A look at my new laser engraving machine and first engraved project.
I recently received a "Used - Like New" NEJE Master 2 Laser Engraver and Cutter machine as a birthday gift from my Dad. It came with a 20W blue diode laser. I unboxed the contents, assembled the machine, and completed my first engraving project on sugar cookies.
In case it's helpful, below are the topics I cover in this post:
Package Contents
My Dad informed me he bought this discounted "Used - Like New" machine through the Amazon Warehouse as an early birthday gift.
He knew I was interested in laser engraving machines because he's seen me watch YouTube review videos on the living room TV for years. Because we now live under the same room, it's easy for him to figure out what my interests are and how long they last.
The NEJE Master 2 blue diode laser engraver and cutter I received is considered a desktop machine. It has a 170mm X 170mm cutting surface area, or engraving size.
My machine included a 20W laser module, but you could also find it sold with a different wattage. In fact, laser modules are sold separately which would be great if I decided to move from my 20W to a 40W for example.
The shipping box had the "amazon warehousedeals INSPECTED" sticker. The outer box was in great shape.
There was another box inside that I believed was the original shipping box. This box was damaged. It looked like the original shipping box was dropped or something was dropped onto it.
Fortunately, the contents were secured within layers of thick Styrofoam.
With that said, the package contents in my box included:
User manual
Quality card
Laser goggles
Cables
Zip ties
Nuts
Screws
Steel brackets
Flat wrench
Hex wrench
Sample/test pieces
20W blue diode laser module
Power adapter
Machine frame (2 separate parts)
The sample/test pieces included:
Wood blocks
Dry/erase marker
Black anodized dog tag
Green acrylic tag
Wooden handle paintbrush
Cardstock paper
PLEASE NOTE: I don't know if the contents I received are the same for new product purchases or any purchases made outside of the United States. I've watched unboxing videos where some buyers received more or less of the items I received in my package. Usually, the contents differ with the sample/test pieces included.
Machine Assembly
I chose to assemble and use my machine in the garage. I knew from prior research that good ventilation is a must. Because my machine wasn't in a case with an exhaust, I placed it on a workbench next to the garage door.
The images printed in the user manual were helpful in assembling the machine. Full color versions of the same images are available on the NEJE Wiki Master 2 webpage.
I found the assembly process short and easy to do. The hardware and tools were provided in the package, so I didn't need to go through my toolbox once.
My video linked above doesn't show the assembly process properly because I messed up the order of a couple steps and didn't record enough angles. Unfortunately, I don't know how to properly write out the steps for you to understand them well enough to follow. I tried but deleted the text. My writing skills can use more improvement.
May I recommend the NEJE Wiki Master 2 webpage or Valera Perinski's NEJE Master S2: Unboxing and Assembly YouTube video (it's the video I watched when I assembled my machine) for better instructions on assembling your own machine.
Software Download and Use
I first plugged in the USB cable and power adapter to the back of the bottom frame and then into my laptop and wall outlet, respectively.
I placed an excess wood shelf under the machine to protect my workbench surface. I worried I'd accidentally burn through some items since I still had to learn what settings to use to engrave and cut various materials.
The "driver.exe" and the latest NEJE version of the software for Windows PC is available through the NEJE Wiki Master 2 webpage. There's also a driver and "controller" for Mac.
I scanned the QR code for downloading the NEJE Android App, but my phone presented a warning message. I thought I'd wait and research the app before attempting to use it on my android phone.
The NEJE Wiki Master 2 webpage also provides links for a few other software programs that I haven't downloaded or tried myself. I also learned from online sources that the popular LightBurn software will work with the NEJE Master 2 machine.
Since I'm a beginner, I decided to only use the NEJE software as I learn more about laser engraving and cutting. Because I didn't download the driver initially, starting the software prompted me to do so with a link. It was convenient because I didn't have to return to the NEJE Wiki website.
The NEJE software uses millimeters (mm) as its default measurement.
1st Engraving Attempt
I watched several food engravings videos long before I received my 20W NEJE Master 2 laser engraving and cutting machine. I thought my first engraving project should be on food.
I figured this would be my first and last time engraving on food. I worried about contamination of food products after I've used the machine to engrave and cut other materials like metal or wood. The last thing I'd want is to pick out metal or wood shavings from my teeth.
Originally, I intended to engrave six sugar cookies. Fate (and my stomach) had it so that I'd only get to engrave three sugar cookies.
I searched for an image available through the software's "Photo Gallery." I double-clicked the image I wanted to engrave and confirmed the selection.
After measuring the diameter of a sugar cookie, I inputted the size I wanted for the image in millimeters.
The software asked me to select one of two different engraved looks for the image. Each selection had a slider that allowed me to adjust the thickness and/or darkness of the overall engraved look. I opted for the single outline look as it was presented to me.
I selected the positioning button (rectangle with red dot corners icon) to determine where to place the sugar cookie. It "outlined" the image shape with a blue light (not the dangerous laser light) on a continuous loop. This allowed me to move the cookie until it appeared the image would be centered on it.
I then donned the fashionable laser goggles and turned the laser module tip to adjust the laser's focus. The smaller the laser point appears on the object to be engraved or cut, the more accurate the engraving or cutting would be. The laser goggles made it clearer to see the laser's point opposed to using the naked eye.
I left the default settings as is at 10 (mostly dark), medium sensitivity of tilt, and medium motor speed.
I left the laser power at its default 15% and burning time at 10mS.
I made sure the garage door was cracked opened for air ventilation and wore the laser goggles for eye protection.
I pressed the play button (triangle icon) to start the engraving. Unfortunately, the attempt was a failure. No hint of the image was engraved onto the cookie.
I removed and plugged in all cables in case they were loose during this first attempt. I also went ahead and adjusted the settings before trying this engraving again.
1st Successful Engraving Attempt
Below were the changes I made:
Laser brightness: 100 (max brightness)
Sensitivity of tilt detection: medium
Motor speed: slow
Laser power: 100%
Burn time: 10mS
The smell emitted during an engraving was strong! Ventilation is a necessity! Even though I setup my machine in the garage with the garage door opened minimizing the odor, the smell was still strong enough to trigger my migraine.
I knew from prior research that I shouldn't leave the machine unattended during an engraving or cutting project. I setup my action cam and monitored the project from my cell phone. I don't know if this was an alright thing to do, but I didn't want to risk developing a major migraine.
The engraving was a success! Yet, the cookie tasted nasty!
I thought adjusting the settings would allow me to engrave a sugar cookie that didn't taste bad.
2nd Engraving Attempt
Below were the changes I made:
Laser brightness: 85
Sensitivity of tilt detection: medium
Motor speed: fast
Laser power: 60%
Burn time: 10mS
Things seemed well at first, so I felt comfortable walking away with the action cam stream on my cell phone. However, when I got indoors and looked at my cell phone, I noticed the machine started moving.
I rushed out and cancelled the engraving before the machine fell off the wood shelf and workbench surface. The movement caused the laser to engrave off the sugar cookie and into the wood shelf. I was grateful I thought to add that under the machine.
I used double-sided tape to adhere the bottom frame to the wood shelf. I swore to myself I'd avoid setting the motor speed to the max unless research suggests that it's necessary.
I tasted the sugar cookie since there was some engraving over it. Unfortunately, it still tasted nasty!
3rd Engraving Attempt
Below were the changes I made:
Laser brightness: 30
Sensitivity of tilt detection: medium
Motor speed: medium
Laser power: 25%
Burn time: 10mS
This third attempt was mostly successful. Some parts of the image weren't engraved, but it was obvious what the image was supposed to be.
While the sugar cookie looked good, IT STILL TASTED NASTY! Does this mean all engraved foods taste nasty after the fact? I don't think I'm willing to try engraving other food items after engraving sugar cookies.
My Thoughts
I'm excited to finally have a laser engraving and cutting machine! My 20W NEJE Master 2 blue diode laser engraver and cutter work with materials my Cricut Maker cannot work with well or doesn't work with at all.
Prior online research proved helpful in making me feel comfortable using a machine that had less safety features than brands sold in a case. I knew what materials could and couldn't be used with a diode laser. For example, I won't be able to engrave or cut any resin pieces, polymer clay pieces, or vinyl because they contain PVC which emits harmful gasses into the air.
Ventilation is important! I've only engraved or cut approved materials with my machine the past three weeks, but everything, including the sugar cookies, emitted a foul odor. Just like pyrography or resin crafts, it's important to have good ventilation.
Laser goggles should be worn during an engraving or cutting project! Even the blue positioning light is bright. The last thing I want to do is ruin my eyesight and start wearing eyeglasses. Having the right laser goggles that match the type and wattage of the laser module is important. Not all goggles are created equal because there are different types of lasers that use more or less power.
DO NOT leave the machine running unattended! While I didn't encounter an issue engraving the sugar cookies, I did have one wooden attempt that caught on fire. Because the odors triggered my migraine, even with the garage door opened to allow in fresh air, I setup an action camera facing the machine and monitored an engraving or cutting progress on my cell phone. It allowed me to be indoors and keep a constant watch for any mishaps that may occur.
Assembly and setup were easy. The software for Windows PC was intuitive to use, although researching YouTube videos to learn about the full software features was necessary to identify all that I can do with it.
While I researched what settings others used to engrave food and sugar cookies, I learned that the settings that worked for them didn't work the same way for me. After using this machine for three weeks now, I think it's safe to say that it'll take trial-and-error to determine the best settings for my individual machine.
Also, laser engraved sugar cookies are nasty! I couldn't swallow any of the cookies. My Dad said the engraved sugar cookies tasted "like it's been coated in lighter fluid." I don't know how or why Dad would make that comparison unless he tasted lighter fluid during his time in the Air Force for whatever reason. I won't question him in case it triggers his PTSD.
While I believed the sugar cookies were inedible, I don't regret using them as test pieces. I learned a bit about adjusting the settings to achieve different results.
I even engraved more sugar cookies on other days to help myself become more familiar with adjusting the settings. Unfortunately, those sugar cookies were also nasty. Dad ate the engraved cookies in the end.
What's Next?
I've recorded several laser engravings which I'll share with you in the coming weeks. Be sure to check back later to see what I've posted to this website and/or uploaded to my YouTube channel.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam