Glowforge laser cutters are great if you want an easy, accessible machine that offers reasonable power. But, the best Glowforge alternatives I’ll list below do an even better job, and at a ... Read more
The main differences between CNC mills and CNC routers are that CNC mills are better for hard materials like steel, have a larger Z-axis movement and are great for tall material blocks, ... Read more
A year ago, the Ortur Laser Master 2 Pro reigned supreme as the best budget laser engraver around. Then xTool released the xTool D1 Pro, a 10W laser with a better build ... Read more
When it comes to Snapmaker vs xTool, the main question is whether the laser on the Snapmaker 2.0 A350T is enough for your projects, or whether you need a specialized machine like ... Read more
In the battle of spindle vs router for your CNC machine, the victor really depends on your specific needs. For industrial-grade operations and longevity, a spindle reigns supreme – but for lightweight ... Read more
Two of the world’s most popular low-cost CNC routers share similar names and specs, but not such comparable prices. These are the Sainsmart Genmitsu’s 3018 Pro and 3018-PROVer CNC routers, which appear ... Read more
The Inventables X Carve is one of the most popular hobbyist CNC routers on the market, but that doesn’t mean that it’s right for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a larger working ... Read more
If you’re looking to upgrade your workshop or set up a business, you’ve almost definitely run into the Glowforge vs CNC routers debate. For the Glowforge, its strength lies in precision engraving ... Read more
In your quest to find the best laser software, you’re likely to stumble across the Lightburn vs LaserGRBL. While both are impressive in their own right, there are some pretty important differences ... Read more
In my opinion, xTool makes the best diode lasers, and the xTool D1 Pro is the flagship sub-$1000 laser cutter for hobbyists and small businesses alike. But, with three options available, the ... Read more
When buying a diode laser cutter, there are two competitors that stand above the rest: the xTool D1 Pro vs Atomstack x7 Pro. I have hands-on testing with many diode lasers and ... Read more
The controller is one of the essential parts of any CNC, laser, or 3D printer. If you don’t want to buy industrial controllers, you have two choices: you can either turn an Arduino board ... Read more
xTool makes some of the best laser engravers around, and I personally think the xTool D1 Pro is the best diode laser out right now. The xTool D1 was the most popular ... Read more
In this article, I’ll compare Mach3 vs Mach4 over its current issues, capabilities, intended audience, price, features, support, and more. I’ll go in-depth here, but if you want a quick summary, I’ve ... Read more
In my comparison of the Maslow CNC vs MakerMade M2, overall the MakerMade M2 offers significant improvements over Maslow Classic in accuracy, ease of assembly, and speed. However, it’s twice the price ... Read more
Overview Fiber and CO2 lasers are more accessible and affordable than ever – but while they’re both laser cutters, they also differ greatly. They suit very different materials, so if you buy ... Read more
Cricut is a popular brand for craft making that uses blades to cut a variety of materials. Laser cutters are another type of machine used in crafting and DIY projects, but there ... Read more
There are three versions of the Glowforge (one of the most popular laser cutters): the Basic, Plus, and Pro. These all differ in terms of price, speed, and power, so it’s important ... Read more
Glowforge and xTool are both titans in the laser cutting space. Both companies offer impressive products that are very popular. Within the laser cutting community, there’s a lot of discussion between xTool ... Read more
I have owned, hands-on tested, and reviewed both the Ortur Laser Master 3, and the OLM2 Pro, and so I’m well-versed in the differences between these two affordable diode lasers. TLDR: buy ... Read more
Personally, I lean towards Onshape. Onshape is better than SolidWorks if you have a team that designs together, and Onshape will also save you a lot of money. But, SolidWorks is more ... Read more
AutoCAD and SolidWorks are two of the most widely used CAD programs. But, AutoCAD and SolidWorks are very different, so learning their differences is important for anyone who wants to work with ... Read more
SolidWorks and CATIA are prominent CAD software with a wide range of applications, both made by Dassault Systemes. But, they target different industries, and there are different job opportunities for CATIA and ... Read more
Good quality desktop lasers supercharge your creativity, allowing you to cut and engrave wood, acrylics, metals (engraving only), and so much more. If you’re looking to set up a small business selling ... Read more
The Flux Beamo and Glowforge are two very similar machines – enclosed laser cutter and engravers with major power at mid-range prices. So, how do you decide which is the right choice ... Read more
Buying a laser cutting machine opens up many possibilities for a shop or a hobbyist. If you are looking for an entry-level professional laser that can quickly cut through wood and acrylic, ... Read more
So you’ve decided you need an entry-level laser. You’re full of creative ideas you’re sure will sell well, and are looking to sell your designs on Etsy or in your personal store. ... Read more
Full disclosure, when I was tasked with writing an article pitting FreeCAD vs Fusion 360 I picked the winner before I wrote word one. I’m happy to admit I was wrong to ... Read more
If you’re looking for a cutting and engraving machine that makes it easy to make crafts from a variety of materials, the Glowforge and Cricut machines are both popular options. However, they’re ... Read more
The X Carve by Inventables, and Glowforge’s Basic, Plus and Pro range are some of the most popular hobbyist and small business machines around – ideal for cutting and shaping materials. But ... Read more