The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Lex DeVille's - How I Bought a $4k Laser and Started an Engraving Side Hustle for Free (super easy)

Kid

Gold Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
98%
Mar 1, 2016
1,736
1,707

tomzestatlu

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
159%
Nov 29, 2021
37
59
Czech republic
I have a question for somebody, who has knowledge about engravers.
I enjoyed reading this thread and started to research more about engravers. First I found out, that there are much cheaper engravers, that can do the same work as Glowforge. Since I live in poorer country, I would go for cheaper.

I discussed it with my friend and he's big into guns. Is such type of a engraver as (Glowforge) suitable for stippling designs to polymer part of a gun?
He could potentially throw dozens of customers at me, if I could do such work with this 40W CO2 laser.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20211201_104025.jpg
    Screenshot_20211201_104025.jpg
    290.3 KB · Views: 11
  • Screenshot_20211201_103939.jpg
    Screenshot_20211201_103939.jpg
    249.9 KB · Views: 11

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,927
Utah
I have a question for somebody, who has knowledge about engravers.
I enjoyed reading this thread and started to research more about engravers. First I found out, that there are much cheaper engravers, that can do the same work as Glowforge. Since I live in poorer country, I would go for cheaper.

I discussed it with my friend and he's big into guns. Is such type of a engraver as (Glowforge) suitable for stippling designs to polymer part of a gun?
He could potentially throw dozens of customers at me, if I could do such work with this 40W CO2 laser.

I'm not sure what kind of polymer guns you. In general, Glowforge should cut polymer just fine. But the article below would suggest that it might not work for gun material depending on the type of polymer.


I haven't tried anything like this in my GF, but maybe I will soon just to see how it goes. From the article above, it seems like you might need a different (more expensive) kind of laser.
 

tomzestatlu

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
159%
Nov 29, 2021
37
59
Czech republic
I'm not sure what kind of polymer guns you. In general, Glowforge should cut polymer just fine. But the article below would suggest that it might not work for gun material depending on the type of polymer.


I haven't tried anything like this in my GF, but maybe I will soon just to see how it goes. From the article above, it seems like you might need a different (more expensive) kind of laser.
I did some research and seems like PMAGs for some reason can't be engraved with CO2 laser.

Fiber lasers are mostly used for stippling (but they are much more expensive). On the other hand, Glowforge should do well with polymer guns as shown here:


But every gun manufacturer use different type of polymer material. The most of the guys have Glock and I didn't find any information, if Glock is okay with Co2 laser.
Anyway I would probably give it a go with K40 Co2 40W laser.
 

Raedrum

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
232%
Jul 30, 2019
197
458
I have a question for somebody, who has knowledge about engravers.
I enjoyed reading this thread and started to research more about engravers. First I found out, that there are much cheaper engravers, that can do the same work as Glowforge. Since I live in poorer country, I would go for cheaper.

I discussed it with my friend and he's big into guns. Is such type of a engraver as (Glowforge) suitable for stippling designs to polymer part of a gun?
He could potentially throw dozens of customers at me, if I could do such work with this 40W CO2 laser.

I wonder if this would work with airsoft replicas... The polymers are softers and there is definitely a pool of customers who are willing to pay to make there replicas uniques.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

tomzestatlu

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
159%
Nov 29, 2021
37
59
Czech republic
Today I´ve spent few hours googling about posibility of using GF (or generally CO2 40W engraver) for stippling handguns, especially Glocks.

Conclusion is no.
Glock use very hard polymer. It can by engraved by CO2, but the quality of outcome is very low.
There are some photos in this thread:

I guess airsoft guns could be okay.

Fot this kind of work, it´s preferable to use fiber laser. Which is X times more expensive than chineese CO2 engraver. On the other hand, not so much higher compared to GF. And you can use it also to dig into metal parts.
 

ItsAJackal

Bronze Contributor
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
120%
Oct 16, 2018
177
213
I was just thinking about this thread this morning and wondered how this side business was going. Are you still posting videos and making revenue? Doing custom engraving jobs?
 

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,927
Utah
I was just thinking about this thread this morning and wondered how this side business was going. Are you still posting videos and making revenue? Doing custom engraving jobs?
I never posted another video after the first 10 or so. Been earning passive income from referrals ever since. With those 10 videos, my laser channel has grown to nearly 1,200 subscribers.

I tried to get my dad to take up this business idea as recently as a month ago because I believe it is still 100% doable.

As far as custom engraving jobs, I've been making and selling items on Etsy, but I usually combine laser-cut items with other woodwork creations I make. Still, there are a million ideas that require nothing but the laser.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,927
Utah
Here's a Glowforge Etsy store with a creative idea that seems to be doing well.


They've sold a ton of DIY Kits that were cut on the Glowforge. The one in the image is priced at $79.00.

DIY Kit.jpg
 

BizyDad

Keep going. Keep growing.
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
416%
Oct 7, 2019
2,885
11,989
Phoenix AZ
Here's a Glowforge Etsy store with a creative idea that seems to be doing well.


They've sold a ton of DIY Kits that were cut on the Glowforge. The one in the image is priced at $79.00.

View attachment 41183
Man, the creativity of some people, and the ability to execute on that creativity just blows my mind.
 

matduans

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
30%
Dec 30, 2021
10
3
malaysia
Sure, here's some different things in wood and acrylic. I prefer working with acrylic since it's more clean and I can make lights out of it. Wood is fun too, but more challenging.

View attachment 24380View attachment 24381 View attachment 24382 View attachment 24383 View attachment 24384 View attachment 24385 View attachment 24386
wow
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Andy Black

Help people. Get paid. Help more people.
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
370%
May 20, 2014
18,563
68,689
Ireland
Man, the creativity of some people, and the ability to execute on that creativity just blows my mind.
Yeah. I feel very “linear” sometimes.
 

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,927
Utah
Hey @Lex DeVille would you mind sharing your affiliate link

I think it's this one to get the discount.
Glowforge Discount Link

According to my videos it gives you one of the following:
$500 off Glowforge Pro
$250 off Glowforge Plus
$100 off Glowforge Basic
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

BulkPaintings

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
108%
Jan 9, 2022
13
14
Turkey
Earlier this year I bought a brand new $4,000 laser engraver. Then I started a laser engraving side hustle business. I did all of this without paying anything out of pocket. Here's how...

View attachment 24379

Step 1 - Choose a Laser (I chose Glowforge)

Step 2 - Get Financing (I used a USAA personal loan)

Step 3 - Order Laser

Step 4 - Learn the Fundamentals of Engraving (practice on free materials they send)

Step 5 - Find Niche Forums/FB Groups and create products they will love

Step 6 - Offer those people the product

Step 7 - Create a YouTube channel

Step 8 - Post some videos about laser engraving as a business (I have 10 I think)

Step 9 - Add laser affiliate link in video description


That's it. My whole process. My monthly laser payment is like $136 and I make anywhere from $120 to $600 in sales per month (I only have one product for sale and only listed on one private forum).

Each month I also make affiliate sales. Last month I made somewhere around $700 in affiliate sales through my YT link and this month I've earned at least $200 in affiliates. I haven't paid anything out of pocket for the laser and my affiliate link is only listed on YT.

I run this as a super low-maintenance side hustle for now. It's not a priority. This exact process could be repeated in the laser market, or with other maker market tools.

You can take this much much further than I've gone and you can do it without a website, without any experience, without a degree, and without any money.

K go do it. No excuses, thanks.
impressive i like the idea and your motivation, currently i am doing digital fabric paintings and have my own equipment for printing, its a good business, already delivering in bulk to clients in four countries, clients happy i am happy.
 

kubikdanon

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
89%
Apr 4, 2017
56
50
USA
Anyone has any information on 3d printing glass? By quick google search it appears technology is not there yet, but maybe I am missing something.
 

Johnny boy

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
620%
May 9, 2017
2,929
18,172
27
Washington State
Check out makerspaces near you to find places that have tons of equipment including engraving machines, CNC machines, 3-d printing, etc. all for a monthly fee.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Strm

Mamba Mentality!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
221%
Feb 4, 2018
340
751
32
Estonia
Thanks, @Lex DeVille for this valuable walk-through. Really interesting!
I've been looking into starting something similar for the past couple of weeks. Thinking about getting engraver and also uv-printer. Was planning to use my own money but getting funding.. hmm not a bad idea!
 

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,927
Utah
Thanks, @Lex DeVille for this valuable walk-through. Really interesting!
I've been looking into starting something similar for the past couple of weeks. Thinking about getting engraver and also uv-printer. Was planning to use my own money but getting funding.. hmm not a bad idea!

I think it's awesome owning a laser engraver. I create small-batch custom-branded projects all the time. Tried to get my dad to buy one a few months ago and follow the exact process from this thread. He never did, but I still think it's worth it enough to recommend doing this.

There are a bazillion niches to serve. Especially on Etsy. I'm using the laser right now to create branded ecom products. I don't just use the laser anymore when it comes to products. I combine it with other maker space stuff to come up with really unique things that nobody else has.

For instance, most of my efforts lately have combined laser cutting/engraving pieces, attaching those pieces to my woodwork creations, and now I've added the Cricut Explore Air 2 to the line up so I can add vinyl and stickers to my products and create custom labels. I create my own packaging out of pallet wood too.
 

Boogie

Bronze Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
219%
Nov 27, 2014
202
442
Midwest, USA
Thanks for bringing your use of the cricut in your business.

The beauty of these machines, glowforge, cricut, or silhouette, is that they are very inexpensive for what you get if you can incorporate them into your business. The ability to prototype iteratively and deliver easily outweighs the cost.

If I'm thinking this through correctly, smaller mock-ups for larger things that will eventually be made of wood or metal could easily be done with the glow forge. Furniture models could probably be made from plans with the glow forge to be able to see and feel what you've sketched out, before you go into production and use more materials for a full size mock-up. Actually, paper models could probably be made with the cricut, as well.

I do like the idea of being in a physical product space as well as what I'm working on. Printing while I'm working on something else is the kind of double dipping that I like.

I need to think through more ideas where these might be valuable for someone with little graphical ability like me and go grab them.

Thanks for the thread.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Fastlane Liam

Silver Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
148%
Feb 10, 2018
407
604
27
United Kingdom
Always thought about buying a 3D Printer and doing something figure related with content, but also personalised stuff. Lex, was it really that easy to start getting traction and income from those 10 videos? Hows the laser engraving going these days are you still doing it? Whats your main source of income from it, is it making custom orders for people?
 

Drchainsaw

Contributor
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
108%
Nov 2, 2021
39
42

patchy

New Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
55%
Oct 15, 2022
20
11
Sure, here's some different things in wood and acrylic. I prefer working with acrylic since it's more clean and I can make lights out of it. Wood is fun too, but more challenging.

View attachment 24380View attachment 24381 View attachment 24382 View attachment 24383 View attachment 24384 View attachment 24385 View attachment 24386
These are F*cking awesome!!!!! I have dogs and it would be great to create a dog on acrylic for people! How do i get started? Like putting lights on the acrylic, lazer cutting it, any finishes i'd have to do? I dont have alot of money so will a budget lazer cutter do? I can really see myself setting up shop here with the dog niche
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Lex DeVille

Sweeping Shadows From Dreams
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
597%
Jan 14, 2013
5,351
31,927
Utah
These are F*cking awesome!!!!! I have dogs and it would be great to create a dog on acrylic for people! How do i get started? Like putting lights on the acrylic, lazer cutting it, any finishes i'd have to do? I dont have alot of money so will a budget lazer cutter do? I can really see myself setting up shop here with the dog niche
I purchased the LED base pre-made, but it's easy to order LED light strips if you want to build/cut your own base. When you use acrylic, the light shines on one side (in the examples it's the bottom side) and then travels along the cut and engraved areas to light up the piece.

Most lasers can cut acrylic, but you'd have to do your own research into the laser you're considering. I don't know anything about lasers other than Glowforge. That said, I outlined a proven process to purchase a Glowforge without any cash upfront. Referral commissions paid for my Glowforge. I didn't pay anything out of pocket. It doesn't get much more budget-friendly than that.
 

patchy

New Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
55%
Oct 15, 2022
20
11
I purchased the LED base pre-made, but it's easy to order LED light strips if you want to build/cut your own base. When you use acrylic, the light shines on one side (in the examples it's the bottom side) and then travels along the cut and engraved areas to light up the piece.

Most lasers can cut acrylic, but you'd have to do your own research into the laser you're considering. I don't know anything about lasers other than Glowforge. That said, I outlined a proven process to purchase a Glowforge without any cash upfront. Referral commissions paid for my Glowforge. I didn't pay anything out of pocket. It doesn't get much more budget-friendly than that.
Yes that process was very helpful it's a gem and i'm looking into this as i'm an digital artist (I drew my profile picture) i have so many ideas. I've came across this before but the person on instagram was really stuck up and stubborn to help someone with usuful tips. I'm glade you posted this and i will now go away and do some research
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

Latest Posts

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top