some things to think about since most people learn pretty quickly that they need ventilation, but I know plenty of people that ran their lasers without proper eye protection because they didn't know how important it was. It's invisible, you won't feel it, and most people don't read instructions.

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razor7

Mar 30, 2023 2:38 AM

881 Comments

Joined Oct 2016

razor7Mar 30, 2023 2:38 AM

881 Comments

Quote from ssaxe01s

:

Engraving quality is similar, acc to this expert.
Also, focal distance is fixed on both. Shorter for Short focus and longer for long focus.
Short focus supposedly has higher resolution for engraving, but not a real world difference.
For cutting, Long focus is better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GRBV_Cf1is

That 12yr old kid does videos much better and more professionally than most "influencers" and makes my speaking skills look extremely juvenile.

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dchang0

Mar 30, 2023 2:40 AM

1.2K Comments

Joined Jun 2019

dchang0Mar 30, 2023 2:40 AM

1.2K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from MellowHalibut9900

:

Noob question. When would I use a short focus Lazer over a long focus?

I had the same question and watched a bunch of YouTube videos comparing the two.

Essentially:

a) short focus can achieve a smaller focal point

b) long focus can cut thicker materials, also comes with free air assist attachment

I ended up choosing the long focus on the last deal and do not regret it. The only downside I have run into so far is that I have to make sure I have a deep laser bed when cutting so that the laser doesn't burn/cut the table top. That would have been much less of a problem with the short focus version, but then I wouldn't have the free air assist attachment that I will someday use.

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dchang0

Mar 30, 2023 2:45 AM

1.2K Comments

Joined Jun 2019

dchang0Mar 30, 2023 2:45 AM

1.2K Comments

Quote from luckygecko

:

I bought the larger Aufero 2.0 unit with 5watt laser long focus. I got it together, but have not tried it yet.

For me, they shipped fairly quickly. They sent it from Amazon's inventory.

I may buy the 1.0 above just to get the short focus laser. (which go on sale for $80 when they are in stock, but this is a complete working unit with spare parts if I needed)

I also bought the 2.0 with long focus on the last deal.
It works great, BUT you'll find out immediately that it lacks limit switches and then find out that adding limit switches is possible but non-trivial.

The workspace of the 2.0 is much larger and thus more versatile. I am currently using mine to cut synthetic fabrics (nylon, polyester) for sewing my own ultralight or lightweight packs. Short focus would have been better for cutting thin fabrics, BUT the long focus includes an air assist nozzle that is helpful to prevent scorching. When I get a decent air compressor I'll start using the air assist.

The big advantage to the 1.0 is the tiny size--it does't take up much space on a desk.

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TXGoat

Mar 30, 2023 2:45 AM

5.4K Comments

Joined Jul 2010

TXGoatMar 30, 2023 2:45 AM

5.4K Comments

Quote from JazzLad

:

Sorry, I replied to the wrong message 😳

I disagree.

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TheOgre

Mar 30, 2023 3:17 AM

368 Comments

Joined Aug 2022

TheOgreMar 30, 2023 3:17 AM

368 Comments

Pretty good deal. Decided to go with the 2.0 LF as the size is almost 5x the capacity and based on the YouTube video posted earlier, the LF is better overall since it can also perform cutting. $200 shipped is a damn good deal. Taxes included and shipping free!

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dchang0

Mar 30, 2023 3:35 AM

1.2K Comments

Joined Jun 2019

dchang0Mar 30, 2023 3:35 AM

1.2K Comments

Quote from CoreyR2384

:

This^. I'll also add that proper eye protection is mandatory, and I wouldn't trust the cheap ones that these come with. Repeated exposure to even splashback WILL damage your eyes, even if it doesn't show up until years later. Splashback occurs when the laser reflects off of the material you're engraving. It's invisible, you usually can't feel it, and you usually won't notice until a few years later when you're eyes deteriorate (cataracts, etc). I wouldn't recommend an unshielded laser cutter in any room that children or pets are able to get access to. You can build a shielded enclosure to rectify this, but it will more than likely cost more than this engraver. Just some things to think about since most people learn pretty quickly that they need ventilation, but I know plenty of people that ran their lasers without proper eye protection because they didn't know how important it was. It's invisible, you won't feel it, and most people don't read instructions.

The cheap laser glasses that this came with are so hard to see through that I have trouble walking around without bumping into things.

Good laser glasses or shields are optically very clear (like glass) but still offer the proper protection against the laser.

I suspect that to cut the cost on these, they do offer sufficient protection, but they cut corners on the optical clarity instead.

2

luckygecko

Mar 30, 2023 4:08 AM

7K Comments

Joined Sep 2013

luckygeckoMar 30, 2023 4:08 AM

7K Comments

Quote from bballer20

:

Did you end up trying this?

I tested it tonight. It's working just fine. The 2.0 does not have limit switches, so one has to make sure their print fits in the defined area. While the 2.0 product promotes their lower frame, I found it hard to get the focus distance above my honeycomb underframe. It's a frame that allows for airflow for cutting, but raises the height of the target.

ColoradoDad2

Mar 30, 2023 4:13 AM

219 Comments

Joined Apr 2015

ColoradoDad2Mar 30, 2023 4:13 AM

219 Comments

Quote from razor7

:

That 12yr old kid does videos much better and more professionally than most "influencers" and makes my speaking skills look extremely juvenile.

Wow. That is one very sharp young lady!

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Probedude

Pro

Mar 30, 2023 4:39 AM

3.5K Comments

Joined Mar 2005

Probedude

Pro

Mar 30, 2023 4:39 AM

3.5K Comments

In 4 1. I almost got a 2.0 weeks ago, but this will get my feet wet as the technology gets better (mostly higher laser power).

bballer20

Mar 30, 2023 5:00 AM

881 Comments

Joined Oct 2012

bballer20Mar 30, 2023 5:00 AM

881 Comments

Quote from TheOgre

:

Pretty good deal. Decided to go with the 2.0 LF as the size is almost 5x the capacity and based on the YouTube video posted earlier, the LF is better overall since it can also perform cutting. $200 shipped is a damn good deal. Taxes included and shipping free!

Sorry I'll just be starting with this, does the LF also do the SF engraving? Do you just use a lower power?

TheOgre

Mar 30, 2023 5:03 AM

368 Comments

Joined Aug 2022

TheOgreMar 30, 2023 5:03 AM

368 Comments

Quote from bballer20

:

Sorry I'll just be starting with this, does the LF also do the SF engraving? Do you just use a lower power?

So based on what I've seen and read, usually SF has better resolution/quality for engraving but at this wattage and for these machines, the quality difference seems to be negligible so getting the LF would be a better choice as it will engrave faster and has better cutting abilities.

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bballer20

Mar 30, 2023 5:07 AM

881 Comments

Joined Oct 2012

bballer20Mar 30, 2023 5:07 AM

881 Comments

Quote from luckygecko

:

I tested it tonight. It's working just fine. The 2.0 does not have limit switches, so one has to make sure their print fits in the defined area. While the 2.0 product promotes their lower frame, I found it hard to get the focus distance above my honeycomb underframe. It's a frame that allows for airflow for cutting, but raises the height of the target.

Thanks! Do you think the 2.0 would be good for someone to start off with? I've generally watched videos with that type of body frame engraver as opposed to the 1.0

bballer20

Mar 30, 2023 5:12 AM

881 Comments

Joined Oct 2012

bballer20Mar 30, 2023 5:12 AM

881 Comments

Quote from TheOgre

:

So based on what I've seen and read, usually SF has better resolution/quality for engraving but at this wattage and for these machines, the quality difference seems to be negligible so getting the LF would be a better choice as it will engrave faster and has better cutting abilities.

Gotcha gotcha, thanks! I also saw the 2.0 sized one is generally used more often than the smaller sizes so I'm tempted to pick up one of those. I guess I'll try out the LF since it can do engraving too and maybe I can use it as a CNC machine almost

1

Aufero 1.0 w/ 5.5W Long Focus Laser Engraver

$120

$400

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