commarker laser reviews

Review of the Com marker 1Q1 10 watt Galvo lasers 

 

The Com marker Q1 10W is one of the newest galvo laser engraver from our friends at com marker.

It is a 10w Galvo laser which is brilliant for cutting and engraving materials such as wood, coloured acrylic, leather and capable of marking most materials.

About me

Unboxing and First Impressions

Assembling

Software

Safety Note

Test Cuts and Engravings

My verdict

Useful links

About me

When I started with laser cutting a few years ago with a cnc 3018 pro. i Never knew where it would lead me. Ok it wasn't as easy as i first thought, There was so much to learn. so after many hours watching YouTube videos and reading post of Facebook, i got to the point where i wanted/needed a better laser engraver. so I become a member of one of the biggest groups on Facebook, then became a moderator and now i run laser life which is a new group for people who are new to laser engraving, And i also review Laser engravers direct from the people who make them.

So on that note i would like to add.

I do not get paid by any company that i am reviewing, Yes i get to test their latest equipment and i am happy to refer customers via the affiliation schemes. But they do not pay me to write bias reviews, All my reviews are carried out with a let see attitude and my findings are put down into words. Good or bad you get it all.

If the companies don't like my review then i guess i won't be reviewing them again..

You will get my honest opinion of the machine.

 

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Q1 arrived in one box, inside that box is another box containing the Q1.

In the box you will receive the following 

 see pictures facebook not playing properly so will add more when they allow me too 

 

The items are well packaged and nothing moves whilst in transit.

Sample pack to get you going, all the tooles you need to put the Q1 together and a pair of googles that look cool enough to go out in.

 

Time to Build

I took everything out of the box and laid it out, The actual Q1 took about 15 mins to build helped by the fact that they have used thumb screws instead of Allen key bolts.

Everything went together really easy without any problems, Even a novice would not have any problems.

Ok time to take it into the workshop and plug it in.metallic shade of blue, on the bottom you will find. On/off button, ignition, emergency stop button, up and down button so you can line up the focus which is helped by a blue dot and a red dot, Which you just have to line up and boom your ready to go.

The design of these machines always reminds me of the old school overhead projectors, well if your old enough to remember them that is.

From the bottom up you have the base where all the brains are which also holds your work, then your upright focus next leading to the head which holds all fancy mirrors and lens.

 

Software

The Q1 uses ezcad2, (which was alien to me) It is supplied on the included USB stick, install was easy and i was connected in no time.

Ezcad2 is not something i use but it is simple enough, and there are plenty of guides out on the web.

You can use LIGHTBURN But will need to buy another license if you already own Light burn as you have to install the driver for the Galvo laser. If your new to Light burn not a problem you can download a 30-day trial and install the galvo drivers. Shame Light burn feel the need to make more money from its users.

Be warn it is not straight forward to install the Galvo to light burn, But there are details in the user manual

Let's talk about the laser.

We have a 10w Galvanometer Laser. The galvanometer laser of Galvo laser is an electro mechanical instrument that is used to deflect a light beam with the help of a mirror,

Or in plain talk , it has a mirror set inside the Galvo system of this laser and uses the mirror structure and technology to move the laser beam in the desired direction. All smoke and mirrors (sorry couldn't resist)

Extra safety

Well you get a snazzy pair of goggles to protect your eyes, You also get a protection shield which just stand in front of the Q1, But it works and i won't knock it for that.

You also have a emergency stop button which stops the laser machine in its tracks,

You also have a set of keys which you can take with you to stop anyone using you new Galvo laser when you not about.

Please wear your safety glasses you only get one set of eyes

even just the flashing reflection coming from under the laser module shield can cause damage to your eyes, even pets.

Sorry to bang on about this but if you burn your eye balls out how can you laser engrave on your new Q1 Galvo laser engraver.

Test Cuts and Engravings

Right double check that everything looks in place and i start my testing process.

I have started the ignition so here we go.

Cardboard

I started my test using materials that require the least power to mark, i like to build up the suspense.

Well maybe i should have checked the settings as my first attempt burnt right through the cardboard. Well i guess that works ok.

so i adjusted the power and did a Q1 on the cardboard. and as expected it came out ok.

i won't bother trying to cut the cardboard because my first attempt did that ok at 100% power 

5/5

Plywood

A quick clip art picture as always. Don't want any lawsuits for copyright infringements.

The speed this machine gets things done is awesome.

Aw! a little swan that will do. ok turned the power down to 30% 

That too came out ok Not the perfect picture so i will do a proper picture later.

As for cutting the 4 mm wood was easy, and they say on their website it can do 8 mm with no problem.

5/5

Cutting 4 mm ply 

100% power again and slow speed and again no problem.

5/5

Slate coaster (image)

Santa and his reindeer,

very nice and again took not time at all

5/5

Black Acrylic 6 mm

power 100% speed 1000 

well that cut a perfect circle, What am i going to do with all these circles ??

5/5

My Verdict.

This is my verdict written in my words without any input from Com marker. I can only write what i find and i am in no way compensated for my results and remain impartial.

But please bear in mind this is my findings and it may very from others.

I am overall impressed with this little gem. Ideal if you do craft fairs as it takes no time at all to get things done and its small enough to put in your car and start selling personalized items as they wait.

My first glance at the machine and it looks like it can do what it was made for.

Whilst there maybe some better makes out there, this one is an ideal starting point as it is budget friendly and so what easy to use.

The only draw back for me was with light burn and nothing to do with this laser from com marker.

Easy to build and setup, no issues at all.

Simple to use and thanks to the framing light it's easy to line your materials up.

This is a cool Galvo laser machine from com marker and i expect even greater machines to come out of their warehouse in the future. 

Would i recommend ?

Yes I would. Like i said previously there are others out there, but it was cheaper than a lot on the market. If you new to Galvo then this is for you just play around and you will soon be producing some amazing projects.

Any negatives ?

User manual could be a little clearer, but it covers all you need to get you up and running.

Reviewed by:

Laser life

Some useful links

Com marker Q1 

commarker website

if you buy one from the above link please use laser life in the discount box for even more of a saving. PLUS buy it now for another 200 bucks off.

Light burn software trial https://lightburnsoftware.com

laser life Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/562260685816007

Email us. Laserlife2023@gmail.com

Any questions or you would like us to review your products then please get in touch.