Ortur Laser Master 3

K

Ken H>

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Dec 31, 2011
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After reading his thread on the Ortur Laser Master 3 and how well it engraved metal I ordered one also. Got it yesterday and must say I'm well pleased with how well it works. Here's on example how well it engraves 64 Rc 26C3 metal:
IMG-4796.jpg

I'm still learning, not only the laser but also LightBurn program. The two guys who own and write the program sure do a good job. So far, I'm impressed with the program. I didn't even try the freebie program that comes with the laser, just downloaded LightBurn.

10 watts of laser power, as well as the tiny dot used to condense the power does a pretty good job.

I have lightly sanded with 1200 grit, and really scrubbed with scotchbright and so far the etch is holding up good. The etch isn't very deep, but you can feel it and the engraving stayed dark even after hard scrubbing. Those two dots to the left of the hen - not sure what those are. Most likely in the surface before I did the engraving.

I have cut a small piece of 11 oz leather and it does a good job - but does smell the place up a bit. I'd like to use the laser to cut out sheaths and holsters, but the patterns do have to be drawn up in CAD.
 
Are you using a spray on coating for engraving metal, or is this a fiber laser?
Their web site doesn't say what type laser it is, nor what type metals it will engrave.
 
K Ken H> ,
Once you get it set up and “dialed in”, how long does it take to etch your mark?
Thanks,
Edited, I see you mentioned the depth in your post.
 
Bill, it's the first diode laser I've seen that does metal direct. (edit: now I see there are several other diode lasers) No spray involved. It does SS or carbon either hardened or annealed.

I think it's ok to post this Walter Sorrel's video link about the laser since it's solely educational:

The mark shown above is about an inch square, did 3 passes at 100% power. Took about 3 to 4 minutes. The depth doesn't feel much deep at all, but it seems like it will hold up nicely. As mentioned, I sanded, then have scrubbed a couple of times with a scotchbright scrubbing pad and still looks good. Is it better than electro-chem etching? Naw, don't really think so, but does seem to be more hardy. The same amount of sanding 'n scrubbing on an electro-chem etch seems to remove more of the black than it does on this laser mark. The laser is much more flexible since the text or drawing can be changed easily without having to make new templates. There is a learning curve to using it, just like a CNC machine.

Will it ever pay for itself? Not for me - I'm a hobby just for fun type.
 
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How close is the operation to using a printer, as far as designs go? Can you engrave from JPEGS and similar formats?
 
Bill, the operation is somewhat like using a printer. Yes, jpg file, png, dxf, even gcode files can be imported to the software. I'm using LightBurn which seems to be what 99% of folks recommend. The learning curve to use the software and laser seems pretty steep for getting in-depth. For simple stuff like a text to engrave, or simple lines is easy. The actual etch time depends very much on the complexity of the image.

I setup to etch "Marilyn" on a glass bottle yesterday and the timer showed 20 minutes to etch. It was a fairly complex setup to etch. I stopped in when only the "M" was etched. Looked really good but we were leaving for shopping and didn't have time to allow it to finish and I wasn't comfortable with leaving it running while I was gone.
 
I just looked at their website, very interesting. Apparently it can cut out patterns and shapes in wood, such as scales, at least 20mm thick. It's cheaper than my disc grinder... I just need to find a few applications of interest to my wife...
 
I've been using xtool d1 10w diode laser and lightburn for a year now - mostly for marking metal and cutting basswood blade dxf format template. Agreed with Ken on lightburn, it is a versatile and easy to use. Marking steel with spray coating is about 10-20% darker but sure not worth the time and cost - just crank up the power and or slow down the movement rate.

It is quite easy to char/burn thick material, found mid-power and 3-10 passes turn out well.

20W diode could be fun but probably quite loud. I'd looked into various fiber laser - if/when need a high marking production, I sure would buy a ~$10K models.
 
You might wish to look at the Atomstack 4 fiber laser. It's about twice as expensive but does seem to be better. Biggest problem the software that comes with it only runs on Windoz. No Linux or Mac. This guy is running on a Mac with software, much like Wine for Linux I expect.

That xtool d1 laser looks good also. I wasn't really interested in spray coating for marking either. The Ortur LM3 is the first I'd seen that would do it. Now I see there are other lasers in the same class, such as the xtool D1 10 watt diode laser.
 
Ortur lm3 was a contender but chose xtool d1 for its stiff frame. I was looking at jpt mopa 100w fiber laser - able to deep etch&oxidize metal and fast cutting(minimal burn) non-metallic materials.
 
bluntcut said:
Ortur lm3 was a contender but chose xtool d1 for its stiff frame. I was looking at jpt mopa 100w fiber laser - able to deep etch&oxidize metal and fast cutting(minimal burn) non-metallic materials.
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Can fiber cut non metal material? I thought it was only co2 and diode?
 
I think I'll try one. Not much more expensive than a good etcher and stencils. And less work and more fun from the looks of it
 
I jumped in before I did much research and got the OLM3. Not sure any of the others are that much better. I suspect all 3 or 4 of the 10 watt diode lasers are in the same range of abilities. All of them are in the $600 range. To get to the next level of 20 watt lasers you're looking at $1K to $1200 or so. For pure metal engraving a fiber would be best for sure and those can be had for not much more than the 20 watt.

I got into electro-chem etching for well less than $100. I do make my own stencils. Another guy gets well over 100 to 200 etches from each stencil I've made for him. He "said" he used one stencil all year - and sold over 500 units that had been etched with that one stencil.

A laser is going to be a good bit more expensive than stencils 'n etching- but a lot more fun :)
 
Ken H> said:
I got into electro-chem etching for well less than $100. I do make my own stencils. Another guy gets well over 100 to 200 etches from each stencil I've made for him. He "said" he used one stencil all year - and sold over 500 units that had been etched with that one stencil.

A laser is going to be a good bit more expensive than stencils 'n etching- but a lot more fun :)
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Hej man I'm trying to convince myself into buying a laser here! 😅
 
Use my reason "I want it" :)

The laser is a LOT easier to custom etch a design on a knife than are stencils. If you make a hog hunter a knife, you can easy etch a charging wild boar on the blade with his name. Wedding gift knives can be etched with bride 'n groom's name and date of wedding. Lots of neat things can be etched.

How's that for good reasons?
 
Ken H> said:
Use my reason "I want it" :)

The laser is a LOT easier to custom etch a design on a knife than are stencils. If you make a hog hunter a knife, you can easy etch a charging wild boar on the blade with his name. Wedding gift knives can be etched with bride 'n groom's name and date of wedding. Lots of neat things can be etched.

How's that for good reasons?
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You had me at the word laser
 
DanF said:
“She needs and therefor wants”,
it.
Created the need and now it is hers and I get to use.
Win-win
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Did you come up with anything better than making jigsaw puzzles from our photos? That's my best one so far, not ready for prime time.
 
Wasn’t much of a struggle here, she is a bigger tech junkie than me, loves making holiday gifts for everyone.
I did overhear her mumbling something about the Xtool D1 pro with the 20w laser. I acted like I didn’t hear her, but inside I was doing my happy dance. 🕺
 
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