Should You Buy a Glowforge?

If you've ever looked at laser engravers and laser cutters you've run across Glowforge. Let's find out if it lives up to the hype! Thanks to Skillshare for sponsoring this video, the first 1,000 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/makeorbreakshop07211
Save up to $500 with my Glowforge referral code: geni.us/KrbIO?track=yt-4c4kxl...
00:00 - Intro
01:23 - Ecosystem
01:50 - Glowforge Versions
02:35 - Size and Laser
04:18 - Camera
06:17 - Air Assist and Water Cooling
07:37 - Mechanical Design
10:10 - Software
13:22 - Materials
14:42 - Designs
16:40 - Community
17:23 - Marketing
19:07 - Overall Recommendation
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Kreg Jig K4 - geni.us/ApW1r1
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[@wilmercb]

Glad you did this Glowforge review, which confirm that the Muse 3D or Muse core with your own chiller an inline fan and 45W upgrade, plus interchangeable lenses and rotary tool, still under $6k or even better the Beambox pro with a standard 50W, integrated chiller, rotary attachment (no interchangeable lenses) still less than $6k both locally operated without internet, are better options for someone looking more for the money. Thanks for the review.

[@bjdchwr]

Small suggestion: if you can put metric units (SI) in the footage it would be a better review for international viewers.

[@makeorbreakshop]

Good point, will do!

[@rondafisher6306]

Thank I really enjoyed your honest review.

[@briantaylor2294]

Thank you for your honest review. I'll be moving toward a purchase in the next few weeks and I found your review helpful.

[@generalpattonpending7256]

Sir, please watch more videos there are more powerful machines for the same money. Look on amazon.

[@thanemakes5377]

Thanks for the info… love all the reviews

[@makeorbreakshop]

Glad you like them!

[@TheMrbonacho]

After running a Glowforge pro for a couple hundred hours and while it is a great unit, I have several problems with it. the online software can be a bit finicky. I've had some of the ribbon cables go bad and I wouldn't have made the lid work off a ribbon cable as well. When the lid cable went bad, the unit was useless which IMO is unacceptable. I don't need a camera to run a laser.

[@sued877]

love to see a review on the Gweike Cloud laser.

[@dhellis19498]

I like the concept that Glowforge has, the self contained air assist and cooling is very nice. What I don't like is the software being online. If the company folds you are out of luck and if the Internet goes down while you are just about to finish off a big job then you are forced to wait. My son in-law just purchased an OMTech 80Watt laser for about the same cost of the Glowforge Pro, he can use Lightburn and then have complete control over his designs as well as still being able to run his laser even if Lightburn goes out of business.

[@MMMHOTCHEEZE]

There's also a better version of Glowforge that is comparable on price and has much better air assist called MIRA by Aeon Laser.

[@DoubleJDoodles]

Really wish I had found your channel before I spent the money on a Snapmaker 2.0. With years of 3D printing experience, I figured the Snapmaker would be a low risk stepping stone into the laser world. (If I didn't use Laser, I still have a 3D printer). The problem is, so far I don't have a laser. The one in the box was broken, and support is lacking, to say the least. They're on replacement laser module #3.

[@Psychlist1972]

There's no way I'd buy a piece of expensive hardware like this, that turns into a brick if/when the company folds or decides not to support it I had that (company folded) happen to me with a 3d printer. Expensive lesson.

[@makeorbreakshop]

Which 3D printer did you have?

[@Psychlist1972]

@@makeorbreakshop It was a Zim Z-pro, dual head printer. Was designed to be very hands-off and (at the time) pro-level. The company delivered most of what they promised (never did get the heat shields), but folded a few months later. Their online software stopped working. Their software was all closed source, and went out with them. That was almost $1200. Some folks were able to gut those and replace with Raspberry Pi to get it mostly working, but I use 3d printers as a tool to support other hobbies, not as a hobby itself, so I donated it later. After that, and one other company failing to deliver (this one not a kickstarter, but also folded), I just went with Prusa. Expensive, but super happy with the results.

[@dmn2273]

Ordered the Muse Titan should arrive in 8 weeks or less!

[@adrian4jc]

Very informative video. I am your new subscriber. Can this cut a 5mm thick acrylic with 300mm x 400mm size? Could you please recommend form budget buy to Best Buy? Many thanks.

[@LuisGarcia-jx5su]

Could you review the beambox the smaller version with the bed size of 8.5" x 11"

[@Golfexpertbelieveme]

For the auto align do you have to pay for their pay version? or can i use inkscape and the auto align will still work

[@BeauRakes]

I'm trying to engrave some flask, which machine would you recommend?

[@MrTobbo]

Would you say the Muse 3d or the glowforge pro is better?

[@after.moonrise]

Please help! ALL I need a laser cutter for is to cut suede leather (colorful/dyed leather) AND acrylic for jewelry making. I don't have much money, but I don't want something that is too hard to learn.

[@BradleySmith1985]

the rails are similar to ULS

[@larryeber]

Would you say that the Hepa filter box actually works well enough that you could take it to a craft show and not worry about setting off a smoke detector (sprinklers) or causing others to complain about smell when running the laser? Thanks for the videos!

[@makeorbreakshop]

Yeh, the filter does a really good job, it's made to run in an enclosed environment. It is pretty loud when on so that would be the only drawback

[@travissiegwart8276]

Sprinklers are not set off by the fire alarm or smoke like in the movies. Most take direct heat in order to trigger.

[@ciscokid1999]

Muse 3D spectrum hands down, any day!

[@larryeber]

Or a Muse Core

[@NickyVEE89]

So it will engrave metal?

[@BurninGems]

Thats a lot of smoke. In my old 50w co2 laser, it vacuumes the smoke out and my mirrors dont get dirty.

[@makeorbreakshop]

So a few shots I forgot to have the smoke extractor turned on. It does a really good job of pulling smoke even compared with my larger 50w unit

[@pauls9408]

Can you engrave brass by about 0.7mm to make an embossing block for cardboard? If so, how long would that take on this machine?

[@makeorbreakshop]

For brass you would need to use a fiber laser

[@mrljvb]

For your use case, you would probably want a CNC router or milling machine. Lasers are great for cutting, and engraving, but if you want more precise control to only remove a specific amount of material, milling/cnc machines are the way to go.

[@saiyangemini]

Is there anyway to make a design private ?

[@LIONINKPRINT]

can you engrave cylinder like wine glass?

[@propicsstudio6924]

Can you metal jewelry in it?

[@FutureLaugh]

can you pit this laser against other lasers?

[@chutzpah3921]

I think most people watching this are thinking about whether to get a Glowforge or save money and get a K40. Would love to see a little more attention on apples to apples. Also curious on what happens when the Glowforge laser wears out?

[@makeorbreakshop]

I'll check in on the laser tube replacement. In terms of comparison to the K40 I didn't go super in depth, but the biggest difference is you are paying more for increase size, quality, software, internal compressor/air assist, cooling, support and overall ease of use. If you were to upgrade the K40 to get some of the same functions as the Glowforge (especially the compressor/air assist/cooling/camera) plus software you are looking at at least $1000 if not closer to $1300. So then its a question of if everything else is worth the extra $1000 to $700 for the Glowforge Basic.

[@WoodenCheese]

glowforge.com/faq/tech-specs#do-you-have-to-replace-the-laser-tube Replacement tubes cost $500 USD and are expected to last for 2 years.

[@HappyHands.]

i would love to own one, but sadly the wood has gotten so expensive now. ill just stick with my old scroll saw. And Glowforge lost me at "web based software" that requires a internet connection to run.

[@makeorbreakshop]

The web piece has been a sticking point with lots of folks.

[@halliwaxbasementbuilds]

Pretty sure this video just so me my glowforge pro..

[@ClintonCaraway-CNC]

Why would anyone consider a Glow Forge when you can get a Thunder Laser USA Mini 60 for less money??

[@LeviLoveless]

Hey, I’ve been watching all your videos since I’m trying to get into very basic laser projects. Just want to make some nice looking business cards out of stainless steel. I know the laser project area doesn’t need to be huge, but also stainless steel isn’t the easiest material to work with. Don’t believe I’d need to cut through it; I’d most likely just use it to etch. Ease of use is pretty important since I’m going to be very new at this. What would be the best (budget) laser you’d recommend?

[@TheShadesOfBlack]

I don’t think you can engrave stainless steel. You might be able to mill it with a CNC machine but…

[@larryeber]

You can use a spray that is called Brilliance (it is expensive) and an OMTech or a Flux Beamo and if you want to upgrade, you can add a rotary usit.

[@osgeld]

yea im not paying thousands to be limited to a website that wont be around in 5 years, with payment teirs and with, the bonus of buying material from them,I know its semi optional but still, greedy much? This entire thing reaks of a future dick move big time leaving users with a 3-5K brick

[@keepinghealthy3332]

Cloud based software just killed the Glowforge.

[@Maj7]

Glowforge support is trash, they have a rep for selling defective or slightly off units to individual makers/ hobbyists and keep the well working units for bigger companies/ clients.

[@randymulhern1290]

Glowforge is a rip off

[@doen.8724]

Glowforge lost me at only being web based.

[@rockjano]

Why would any sane people do it????? Buy a chinese CO2 with Lightburn.... (put camera into it and a miliWatt meter that is it)

[@generalpattonpending7256]

Why didn't you turn that overpriced 45watt(lol) on so people could see what they would have to deal with every time they do a cut or engraving? Ink Scape is FREE, K40 Whisperer is FREE! You must be getting paid by Glow Farce to do these videos. KZbin is full of videos debunking all the marketing hype that GF does. shame on you