5 Reasons The Thunder Bolt Is Replacing Our Glowforge

[@malonecustomdesigns]

What do you want to see this laser do?

[@bucketosudz]

I REALLY would like to see someone make a Delrin leather stamp with this machine. It is my single most desire for a laser right now.

[@steinbierz]

Great video…thanks! After having the Bolt for awhile, what work is now assigned to the Nova and what to the Bolt? Thanks.

[@malonecustomdesigns]

Great question! Of course, anything large goes in the Nova. Also....we still do tumblers in the Nova. In fact, once we load the rotary in the Nova, it normally stays there for a couple of days lol. The Bolt gets nearly all of our leatherette. It just does a fantastic job on leatherette. We also use the bolt for most of the small products that we are just personalizing. It's just fast and the quality is amazing! The autofocus on the Bolt works very well too!

[@stuartgray5877]

What software do you use? For me the biggest negative of the glow forge is the dependence on cloud services.

[@malonecustomdesigns]

You are correct! The Glowforge "App" is not that great, and the fact that you have to have internet to make it work is horrible! With that being said, we use Lightburn. It works with all 3 of our lasers. It is how we adjust all of our settings. It also gives you a lot of design tools directly in the software! With that being said...we also have Adobe Illustrator. Since we are familiar with that, we do most of our designing in Illustrator and then import that file into Lightburn! And no internet required!

[@janinelew2483]

Can it cut acrylic?

[@malonecustomdesigns]

It sure can! We will probably be making a video about acrylic on it soon!

[@janinelew2483]

Cool! I really want to see that. I'm ready to purchase my first C02 laser. I was really wanting the Xtool P2 but I'm concerned about customer service. I see that there is customer service here in the US for this machine.. I also like the fact that there's no water involved. That glass tube kind of freaks me out!😲@@malonecustomdesigns

[@CreativeCustomDesigns]

Thanks for this video....GREAT start on a review.......Hoping to see what thickness it will be able to cut.......We are almost ready to buy another laser.......what are your thoughts .......Nova 24 or the Bolt?

[@malonecustomdesigns]

Thanks! What will be your main use case for your new laser? The speed and detail are great on this Bolt. Also, this 30W RF tube actually has the power similar to our 80W Nova 35. The nova 24 will give you a little more bed space.

[@CreativeCustomDesigns]

@@malonecustomdesigns We do a fair bit of cutting....we don't do much engraving......the roto would be nice to have......does the Bolt have a pass through......definitely need that.

[@malonecustomdesigns]

No, the Bolt does not.

[@CreativeCustomDesigns]

@@malonecustomdesigns OK then....looks like it's going to be the Nova 24 .....THANKS

[@malonecustomdesigns]

You're welcome.

[@dakemabesemer9481]

I am researching this machine now as my GF Pro recently died just short of 2 years old. I am reading about all of the great engraving it does, can you tell me if the cutting speed/power is great as well?

[@malonecustomdesigns]

Hey! It will all depend on what you are cutting. We mostly cut 1/8" plywood and it cuts just fine. I will say that if you are more focused on cutting as opposed to engraving, having a machine with external air, might be the way to go! We have a Thunder Nova 35 with an air compressor added to it and it cuts fast and clean! And it makes cutting thicker stuff easier.

[@Matt_Hatt3r]

Newbie question here... can you use ONLY Light Burn to create images? Or do you recommend having both that and Illustrator? Thanks!

[@malonecustomdesigns]

You can do quite a lot with just LightBurn. That's all that some people use. However, we have used Adobe for years and we tend to do most of our design in Illustrator.

[@RonaldYau]

Would you suggest starting with a Glowforge or go straight to the Bolt?

[@malonecustomdesigns]

Go straight to the Bolt for sure!!!!! If you are going to learn a laser....no since in learning on a Glowforge. Their settings are totally different than the majority of other lasers!

[@doctorpd1959]

What is the dot size engraving for the Bolt? My 10 watt diode laser has a fine dot size of 0.06 X 0.14 mm. Does the bolt have a better dot size engraving? I already have the Thunder Nova 35 100 watt so I am not concern about bed size. I just want to know if it is wise to replace my 10 watt diode laser which I use strictly for super good resolution engraving.

[@Falinzin]

The Thunder Bolt has a .05mm laser dot with the high resolution lens. So slightly less than twice the resolution of your diode laser. RF lasers rule for engraving

[@doctorpd1959]

@@Falinzin Is the dot size .05 mm X .05 mm? Can you confirm that it a circular dot size? My diode laser has a rectangular dot size and I believe that all diode lasers have a rectangular dot size and not a circular dot size.

[@jessiahd.6143]

I currently own a Glowforge Pro i bought for $1300. I really want to sell it to upgrade to this laser printer! Im nervous about the learning curve with the Thunder. Can you share a link to the table you have your Thunder on?

[@malonecustomdesigns]

We are loving this laser! And the table is a Husky adjustable table from Home Depot.

[@angrygaragemechanic]

How large of tumblers is this machine capable of doing?

[@malonecustomdesigns]

I've seen people doing full wraps on Stanley 40 ounce....by removing the handle.

[@angrygaragemechanic]

How thick of material have you cut,such as wood or acrylic?

[@malonecustomdesigns]

@@angrygaragemechanic We have just started using this, so the thickest we have cut is our 1/8" Baltic Birch. Given how easy it cut that....1/4" single pass won't be a problem either.

[@angrygaragemechanic]

Thanks for sharing! You get a chance,show off some of your projects with the Bolt.

[@malonecustomdesigns]

Will do!!!

[@jeanbosconiyitegeka4196]

Even the look,this machine is Stuning,but unfortanatry i cant afford it

[@malonecustomdesigns]

It is a nice machine! Are you currently doing laser engraving?