Cheap Laser Engraver Review: EleksLaser-A3 Pro 2500mW [PINNED COMMENT: UPDATE]

[@LazerLord10]

UPDATE: I do not recommend that anyone buys this for use as a laser engraver. The severe lack of safety features on this machine, in hindsight, are completely inexcusable. I may post a video about this soon, but for now, just don't. Your eyesight can't be replaced and spending the extra $200 on something more usable is better for you and your projects. Please understand these risks before buying it and do research. These lasers are not toys and you can lose your eyesight forever in an instant.

[@ExtraFungus]

LazerLord10 meh

[@LazerLord10]

That's pretty much my reaction to the whole machine, tbh.

[@makrospex]

what's the extra $200 more usable engraver?

[@LazerLord10]

The extra $200 would likely get you an enclosure, better firmware, and a generally more reliable machine. If this were a 3D printer, it'd be okay, but 3D printers can't permanently blind you in an instant when things go wrong. Your vision is worth more than $200.

[@makrospex]

OK, got it. I'm more the DIY type and i would build all that, possibly change the controller board and most important: always wear my safety goggles.

[@scottt5822]

I've been thinking about buying one of these... I enjoyed your review and I'm glad you spoke your opinion and findings. I don't expect much from the unit and after watching your review I can pretty much get an idea of what I can expect for a few hundred dollars. Good Job!

[@AdaptivePhenix]

Thanks for the review and especially for not dragging us through how to open a box.

[@mcpeachpies]

I know absolutely nothing about lasers, but I still enjoyed the video. Keep up the great content

[@3dprintingvoyageur....650]

There is a vital safety feature on any product that can potentially set fire to your house ......YOU !!!!! and solely you, an extinguisher at hand is not just an option its should be obligatory and a laser should not be left to work alone .. so this being said ive got this machine and have tried it fully and it actually works very well for a 2.5w laser ... the machine itself is simple and efficient and i use T2laser software ,the results are very good both black and white and greyscale......... once again its a good machine for the price but i insist this is not a fire and forget machine !!! constant precense is obligatory ....Also i would never of bought this if i didnt have a fire extinguisher allready....... Its not all bad but of course i can understand Meh and its an entry level and not to be used without supervision.

[@samuelcorteslazaro35]

Nice video! where would I have to copy and paste the GRBLcode? Nice video!

[@wagnerpierre4485]

Thanks for the review. Do you know if this laser is powerful enough to cut card stock ? Or 2mm white cardboard ?

[@sushanthadkar9177]

My laser light is not show their is two moter left Side Same Fitting & Right Side Moter pin Can Change

[@jeffgreenfield7025]

Seems expensive when a K40 Co2 laser is only ~300, smaller work envelope i know, but seems like it can do a lot more with the 35watt tube.

[@LazerLord10]

I agree with that!

[@johnstacey1007]

I've just order one just for the engraving but also can up grade laser to 5500mv ? great video

[@peterklein1299]

Hiello Friend ,, Can I use this machine as a stamp rubber engraving ? If I use the appropriate settings can I make good quality stamps ?

[@benitorodriguez1072]

Yes you can

[@silbernersurfer8264]

Is it possible to cut parts for RC planes out of foamboard of up to 10mm thickness?

[@charlot1975]

thank you,,,can this machine cut foam and thin wood

[@yuechen2895]

Why am i here? I don’t know about laser or any mechanics. I followed amazing minecaft video and subscribed for that 😆😆. But I know u must be the person who smart and talented😄😄😃 Waiting for next... ... Is it mine if you make more minecaft clips~~ ( it’s alright if u don’t make it, I know it will take a long time)

[@knockforit9658]

Can i use it for engraving on leather wallet?! Also Metal keyring ?

[@centx77]

Great video, very informative. I am in the market for an engraver with a work area about this size to open up new opportunities in my woodworking business. From the looks of it, this will suit my needs as far as engraving/etching into all types of wood; I'm not looking to actually cut anything aside from maybe really thin veneer. Would this machine work for my purposes?

[@StephenFarthing]

I have one of these on order. I’m interested in making a case for it so I can use it without risking my eyes or lungs. I’m thinking of using wood for the case and using a vacuum hose to take away the fumes. As I would like to see what’s going on I can either install a camera, or what would be simpler, a coloured plexiglass (Perspex here in Europe) window. What I can’t seem to find is a reference to the colour and density of the plexiglass to use. Do you know of one? My understanding of the system is that when Powered up the laser is on. This is hazardous. I would prefer to change this. I’m thinking of putting an on off Switch with a safety lock on the outside of the box to prevent operation if the box is open.

[@LazerLord10]

That all sounds like a pretty good idea, but you would probably need to change a lot of things about the firmware on this thing. I haven't delved into it too much (I barely use it), but it seems that its software failure mode is to keep the laser on and don't move. Needless to say, I'm glad I wasn't etching anything important. Because lasers of this wavelength are pretty common, you could just get a few sets of the same type of laser safety goggles they give you (which are actually not that bad), and cut out the viewing window from those.

[@StephenFarthing]

LazerLord10 thanks for the reply. I’ll take a look at the firmware angle. I’ll probably go with the opaque box and camera option. My workroom has windows and best practice here is to shutter them when a laser is operating. I’ll be boxing in my 3D printer as well and using a camera for that so I could use the same box. Apart from the learning factor I’m going to use the laser for printed circuit board mastering and engraving metal. If you want I’ll let you know how it goes.

[@JesusTouchedMyJunk]

Hey you can just wear laser goggles. This is what actual laser micro-machining engineers do. We don't give a shit about enclosures or firmware because that stuff can always fail. The one thing that never fails is putting a wavelength specific absorbing piece of plastic in between your eyes and the laser. $50 on amazon, marketed towards laser medicine technicians.

[@fuse.]

well, for the gesture that they send you that laser-engraver, you could be more positiv about it. You talk more than a half of the video of negative things about the engraver, thats a bit sad. But over all I liked the review, you telled much, explained and tested it very good, I like that :3

[@LazerLord10]

My goal with reviews is to give you as much information as possible that isn't on the product page or specifications. Tests, usability, and usefulness aren't generally on spec sheets, so yeah. The thing is, there aren't many positives because it's positive is "it etches things, yeah!", lol.

[@LazerLord10]

That's a bit more of a blunt way of explaining what I was doing, yes. Because this is my first 'paid' review, I don't want to set the precedent that my channel can be used for false advertising. Gotta keep it real!

[@AdamSelene11726]

Eleksmaker is establishing itself as the "Brand Name" of "DYI laser etchers. Apparently they make robust and well finished hardware. But users are more or less on their own where software, firmware and assembly are concerned. So if someone wants a new hobby "Making and Fixing DYI Lasers" ... Eleksmaker is probably a better bet than anyone else. If someone wants a tool for working in a hobby they already have .... not so good. Somebody at the sellers' end ought to consider selling a "turnkey-setup supplement" kit. . I'd pay a couple of hundred bucks more for that.

[@erikingraham7889]

Will this laser engrave in grayscale. Is it pwm

[@printrun5]

Can it cut standard cardstock and mylar (polyester) sheets 0.2 mm please? I am thinking getting it for cutting stencils. Thank you in advance!

[@LazerLord10]

I highly doubt it. Think painters tape was difficult to do.

[@JesusTouchedMyJunk]

These chinese laser heads are rated in terms of "input power" or the amount of electrical power you put into it. So 2.5 watts of input power has around a 50% conversion efficiency, you can expect around 1-1.5 W output power from this laser. For laser heads that are actually rated by measured optical output power, see endurance lasers or OPT lasers websites.

[@yuvalmirsky]

hi can you recommend a laser cutter that can cut a 1mm plastic for airbrush stencils?

[@JesusTouchedMyJunk]

you'd want at least 2.5W of continuous output power. I'd reccomend getting the endurance lasers 3.5W laser.

[@jaridegbert2644]

Does the software allow you to take a scanned picture (drawing) and etch it?

[@LazerLord10]

LasrGRBL imports images, so yes. However, I would put it through an image editor like GIMP or PhotoShop first to make sure it etches in the way you exptect.

[@Yiokalai]

Can it write on steel metal?Not deep just to write (make dark the metal)?

[@LazerLord10]

Nope. Unless it's painted metal like in the video, it will have no effect on it.

[@u4eake]

Hi, how small text could this print on plastic and still be readable? I'm considering buying this mainly to label IC's. So I'd need to write 1-2mm high text on them and maybe a logo? Thanks for the review! Honest opinion and I like you telling all the negatives. Those are what I want to hear so I can decide if I can live with them, the vendor will tell all the positives himself :-)

[@LazerLord10]

Plastic? Not very good resolution. You can see the size of the laser dot near the beginning of the video, but with a low-powered laser like this one, it tends to melt the plastic more than etch it. Minimum text height to be readable would probably be 3mm. Good looking text likely wouldn't happen until 5mm.

[@stoxey]

new skyblock timelapse pls

[@Nerypro]

awesome video, btw I think u were using it to mkae a dragon design cuz ur logo is a dragon xd

[@LazerLord10]

I may have a fondness for dragon artwork, yeah.

[@ionelgroza]

it can cut leather 3mm thick ?

[@LazerLord10]

no

[@philco2148]

Cela aurais pu être bien ... mais le logiciel n' est pas terrible, le laser pas fiable et la carte fragile au niveau de l'USB le SAV Banggood est aux "normes Chinoises" ... en gros si t'as un problème ... 1er proposition on te donne 50 euros pour "réparer" électronique au dessus du laser et la carte toi même ... donc tu jettes un laser qui vaut 85 euros ... et après moult négociations si tu arrives à 80 euros pour remplacer le tout ... il ne faut pas se plaindre , t'avais qu'a chercher plus près.Et évitez l’extension en 3 axes avec le module Eleks axis parce que les logiciels proposés sont des liens obsolètes d'un autre age. Un conseil courageux ... Fuyez cette marque !!!!

[@sushanthadkar9177]

Give me Some Reply or solution

[@thatworldsucks961]

You have a voice like pewdiepie

[@wreckless_-jl6uu]

I wouldn’t use it as a laser engraver.. upgrade the moving parts.. replace laser with router.. then bingo.. a more useful tool...

[@doomik920]

Hello from Russia)

[@derickshalo384]

Are you trying to blind us??

[@JesusTouchedMyJunk]

No just himself

[@elliottw.7407]

Nice gg make more videos

[@LazerLord10]

Will do!

[@thetortoises4567]

HI CAN WE BY FRIENDS I NEED SO HELP ON my youtube and you are a rely good bilder in minecraft i have wotched some of your minecraft videos over and over wondering how are you so good

[@benitorodriguez1072]

Hi All, I am afraid you are giving wrong advice and information, IT DOES DO VECTOR AND RASTER DRAWING ON ALL COLOR AND CLEAR ACRYLICS.

[@masterwizardsuryt]

2 like ^^