Why I Chose Thunder Laser Over The Other Guys

#thunderlaser #choosingalaser #laserengraving
Buying a laser is a big investment and choosing the right one can be tricky. In this video, I break down why I chose Thunder Laser and what my criteria was when making that choice.
Watch my laser unloading video here ---- • Thunder Nova 51 Unboxi...
Watch my laser setup video here ----- • Thunder Laser Nova 51 ...

[@eM3enthusiast]

The Aeon Nova 14 is a similar size to the Nova 51 and features a passthrough (The Mira 9 is smaller than this.) I love that my chiller is built in and not beside the machine. Aeon support has been so amazing as well! Both are great machines! I love the speeds of my Aeon!

[@ThingsKatieMakes]

Katie - this was an awesome video! Thanks for sharing - just got my Thunder and loving it!

[@addicted2diy]

Thank you! They are the best, aren’t they?!

[@computercreationz]

What a great video, I enjoyed it.

[@addicted2diy]

Thank you so much, Robert!

[@gregsandidge5649]

Great machine. I've had mine (@100W) for 3 years.

[@GarlandFarms]

But you can't use the pass-through feature because you have the machine backed-up against the wall, correct?

[@addicted2diy]

No. The laser is on locking casters, which allows me to easily unlock and roll it forward to utilize the pass through. With the laser being so large, I’ve actually never needed to utilize the rear pass through door to this point. I’ve only used the front. But should I need to, everything is set up to easily allow for it.

[@GarlandFarms]

@@addicted2diy Thank you. Would using the pass-through require "indexing"?

[@addicted2diy]

@@GarlandFarms having never fully used it, I am not sure, but I would imagine it would. I have used the front only for larger pieces that I didn’t cut prior to placing in the laser. I’ve not used it to engrave or cut anything that was longer than my bed size

[@Diina21]

Hey! Are you able to do a video on the program on how you do your designs and then send to print?

[@fretworkpeddler]

Great video! Thank you.

[@addicted2diy]

Thank you! I hope you found it helpful!

[@alejandrorochaweimar9442]

Did you look into Omtech ? I just discovered the Thunder laser brand. I want to start working on acrylic signs and Im so overwhelmed not knowing what to buy. Also I need a small machine because I live in an apartment but planing to move to a house in a few months.

[@onthecornerwinslowarizona9679]

Talked me into it...

[@addicted2diy]

That’s amazing!!! I’m so glad I was able to help!

[@jimdfwwoodworks37]

Where do you live? Im in New River AZ. Im just getting ready to pull the trigger on a Thunder and would probably end up in my garage wood shop. Temperature is a concern for me

[@addicted2diy]

The only temperature issue I have is that my MacBook will not work properly if the temperatures are too high. What I do in that instance is just move my portacool towards that area to help keep it cool. The laser itself runs perfectly fine. The chiller works just like a refrigerator, so it keeps the water at a good working temperature. If the chiller isn’t working properly, it will alarm and let you know it is too hot. Haven’t experience any of that yet.

[@jimdfwwoodworks37]

@@addicted2diy Thank you. Good to know. My office is on the back side of the shop so I can just run a cable between the two. I have a portable AC and a portable evap cooler in the shop. I do like the features on this machine compared to the others.

[@addicted2diy]

To answer your first question, I’m in Peoria, so same weather. I think you would be perfectly fine running a portable AC unit back there. Basically make it bearable enough for you to work and for your computer to work. With all of the research I did, this machine definitely stood out over the others and I’ve not been disappointed yet.

[@catechops1970]

Hi Katie! Great informative video! Did you consider AP Lazer? I'm on the fence about AP because they offer the "open architecture" for bigger items. I just don't know about that option if I'll ever need it plus their $$$$!!! lol

[@addicted2diy]

I've actually never even heard of AP Laser, but I just googled it. It definitely looks like an interesting machine! Not sure on their pricing or the difference between them and Thunder. I do wish websites were a little more transparent with what the pricing is for people who are just getting started with research. Definitely one thing that I love about the Thunder website. The "open architecture" does sound pretty cool for really large items. I guess it just depends on what you plan to engrave and whether the cost difference would be worth it to you. ETA: I just found their pricing. 😳

[@catechops1970]

@@addicted2diy .... $$$$$ = Holy Mother of PEARL!!! lol.... yeah..... So I basically need to figure out that is the $$$ worth the rare opportunity to engrave something bigger than the norm.... Thank you for the response!!!

[@catechops1970]

Just an FYI.... I went with Thunder..... received my 51/100 last week...... WOOOOOT WOOOOT!

[@crystalpoilievre8538]

I have been doing cnc cutting for 20 plus years. We had a glow forge and sold it. I am currently in the same boat trying to choose between AP and Thunder. My quotes are about $10 000CAN difference between the 2. AP being the more expensive. So I think the likely hood of recouping that $10 000 just in big jobs that the AP can do would take a long time. I think thunder will be my go to.

[@Z-add]

Thunder is really gaining mind share over aeon and boss laser. Btw boss layer has 4 passthrough doors.

[@addicted2diy]

I was really on the fence between Aeon and Thunder, but when I had phone calls with both companies and watched a bunch of videos, the decision was easy. Aeon is a little faster, but Thunder allows so much more control over the machine.

[@eM3enthusiast]

@@addicted2diy How so?

[@steinbierz]

Great video! Did you consider the 63? I am on the fence between the 51 or 63.

[@addicted2diy]

Thank you! I did consider the 63, but really just didn’t think I needed it. I was thinking of being able to feed plywood sheets into it that were 4’ wide. I had completely forgotten that Baltic birch comes in 5’ sheets, because I’m so used to breaking it down right away to use on my CNC. So if you use a lot of Baltic birch, the 63 would be amazing because you wouldn’t need to break it down to put into the laser.

[@steinbierz]

@@addicted2diy Thanks for the reply...the use of Baltic Birch and needing a bigger machine for that makes a lot of sense. I think this just swayed me to the 63.

[@addicted2diy]

Happy that I could help you decide!

[@paulspicer1200]

Looking forward to your cornhole video with your laser!

[@addicted2diy]

You can find it here! I’ve made so many sets like this and I’m making three more this week! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpuwiIevoNGmldkfeature=shared

[@jsvalentin]

This video is bias and promoting thunder is not a fair comparison