TRUTH ABOUT GLOWFORGE - A User's Honest Review

Don't own a Glowforge yet? Use this link to get $500 off! glowforge.us/r/GBXLKUNV
You'll save a nice chunk and I'll get credits too!
Packaging 0:24
Size and Weight 1:21
Setup 2:40
Internet 3:11
Exhaust Port 4:30
Smell 5:52
Noise 7:40
Camera Lid 9:23
Proofgrade Materials 10:16
Conclusion 12:57
--------------WHAT I RECOMMEND FOR EVERY NEW GLOWFORGER---------------
Exhaust Port Extension:
amzn.to/36l7kmg
6" AC Infinity Inline Fan: (makes your Glowforge super quiet)
amzn.to/3d5sPGW
Leak-Free Reducers for above fan:
(2 Pack): amzn.to/3tAkOTR
Leak-Free 4" Exhaust Hose: amzn.to/31j7HYo​
Clear Window Vent Kit:
martinsonmanufacturing.com/pa...
OR
4" Window Exhaust Vent Adapter:
amzn.to/3uvEt6y
---------------------------6" EXHAUST HOSE ACCESSORIES----------------------------
6" Exhaust Adapter:
amzn.to/3qWaowf
Leak Free 6" Exhaust Hose:
amzn.to/3lOxVLL
6" Window Exhaust Vent Adapter:
amzn.to/3ID5Wbp
Martinson Manufacturing participates in the Amazon associates program
My Etsy store:
www.etsy.com/shop/MartnsonMan...
My Website:
martinsonmanufacturing.com/

[@polo94700]

The ink tank system appears to be much better than the cartridge system kzbin.infoUgkxciSwynMJ7PnUvvx11rewiu-yFBkZTl53 and a lot cheaper to run. The machine was easy to set up. A small point but I thought they'd be a USB cable included to help with the set up but there was none. I've been using it now for a few weeks and it seems like a good product and superior to my previous printers which were all troublesome HP machines.

[@dreabia4759]

Perfect review. Thanks for not talking for an hour before jumping into the review. Very concise and clear.

[@thetraveler5334]

L😄 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@visualthinking]

BLESS YOU for how you demoed the noise levels. Super useful!

[@JustMe-cl4qc]

Definitely not to be used in an apartment

[@fisherchi]

Thank you for that honest and well done review. I'm a software developer by trade and having it only web based doesn't bode well with me. Servers and internet always going down. That's why I'm still employed! :) Plus the noise it generates. I'd have to wear ear plugs.

[@bennettpisek5566]

Thanks for your review, and detailed time slots for specific Glowforge reviews. The “ exhaust extension “ can be made from PVC pipe, and cut at places like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other hardware stores. The cost is less than $20.00.

[@goofayoo]

Great info! Thank you! The fact that it cannot work without being connected to the internet is a deal killer for me.

[@crazyaquariusgurl]

Excellent review! Had no idea about the exhaust and noise! And the material things!

[@BeccaGriffith]

This was SO HELPFUL! Thank you for your authenticity. I really like the concept of Glowforge and have been watching a lot of their tutorial videos and livestreams...so I may still go for it or wait a little longer with the hopes that they work on some improvements!

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Glad you found it helpful Becca! What improvements would you like to see?

[@BeccaGriffith]

@@MartinsonManufacturing Thanks for even asking! After perusing features of other laser printers (& even one that I SWEAR must be a knock-off of glowforge), these are a few improvements that come to mind: 1. A functional exhaust connector 2. Software that run OFFline (this is a make or break for me). 3. Air purifier actually included with the system since it's a necessary component for the fumes no matter what for the same price. 4. It'd be wonderful to see the weight of it be light enough for one person to maneuver w/o breaking the back. ;-)

[@keekeedavis3521]

Becca Griffith - I completely agree. Only online is a huge NO for me and the cost for the very necessary air purifier is greed in my opinion

[@dthk]

this was a great and honest review. that sound test was hilarious.

[@bishopsgyal]

This was GREAT!! Thank you for posting !

[@Nikad1977]

This is a great video, I've been going back and forth rather I wanted to buy one and this video really helps.

[@lcarucci0007]

I will not jeopardize my health breathing toxic fumes and for the money issues like noise, etc should be totally worked out

[@justkiddin1980]

Just buy a chinese k40 and upgrade it if you want to

[@albetaylormade7400]

Buy one. Great investment

[@albetaylormade7400]

Thank you. Jus got mines today. Can't wait get home. Be blessed. Great Vid

[@MrThomApplegate]

Thank you for the good review. I just put one on my list. With a creative mind, this can be a real elevator for inspiration.

[@robertj3116]

Great video. Was going to get this to mark items for theft prevention. But it only works safely on their materials. You saved me $5000+ dollars. Their commercials are misleading so appreciate the review.

[@freedem41]

As far as safety any material unsafe for a Glowforge is unsafe for any laser, because of how a laser works. If you cut PVC you will cause severe damage to yourself and any machine you are using. The key to proofgrade is the accuracy of the settings when the lenses are clean

[@rachelforero1555]

By far the best informational review. Thank you for taking the time.

[@romanticscents]

Thank you for the review! This was so helpful!

[@tsinoisullieht]

Thank you for the referral code! I just ordered the Plus-- really nervous about the noise, but I'll try the insulated dryer duct tip.

[@joemartinson1826]

Awesome! I recently saw on my account that you used the referral code to order one! You'll love it! You should join the "Glowforge User Group" on Facebook. Lots of great info and ideas on there. As far as the noise, many people have been buying a quiet external fan such as this one and using that instead. www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-CLOUDLINE-S6-Controller/dp/B07FPFVZTZ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2UADE7FJ2JO33&keywords=ac+infinity+cloudline+t6&qid=1576565424&sprefix=ac+infinity%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-3 There's an option in the GF app to basically turn off the internal fans and just use an external one instead. It quiets your machine tremendously. I'll be picking one up and doing a review on it next month. Please reach out if you have any questions when you get your Glowforge!

[@cplcabs]

The thing you should be nervous about is the reliance of the internet. I note already they have a premium service. The more people that buy this and join the premium service the slower the free service will go because premium users have priority in the processed queue.

[@uprayup]

*Great Video!* _Thank you for you honesty_

[@mollymadedesigns]

Thank you for the honest review. I used your referral code. :)

[@janicegraves8706]

Thanks Joe, just bought the Basic with your link, now to start getting my referrals to help pay for My machine!! :)

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Absolutely! Get it!!

[@WispYart]

Thanks for the review! Very helpful!

[@laciejavonne352]

Thanks for the detailed review!

[@amazingdiyprojects]

Great review, informative, thanks!

[@KitchenTumblers]

A lot of great information. This definitely helps guide me toward making a decision to purchase! Also, very good to the point information. New Sub!

[@sexualbutterfly]

Kitchen Tumblers Hey girl, what are you doing over here...probably the same as me! 😆~your Subbie

[@SkonkBot]

The way you demo'd the noise level was pretty spectacular :)

[@stcroixlover1]

Thanks a million for your honest and in depth review.

[@zynzane9680]

Thanks for your honest and thorough review.

[@TheEtbetween]

Thanks for the video, great coverage

[@adorablyshabby746]

This was very helpful! Thank you!

[@michaeltyborski4802]

Thank you for showing us product reality. Thankfully, Glowforge and similar laser engravers/cutters, are a worthwhile investment. And more important, they're fun to use!

[@griffinartandairbrushing3174]

Nice review, thank you.

[@willcollins9470]

great review. I like your style. all facts, no wasted time or bad music.

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Thanks man

[@gregference1714]

Thanks for review. I will be looking for something else. I do not like being dependent on the Internet, the noise, nor the price tag. Expecting more for my money.

[@fomckee]

Thank you very much for your views on the machine!

[@libraregina1]

Great video and very informative! Thanks for the honest feedback :)

[@mrbuddy0008]

This video was super interesting and informative, I had just seen a commercial for it on CNN and was really curious about it after having seen it 😲 👍🏽

[@mm0901]

Sooo helpful! Thank you!!

[@nessliz8208]

Very expensive, but would love to have one in the waaaay future lol thank you for the detailed review!! Much appreciated!

[@markk3453]

thank you. great review

[@ryangilrane4110]

Thank you so much this was truly a great review of the Glowforge!

[@bunnywhite6513]

Very helpful - thank you!!

[@thesuperzoshow5241]

Great review. 👍 Well done.

[@TRUTHorSTFU]

Thanks so much. Really good info! :-)

[@OliviaandSophiaToysShow]

Thank you for the info 🥰

[@dalepistilli4995]

Awesome, unbiased review. Thanks!!

[@RickSwartwood]

Excellent Review! Thank You! I purchased already but nervous about internet only...

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Nothing to be nervous about. Our whole lives our internet dependent and we never think about it. I was a little nervous at first too, but over a year later, not a single issue and I love how seamless the experience is with the internet.

[@cplcabs]

As you should be. There is everything to be nervous about. If they go bust you can’t use you machine. They will add additional costs in the future for using their servers. They already have a premium service giving premium members priority on the job queue, so if you are not a premium member and you upload your job at the same time a load of premium members, you will be waiting a while. Then there is the security/privacy part. All your jobs are on their servers as is your information, so it is theirs to do with as they please and if they get hacked, it’s going to be all out there.

[@gustos2478]

Good job man. Thx!

[@bparker86]

Great review. Thank for Saving me from my impulsive shopping

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

That’s what I’m here for :)

[@billandpeppa314]

I saw a short ad for this and I wanted to see what it was and when I heard him say it was 4K I was blown away😮😮🥵

[@WestCoastCanuck]

Noise makes this a no for me. :-( Great review and I appreciate the time you took to do this.

[@hericperez]

~Thank you so much for this.

[@macrumpton]

I got mine 2 years ago and it is the best tool I have ever owned. I am constantly finding new stuff it can do. It was worth every penny. Just the ease of use alone is worth the price. You could train a monkey to use it. That being said, there are a few downsides: The proofgrade materials are no bargain. Draftboard for $4 each? You can get nice ⅛" baltic birch plywood for that price. Amazon has much better deals. You are right about the noise, it sounds like a small jet engine. I will have to try the blanket trick. One downside is cleaning the inside. Everything is in one compartment which means that the burnt resins from the wood get on everything, and while it is pretty easy to clean the lens of the camera, cutting lens and the laser mirrors there is lots of stuff inside that is impossible to get to without taking it apart. The good news is the lenses and mirrors are the most necessary to clean. I use packing tape to cover things like the door on the front so when it gets lots of buildup I just peel the tape off. As far as using a flash drive to move files, since it does all the processing in the cloud it seems unlikely that will be possible, although once a cut has started it does not need a connection.

[@laurence1676]

can you cut on acrylic cylinders? or does it have to be flat?

[@daciasdiy1861]

Forza Golf good question

[@maricellagarcia4408]

Forza Golf usuallly for cylinders you need an additional mechanism that turns the cylinder as the laser moves left to right across it. Have not seen that for glowforge but instead for much more expensive professional lasers

[@heathermarryanndiy]

Great video thank you.

[@TheSavageThoughts]

Thank you! I used your code today to purchase the GF for the bookstore I run. I want to be able customize gift items for our customers.

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Hey, what a cool idea, and congrats!

[@walterhynson2898]

Nice Job interview

[@krosettedesigns]

Great video

[@mauifeatherlei]

great review i think i am choosing glowforge oever the silhoutte

[@In2MsChief]

I would like more information on laser and how long they are expected to last and cost to replace them. But, this video did cover some interesting points that need to be considered before purchasing.

[@skylermaddox8278]

They are expected to last 2000 hours working time before maintenance and Glowforge does not take responsibility for injury caused by their lasers, even if they were otherwise warned about a machine being faulty. After the short 6 month crappy warranty they then charge the user shipping and repair fees if there is an issue and will not sell you spare parts directly or help you work on your machine. They also take weeks if not longer to reply to emails and when they do they barely read what you say. Many users are having issues where Glowforge will not help them or will flat rate invoice $749 for you to send your machine to their repair facility for 6 WEEKS or give you the option of paying the $749 and getting a refurb one sent right out. So, basically you buy the damn thing for top dollar and could be paying them $749 yearly and not even for the machine you originally purchased.

[@ruizd14]

Thanks for your review. the noise is not a deal breaker for me as it would go in my garage or the exhaust duct as I have rubber/PVC 4" fittings and adapters all day long since I am mostly into woodworking but recently got into laser engraving with a Sculpfun S9 but looking to expand. The dealbreaker for me right now is the price for the basic model is at around $3,600.00 where a couple years back it was $2,495. After shipping and sales tax I would be looking at over $4,000 out the door. for that I may also shop for and consider a CO2 laser if I am going to make that much of an investment. Trying to keep in under $2,500 so the GF may not be for me. I am not a business just doing it as a hobby and to make stuff for friends and family. Thanks.

[@PWingert1966]

You could try a white, brown or pink noise generator audio clip to counter the sound and provide anti-sound as noise-cancelling speakers do! Find an audio engineer to help you model the correct sound and create a noise-cancelling audio track for it! That might be an interesting video and educational too!

[@frankskupien4368]

Hey man, great review! I ordered my basic with your referral code.

[@CharlesBerryamericanlinkage]

Hope the internet dont go down 150watt laser with a moving crumtray and cooler and air pump with a aftermarket camera and lightburn All total. $3246.00 deck is 4 times as big so you cant call anybody at glowforge !! only e mail or u tube ,,,,,,,,,,, there is no choice. Pro Glowforge $6,000 + shipping no support ,pass thru door 1/4 “ thick non movable crum tray , no chiller to keep laser cool no air pump to clear you piece ....... do you do diligence , save your money!

[@merrymacmurphy]

Thank you for the very informative video. I want a Glowforge! I wish the price could come down a bit and i would get one. :)

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Well, whenever you are able to get one make sure you use my referral code to save some money!

[@Mzfatnelly]

@@MartinsonManufacturing 11qq1q1qqqq

[@sharoncasto9535]

Thank you for the information.

[@Nkelebe]

Thinking of buying this for cutting my designs but I will think about it

[@LaserRanger15]

Good video and a fair review. I've been in this business (more production machines as opposed to a hobby model) for many years. Looks slick. I visited their site. The only comments I would make is; give it offline processing capability (i.e. not just internet driven) and I wish they would not use the term "3D printing". That's a different technology all together and misleading. This is just a flatbed gantry, just like several other manufacturers. Looks like a good little machine for home use but there are others in the same vein, so shop around.

[@justice_rizzo]

Hi hru? Do you have any recommendations? I really want to get one of these but it's extremely expensive. Thank you.

[@bparker86]

Man great reply.

[@eddiejohnson3458]

on the dryer vent your suppose too put clamp behind the first or second metal rings in the hose this way the clamp has something too make sure it does not slip just on papper

[@maryfalgout6124]

Very helpful

[@capsoulgotthehits6719]

Thanks man

[@rogerp5517]

This was a very thorough review. One thing I wonder about is, is there a temperature limit (hot or cold) so if I was to use this in the garage?

[@yubidubi]

If yoiir garage is not temp. controlled I would not recommend.

[@lucasward2648]

It doesn't operate below 40 degrees or above 75.

[@annweber9880]

Actually, the GlowForge has two cameras- one is on the edge and one is in the center (the one that you showed). The center camera is a wide-angle lens, so it sees more of the edge than you implied.

[@sgtawb6904]

wow thanks for posting this. I don't remember seeing anything on the website saying that the machine (and therefore your means of production) is completely dependant on if the internet of things is working that day. Going to have to give this a lot more thought.

[@janhavel8208]

Four 3D printers and you bought the exhaust? ;) I really liked the demonstration of how loud it is.

[@TheJacklwilliams]

He is the MFG of the exhaust plenum... LOL, that wasn't stated in this video. He prints them and sells them.

[@roysreceptive]

I can’t believe this company charges an extra $21 to have an extension pipe on the exhaust port so the hose fits properly. I wonder if Home Depot has a similar fitting that would be cheaper.

[@beehr4468]

Yes Home Depot has PVC you can buy for a lot cheaper

[@rgbcrafts]

Oh, I was hoping, cause I do my stuff by hand. But 4k is waay ahead my porch right now.

[@Acid_Ink]

RGB Crafts 4K is for the pro. There’s one for $2500 too

[@niellaaaa]

Thank you! I was about to get 1 when u saw it. Im allergic to fumes so that’s a big no for me. And that noise wow, sounds like a plane prepping for take off.

[@Zootalaws]

I see a lot of these reviews saying what a great machine these are - always from people that have never used a laser before. If you’re not technically adept, it’s going to insulate you from the tech, at a cost. And when it breaks, you’ll need to pay someone to sort it out. What you get is a $500 40W laser for $4K. It’s not even a particularly good 40W laser, but it’s simple to use for those that don’t want to put in the time to learn. For $4K you could get a machine that’s almost at industrial grade. Not for everyone, but if you want an appliance with a moderately high maintenance schedule (which 90% of glowforge owners are never going to do) and don’t mind dropping $4K to tool around, then sure - cool toy.

[@marcin97]

So what do you recommend instead?

[@Zootalaws]

@@marcin97 any Ruida-controlled 60-80W CO2 from a reputable Chinese manufacturer will outperform this significantly, at a much reduced cost. Not an eBay or amazon machine. Not a K40 (although they perform about the same at $500)

[@kylepayne2820]

@@Zootalaws Can you give an actual recommendation for a specific laser or a "reputable chinese manufacturer"?

[@johnnythefilmmaker]

@@kylepayne2820 yes please share

[@keekeedavis3521]

Mike, can you give a name of one of these with the 60-80W co2 Chinese produced $500ish machines Please?

[@teresacontreras8843]

Hello, I can use this machine to make my own stencil to paint cookies! I love your videos, your explanations are very clear

[@macrumpton]

That is a bit of overkill for that use. A cricut could probably do what you want for about $150.

[@heathertaylor-willockx3632]

I agree. The Cricut is basically made for that. I have the Cricut Maker, but you don't even need that. The most basic model can do stencils. You can probably get one used for less than $100.

[@cplcabs]

You want to spend 4K to make a stencil to paint cookies? Are you mad?

[@missvickie1975]

Thank u sooooooo much for this honest review. I think others who live in my building would hate me if I bought such a noisy machine. Glad I now know how loud it is. You just saved me from getting evicted. Lol

[@GoGetIt411]

Great video! Which system should I purchase to work with the Glowforge? Adobe, Cricut or silhouette?

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Boy, it’s really just user preference. I’ve been using AutoCAD but am going to be transitioning over to Adobe Illustrator. It’s an industry standard and a good program to have under your belt.

[@GoGetIt411]

@@MartinsonManufacturing thank you!!

[@rolandhatton2668]

K40 laser is a great cheap option, does have some downfalls but can save a fortune and do a lot for the price

[@fivevenomstyle6337]

Great review, so I'm curious, when you said it cut through a 1" piece of pine, did you mean that it engraved/carved into it easily, or it actually sliced right through no problem?

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

I should have clarified a little better on that. The Glowforge "cut" through 1" pine, but it took several passes.

[@fivevenomstyle6337]

@@MartinsonManufacturing Thanks for the quick response. That is still pretty impressive.

[@TheTahoeJohn]

Just found your review... two thumbs up, you totally talked me out of buying one of these pieces of junk. Thank you sincerely.

[@gfortiz5544]

Ditto on the internet thing, plus for 4 grand you would think they would throw in that hose extension or do something different. I was thinking about one, not now. I expect them to be somewhat noisy but that sounded like real cheap motors. Thank you very much.

[@jessicabeason7381]

Please don't tape the gap between the lid and front door. It negates the ability for a negative pressure atmosphere inside the bay. In order for it to pull air out of the GF, there has to be a way for air to come in, or it will create a vacuum and nothing can be sucked out.

[@larrystead]

THANK YOU: This video satisfied my curiosity. You did an excellent job of scripting and editing this video, one of the best I have seen on youtube. How do you think this would work to make statuette photo cutouts?

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

The Glowforge would be perfect for that project.

[@martinedwards929]

Clear, concise review. Although I am surprised that after saying that you have 4 3D printers you didn’t have the wherewithal to design and print your own exhaust duct adapter. It certainly wouldn’t have cost you $22!!!

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Maybe I did :)

[@hudiddlediddle]

Thanks for the info. Appreciate the review. Sounds like this is not the machine for me.

[@phenomenal_woman]

Good review. Your background wall, is that real wood? I love the wall treatment.

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Thanks Evelyn. Nope, it's a laminated sheet I found at Home Depot :)

[@theresafessler2343]

thanks for sharing information on the glowforge. In your opinion regarding ventilation, I would be placing it in my craft area in my basement. I have an old unused dryer vent just above where i would place it. From the exhaust port on the glowforge to where the dryer vent hook up is about 5 feet directly above and then there is a run of venting through the ceiling tiles about 14.5 feet across to outdoors. (thus why i moved the dryer vent - too long and was getting clogged). Would this be acceptable for venting the glow forge or would i need some kind of additional fan or something to vent this out? thoughts?

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Theresa, that's a very good question. I suppose you can always try it and see how it works. The exhaust fan in the Glowforge is a very powerful high velocity fan and could probably blow through that much ducting no problem. I would guess that you could still feel a good amount of airflow coming out the other end. The nice thing is you should never have to worry about the duct getting clogged because it's just fumes. Hopefully some of those thoughts are helpful.

[@StefanoRizzotti]

Thanks for the review. Now i have one more reason to purchase a gweike big bad ass Chinese laser for the same price. Unbelievable that you have to stick with the cloud and their material!

[@marixuchocano9422]

hi ! thanks for the review! 2 questions please: would it fit in travel luggage? maybe in 2? would it work with mac? thanks!

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

It's much too big to fit in travel luggage and it will work just fine with a Mac.

[@Scott300300300]

$4,000 this needs to more than a hobby for that price

[@TARAJOSU]

Exactly! That's a full on business purchase

[@Gorgeousbronze1]

No one buys any cutting machine for hobbies. Every one Etsy uses a cutter.

[@TARAJOSU]

Gorgeousbronze -Madison- I don’t know 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@chrisisnowliftingstuff3248]

They have one that's about half that price. Glow forge makes 3. I think this is the top of the line model.

[@bhutch216]

@@TARAJOSU a full on business machine is $35,000. This is the hobby version.

[@flatdog-]

Thank you

[@curtgroen2712]

It would appear to me that if everything goes through Glowforge via the internet, they have access to what files you are burning. BOOM! Everything just became Glowforge property! Thank you for the review.

[@gabrielcoleman3519]

Is it you need the internet and actually have to connect to their server, or is it you need a wifi network to wirelessly connect to it from your device?

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

It needs to connect to their servers. This was a turn off to me at first but a year and a half in and never had a single connection issue. Still would love the USB option, but even if I did I'd still run it via internet 99% of the time.

[@UsernameBarbF]

I found your review to be very helpful. I've been wanting to get a laser printer/cutter and your review touched on points I wouldn't have even thought of. I live in a small town with slow Internet service and that service goes down fairly often. Because Glowforge is Internet dependent, I would NOT buy it. I don't mean to sound stupid, but with my pyrography I have to be careful to wear a mask, especially because some species of wood produce fumes that are highly toxic. Before burning I always look up the wood species to find out what the dangers are. Since you mentioned smoke escaping from the unit into the room, would this cautionary step be necessary when using the Glowforge?

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

I’ve personally never worn a mask when I cut, but I’ve also never cut anything toxic either. I changed my exhaust system a bit and currently have no fumes escaping from the unit.

[@UsernameBarbF]

@@MartinsonManufacturing Here's a link to a Sue Walters article (she's an AMAZING pyrographer) about MDF www.suewalters.com/Safety.html#:~:text=Don't%20leave%20them%20unsupervised,and%20other%20serious%20health%20problems. And here's one article related to MDF and laser cutting--it seems that the critical key to toxic fumes is extremely good ventilation, people who are just getting into laser cutting are, hopefully, researching the potential toxicity of what they intend to cut and then taking proper safety precautions and investing in really good ventilation systems. Thank you for listening and for replying! Here's that 2nd link: www.reddit.com/r/lasercutting/comments/adchkn/mdf_question_about_formaldehyde/

[@hillbillyjeep8078]

What scared me is the comment where you said if their servers are down it won't work. If the products are reliant on the company servers to work then what happens if the company eventually goes bust? I take it you'd be left with a $4000 boat anchor? I'm in the market for a laser engraver, CNC, and 3D printer currently for business purposes and watched this as the Glowforge was one of the products I was looking at. Thank you for your review.

[@nabzfey5674]

Hey hi , am in the market for the same, what did u end up getting of each?

[@jessharris8294]

Well I see every one disappointing about the internet part. I always have an Internet connection at my house 🤷🏽‍♀️ I’m buying next week and I’ll use your code! Thanks for review

[@pushtheweak]

Did you end up getting one? How is it?

[@koruki]

I think the concern was if glowforge shuts off their server one day then you can’t print anymore even if there was nothing wrong with the cutter

[@cplcabs]

It’s now about how good your internet. If the company goes bust, you have a 4K brick. They will use the reliance on the internet connection to add charges. As an example, they have already introduced a premium service which gives premium users priority in the job queue on their servers. So if you are not a premium member and you upload your job at the same time as a load of premium members do, your job will be at the back of the queue, so you will be waiting, in addition to that, you are uploading all your designs to their servers where they will be stored and may be used by them or by hackers. This is a very bad investment.

[@thaleigos3520]

Worth every penny in my opinion

[@cplcabs]

Nope

[@phototec]

Thanks for the review, what is PROOF GRADE MATERIAL? What is the difference over regular Acrylic sheets from a plastic sheet retailer?

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

Great question Jon! Proof Grade Material is basically material that Glowforge has deemed to be safe, and then they put a QR code on it so the Glowforge calibrates itself automatically to cut that material perfectly. I buy my acrylic from an acrylic sheet supplier down the road from me called Port Plastics. I use Glowforge's proofgrade acrylic settings and it cuts my acrylic perfectly. I think Glowforge is just focused on safety. There may be an acrylic supplier out there that puts chemicals in their acrylic that when cut produce harmful vapors, so Glowforge basically puts their stamp of approval on their material saying that their stuff is safe to use in the Glowforge. Most of us start out with the Proof Grade stuff and then quickly move out to material we source elsewhere. Does that help?

[@phototec]

@@MartinsonManufacturing Thanks for the explanation, which makes sense. I was thinking it was about the finish of the materials, kind of like the PROOF GRADE used in coin collecting. I am pretty sure Glowforge does NOT manufacture Arroylic plastic, they source it just like I would, they may purchase large 4' 8' sheets and then cut it down to a size that fits their machine, and mark it up. Here in Central Texas, there are several wholesale plastic sheet supplies and as long as you purchase name brand off the shelf Acrylic sheets, I would bet the material would be just fine to use. Purchasing in bulk always saves money, so purchase large sheets and then cutting them to size to fit your laser using a table same (with the correct blade), will save a lot of money. One of my plastic suppliers offers free shipping with a $100 purchase, they are located 60 miles from me, so that is a great bargain. Do you know if the Glowforge will cut 1/4" Acrylic with a clean edge? How do you keep from getting the burnt edge I have seen in some Gloeforge examples?

[@MartinsonManufacturing]

​@@phototec Sounds like you found a great acrylic supplier! With free shipping even, that's definitely the way to go. I'm moving to Wisconsin next month and i'm hoping I can find a good supplier myself. The Glowforge cuts 1/4" acrylic really well. I just went and looked at my spice rack that I made for out of 1/4" acrylic. The cut edge is pretty clean. It isn't as smooth as glass, but it's pretty clean. The Glowforge will do it in one pass. As far as preventing the burnt edge, masking your materials is the solution. Your acrylic sheets should come pre-masked. However, if you're getting a little more technical (which may have been your previous question) even if you mask your acrylic, the edges will look like they've encountered heat (looking top down on your cut piece, you'll see a faint perimeter - which the average person won't notice. My previous response I was referring to looking at the edge from the side.) To fix these non clean edges (looking at your piece top down) There's something i've started doing which helps. As the laser moves around and hits the metal walls of the honeycomb crumb tray underneath, the laser will flare up causing the edge of the acrylic to degrade and not look like glass anymore (even when it's masked). What you can do is put something underneath the acrylic sheet to raise it up off the crumb tray a little bit and those flares won't hurt it. Hope that helps. Feel free to email me [e-mail] if you'd like to chat more. I can send some pics of 1/4" acrylic I cut if you'd like.