10 Ways to Make Money with a Diode Laser Cutter / Engraver

Starting a Business with a Diode Laser Part 2
My Digital Files: Etsy: valleyforgedshop.etsy.com
My Choice of Diode Laser - Roly Lasermatic mk2: rolyautomation.com/XCUDsk
Valley Forged:
Etsy: valleyforgedshop.etsy.com
Facebook: / valleyforgedgoods
Instagram: / valleyforgedgoods
All opinions are my own. Leave yours below

[@isaiahgillett2573]

The rose with the word in the stem was great.

[@poppopswoodshop]

So many facets to this conversation, I do totally concur with your assessment of farmers markets there been times when I would sell nothing and then other times you sell darn near everything there’s no rhyme or reason to it. I’ve been doing Vendor events for over 20 years most of it selling a product and now I sell my products But I truly wanna see what you have to do to sell eight or $10,000 worth of products at Vendor event I can’t imagine that much stuff. Personally I used farmers markets as a experiment for larger markets. As an example. I did a local motorcycle vendor event outdoors hundred plus degrees roasting in the sun. My booth is configured as the typical U booth I decided to conduct an experiment to see if I would lose a attendance into my booth if I reversed it to a perimeter style booth with me in the center. It didn’t take long to realize that the perimeter style booth did exactly what I thought it would do, many would walk up and then walk on by where in the U style people would stay longer and engage in conversation. One of the biggest issues I believe to the Vendor are these one day four hour event shows it takes me two hours to set up. My both takes me another two hours to tear down four hours of opportunity have one or two bad experiences and It can really take the fire out of you. Your statement about having enough private customers she really don’t have time for local events, that’s where I’m at now I have enough coming in to keep me very busy but on the other hand, I don’t wanna stop doing events I enjoy the process after the set up and before the teardown😂 you’re doing a great job with your videos and I enjoy your Etsy files. Also bought several everything that you’ve produced has worked out very well. I have LightBurn primarily I use XCS so SVG are a big help

[@ValleyForged]

Thanks for the detailed response! A good two day (all day) event with 20k people coming by and you can easily do 10k. That was mostly by myself. If I had more help...Regardless, it is not easy to find those amazing shows. :)

[@poppopswoodshop]

@@ValleyForged more than likely, I’ll never do a show with that high attendance, but I am truly interested in seeing your logistics getting from your shop to market. You must have a big trailer or make a bunch of trips. This sounds overwhelming amount of time money and effort this would take, of course, once a marine always a marine improvises adapt overcome

[@ValleyForged]

@@poppopswoodshop I have a regular high top van, wish some room to spare. Do you realize how much money in earrings you can fit in one regular container? Leather wallets? Bottle openers? :) Shows can be overwhelming of course, but two days are actually better for me. Then I just do much fewer shows and make more money.

[@poppopswoodshop]

@@ValleyForged I do earrings too. I agree they don’t take up much room. I bought a new Ford transit van mid height 2500 during the pandemic waited for seven months and interest rate started to climb. Had to call and cancel it. I use the truck and trailer. I do a lot of signage I find it sells OK enough to keep me going.

[@donspoor8367]

I would like to see an online class. I have been looking for something like that. I have just got may first laser and I need lots of help. Your videos are very helpful, I could use more help with an online class.

[@ValleyForged]

Thanks for the comment. Can you name a few things you would want to learn in that class? What do you feel is holding you back?

[@bigcountry734]

I like this idea. Being a beginner and not real computer savvy , these videos are helpful, but some other youtubers go little fast on explaining things or make it look easier than it is with posting edited videos, . need video on how to know when and how to adjust belts etc.I have a Atezr P20 and the manual to me is not helpful. Setting up my laser out of the box was a nightmare, the settings were wrong and machine would not home, and I had no idea what to do. Luckly I found someone on social media to help, by sharing my computer so he could help find the problem. He is my go to guy for questions and answers, but I wish there were more people willing so I could ask questions to and get a quick response to solving problems. I still have alot to learn about lightburn, settings, what material to use and where to purchase. I'm still figuring out how to do material test, but after my test my project still does not cut etc like the material test did. People with same or similar machine should be able to give settings for certain material to at least get started. Good example for me, is your Lord's Prayer cross, I really appreciate buying the file and it was setup pretty good. My only thing is some wood cuts perfect and some is not cutting the same, so I'm questioning is it my laser or the material. Thank you for all your videos @@ValleyForged

[@ValleyForged]

@@bigcountry734Thanks for the comment. It is always hard to diagnose someones problems without seeing the laser. The only thing that comes to mind is making sure the wood is level. Put a 16"x16" flat board on below the laser then use the focus gauge in each corner to make sure they are all the same.

[@bigcountry734]

@@ValleyForged what should my kerf be set at

[@ValleyForged]

@@bigcountry734I never set mine, ever. Perhaps LAHobby Guy could help you if you want to mess with that.

[@MTRUITT95]

Trust the process!

[@thehess6]

New with lasers, so serious question- why diode and not CO2? I just bought an Acmer 20w and playing with it to learn. Just wondering why a more "mass production" gig wouldn't go with a CO2. I understand fiber lasers have their own specific use, but CO2 and diode seem more similar in use cases. Thanks

[@ValleyForged]

Great question! A good Co2 laser ($4k+) is far superior in most ways to a diode laser. I will answer all this in my Co2 vs Diode laser video (I do one every year). But most people do not have the money, space or knowledge to 'start' their business with a Co2 laser. And spending that kind of money before you know what you are doing seems a bit silly to me in 2024. Once you are making thousands per month, you may then decide to get a Co2, and you will understand what you want and why. That is my thinking anyhow :). I currently have access to a large 150w Co2 but still find myself using the diode 90% of the time. If it ONLY did clear acrylic...

[@thehess6]

@@ValleyForged thanks, that helps. I enjoy experimenting and love learning. I've been 3D printing and designing for about 5 years, so there are some parallels, but I love learning new things too. It opens a new way of thinking creatively.

[@I-LOVE-EARTH]

Why do you always wear your safety glasses when making these videos?

[@ValleyForged]

Because it is fun.