My Experience Buying a Glowforge Laser

I have been using various laser cutters and engravers over the past few years and have been documenting my journey on this channel. I finally broke down and picked up a Glowforge Plus and I wanted to share my reasoning and to help others make the right choice for them!
If you are thinking of getting a Glowforge, feel free to use my referral code! Using this link will help support my efforts to make more content for this channel!
Use the link below.
glowforge.us/r/KSXLIFLM
Big thanks to When Geeks Craft ( / whengeekscraft ) and Technically Woodworking( / technicallywoodworking ) for their Glowforge expertise!
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Software I use:
Adobe Creative Cloud (Includes everything listed below):
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Adobe Photoshop (Raster Graphics):
adobe.prf.hn/click/camref:110...
Adobe Illustrator (Vector Graphics):
adobe.prf.hn/click/camref:110...
Adobe Premiere (Video Editing):
adobe.prf.hn/click/camref:110...
Adobe After Effects (Video Effects):
adobe.prf.hn/click/camref:110...
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Become a patron today and help me make more videos like this!
Patreon geeksmithing.com/patreon
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Social Links:
Website: geeksmithing.com
TikTok : / geeksmithing
Twitch geeksmithing.com/twitch
Instagram geeksmithing.com/instagram
Twitter geeksmithing.com/twitter
Facebook geeksmithing.com/facebook
Patreon geeksmithing.com/patreon
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[@hoofrog]

Your videos on the K40 definitely helped me decide to purchase one years ago. I have always wanted a Glowforge though and I am afraid your initiative may send me down a dark path as well. Seriously, I can't wait to see how you use your new toy.

[@Geeksmithing]

Hey Roger, thanks! I'm glad that they helped!! The K40 is certainly still one of my favorite and most recommended tools. It's value is really unmatched if you are ok with putting in the time. Cheers!

[@brickdaddiy]

If I ever do get to a point where I'm getting a glowforge I'm glad I know just where to come to

[@Geeksmithing]

☺️👍

[@ChadsCustomCreations]

Love the realness of you and this video! Wishing you luck with your fancy new laser.

[@Geeksmithing]

Thanks dude!! I was trying to be as authentic as possible! My cybernetic implant glitches had to be meticulously edited out.

[@RelentlessEnthios]

I'm right with you, at first I was nervous about the whole cloud interface, but now I don't even think about it. The the Glowforge makes it so easy to just do things, and the family has been able to pick it up and make things without a whole lot of dinking around. Its the laser for designers who want to do things, and not really tinker around with a complex machine. My up time has literally been 100%, it just works.

[@Geeksmithing]

I have had a few odd quirks with the app, but yeah, overall, solid. Thanks for posting! Hope to see you out at a meetup again soon! We miss ya!

[@splocal]

How’s it running now? I read a lot of negative reviews on it.

[@RelentlessEnthios]

Mine is still running great. Made a whole mess of Christmas ornaments this year.

[@TomZelickman]

It's nice to see that they are doing well with the process. 8 days to receive the machine is not bad either! Looking forward to seeing more content about the laser. Hope all is well!

[@Geeksmithing]

Apparently I had an off week too, as the current shipping estimate according to their site is about 4 days! 😱🤪 Thanks man, you too!!

[@makeorbreakshop]

Can't wait to see what you think about it. I feel like I loose my maker card everytime I use it...but its just so dang easy to go from idea to a finished cut/engrave.

[@Geeksmithing]

It's been great overall! The app has some questionable... quirks sometimes. 🤣

[@Geeksmithing]

Is it the pocket hole of digital fabrication machines? 🤔🤪🤣

[@makeorbreakshop]

@@Geeksmithing a kreg jig at a festool price, ha!

[@Geeksmithing]

@@makeorbreakshop accurate!🤣

[@G33v3s]

Very interesting perspective. Looking forward to seeing what you create with this tool. Alas it is outside my current toy budget ;)

[@Geeksmithing]

It definitely slices thru budgets with laser precision!

[@MagnumPopeye]

I agree with the 3 step process with the software it is a hassle.. But just like you. I don't see the need for the net connection. Cricket cutters had the same problem untill they finally listened to there customer base and went with the off line ability. I think that was decision based on the customers still using the net base for design downloads. But man you couldn't do anything with it.. Then I got a k40 laser and moved on.. So much more I could do. But I do find myself just using inkscape only now.. I would say the biggest hurtle would be the massive price point for the glowforge. (just going to build a 4x8 one my self and add what I want)(still will be cheaper then a glowforge) that was the best thing about the k40 step hastle your talking about. Makes you figure out how to mod stuff. And how to build one..

[@Geeksmithing]

For the Pinteresty soccer moms who the Glowforge is marketed to, it's a good fit. For those that don't mind tinkering or have the time to fiddle with things, I agree, the K40 is perfect

[@bytesizedengineering]

Did you ever try using light burn with your k40? It seems that would have simplified your workflow.

[@Geeksmithing]

I am own it and use it on my diode laser, but never bothered upgrading the board on the K40 to also use it there. The software workflow steps are the minor parts of what I tended to not enjoy about the K40 over time.

[@richmondrivet]

Decent review video, although, I don't see myself moving to the Glowforge. I'm currently using a 50W big blue Chinese laser(the big brother of the K40). I like that when I'm ready, I can upgrade it to 60, 80, 100W. I totally see your point of view on the ease of use though. ***BTW, the "internet going out"... ::chef's kiss:: That was awesome, and had me rewinding that segment.

[@Geeksmithing]

Those are all perfectly awesome machines in their own right! Haha thanks regarding that connectivity moment! Several people have said they fell for that. 🤣

[@mm0901]

Great video! I’ve had my Glowforge Plus for a little over a month and so far it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The community aspect is really nice too.. any time I have a question, there is someone to answer it.. usually within minutes.

[@Geeksmithing]

It really is great! Congrats on the Glowforge!

[@andreamitchell4758]

What is that thing in the background with the Mario "M" on it? is that a something you made, a Switch dock shield perhaps? I have a LED dock shield (came with a mario odyssey and LOZ BOTW plate) and one of the things I would like to make with these laser engravers is more plexi plates for it

[@Geeksmithing]

Good spot! It is the hood decal for Mario's Kart on Mario Kart 8. I had a couple extra from working on my son's Mario Kart themed room (video is on this channel) and slapped them on various containers and things. That's just a random black metal basket. 🤓

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

2:57 - I would never buy a product costing thousands of dollars that would be bricked the second the company goes out of business. Way past my personal comfort level.

[@Geeksmithing]

I hope that does in fact happen, as I'll be the first to swap out the control board! Then make a video about it! 🤣

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

@@Geeksmithing And I'll be on ebay sweeping up the seemingly units before people catch on. It's a plan. ;)

[@Geeksmithing]

Sounds like we have the framework for a solid business model! 🤣

[@AndyBirkeyMaker]

I was completely distracted by that Maker Faire Shuttle magnet, ain't gonna lie.... BTW, what's a GlueFarge?

[@Geeksmithing]

What a racket! I keep waiting and it still has yet to show up! 0/10 Tripadvisor Review.

[@AndyBirkeyMaker]

@@Geeksmithing totes scammage

[@Geeksmithing]

@@AndyBirkeyMaker Maker UnFaire

[@dr3d3d]

can ICQ be considered internet based when it probably(not going to bother checking) doesn't even exist anymore?

[@Geeksmithing]

That's the joke. 😐🙄

[@Anonymouthful]

I have no respect for anyone who looks at this always online phenomena, for a tool of all things, and seemingly accepts it as something thats just another thing to get used to.

[@Geeksmithing]

I have no respect for anyone who doesn't approach a subject with a willingness to form an open dialog and healthy discussion.

[@MileyonDisney]

Cricut vinyl cutter uses cloud-based software, and I HATE IT!!!

[@reforzar]

Crooked hat the whole video. Unsubscribe.

[@Geeksmithing]

Camera angles ARE tricky!

[@hopkinsworryharoldbrandon1537]

Hi, do you have an email? I have some questions about this machine, How can I message you?

[@Geeksmithing]

I did until last week when it decided to stop working. 😆 Can hit me up on any linked social media profiles in the description if you like.