Are there any places in the LA area that teach this or sell engravers/cutters?
I am a laser user and a dealer of Universal Laser Systems Versalaser. I am not in LA but you may want to look at the Versalaser, it starts at $9,995 for a 25 watt (which is the one I have) and you can purchase a filter kit that would allow you to not have to vent it out of your apartment.
While I understand that this business is fun and exciting, I must be honest with you. It is not ok to run a laser in an apartment. The reasons are many. A filter isn’t going filter out all of the toxins generated when cutting acrylics, plastics and certain types of woods. It is irresponsible to imply otherwise. Filters are generally run in malls, etc. where the space is enormous. Even so, I have a friend who was asked to leave a mall because shoppers complained of the smell from the filter unit. It is not a magic cure all. In a small apartment it would take no time at all for you to inhale this. Laser dealers sometimes get carried away when they see someone interested in our industry… Besides, a filter will not eliminate the noise issue. For further consideration are business insurance, a business license, etc. Have you checked your lease to see if you are allowed to have a business in your apartment if you can get all of these things? I am assuming that you plan to do things legally… Sorry to rain on your parade but I just couldn’t help but voice my thoughts…
No, no, totally agree– got to be careful. I have run a small business from my home before, in fact still do — soaps and fiber art. No big smell or fumes there though (unless you of course count raw wool, hehehe). And I wouldn’t plan on trying to run a filter that would be enclosed in the apartment. I have a large balcony that would serve as a place to run the equipment and any exhaust would be vented to the alleyway — large and un occupied. I could store the unit inside and when I want to use it would be on the outside. ANyroad, just thinking, just gathering information. I don’t know that it would be a full time business anyway — I have a penchant for expensive “toys” and most things probably would end up as gifts. I know, cost per unit would be excessive, but then none of my friends have one yet…… ;) btw how big is a machine that would do 12x 24, how fast are they and what kind of price are we talking for the unit?
The filter unit I was talking about is a $2715 Computer Controlled Air Cleaner that consists of a prefilter to capture dust and large particles, a hepa filter to capture smoke, and a carbon filter to remove odor. It is “Recommended for installations where venting to the outside is not convenient or possible” I will check with the factory tomorrow to see what they say about using it inside of an apartment. I doubt if the laser unit and filter would be any louder than a Kirby vacuum, I know the laser isn’t very loud.
I have an Epilog Legend 24TT (45 watt) laser with their filtration system and use it in my home with no problems. What smell that does surface at times appears to be coming out of the top of the laser after the lasering process is over and prior to the exhaust fan stopping and I get in a hurry to open the lid. I am sure it would be much better to exhaust directly out of doors. Sounds ideal with the deck and placing the exhaust fan there. As far as noise, that should not be an issue. The most noise with my system comes from the air assist compressor supplying air to the point where the laser is “doing its thing”.