Purchasing An Engraving Machine
When looking to purchase an engraving machine, there are several factors that must be considered. The type of engraving machine (conventional engraving versus laser engraving), the supported engraving surfaces, as well as the power of the engraving machine are all important characteristics of engraving machines. Factory warranties and insurance plans are also an important consideration to make before making a purchase. With the exception of a few machines, most all engraving machines are designed for either professional or industrial use, and as such they carry a hefty price tag.
In this day and age, most modern engraving equipment utilize a laser based engraving system to etch symbols onto metal surfaces. Since the cost of lasers has dropped significantly, I would not suggest purchasing any traditional engraving system (Save for hand burin tools for those who wish to hand craft their work themselves). A forty Watt laser engraving machine can be purchased for as little as one thousand dollars, and is a negligible cost compared to traditional engraving machines with moving parts that can easily break. The cost to fix a single issue with a traditional system can cost hundreds, and is simply not worthwhile for a small engraving business or personal hobby.
For most low level engraving (such as for engraving thin metal plates for trophies) a 40 to 60 watt laser is more than sufficient. There is little reason for much more short of industrial metal cutting, and as such there’s no reason to spend tens of thousands of dollars on an industrial laser engraving machine. From here, the purchasing choice is a balancing act between price and factory warranty. A confident machinist will guarantee their machines for a very long time, and should be considered even if the warranty actually gets used. All in all, regardless of the choice, when purchasing an engraving machine you are purchasing a vital part of your business, and proper research is of the utmost importance.
