by 
While 3D printers have seemed to capture all of the attention for at-home creative machinery, I find myself at the point of thinking they’re cool, but not having a use for what they’d create. On the other hand, a laser engraver seems to open up a whole world of possibilities. One of the latest is the LaserTonor Pi 1, and it’s funding on Kickstarter for a few more days.
LaserTonor Pi 1: what it is
The LaserTonor Pi 1 is a laser engraver that can be used a multitude of ways: hand-held, on it’s included base (at a variety of angles), or even with rollers. And that’s two types of rollers. One that allows the device to roll along a larger piece, engraving bigger stuff, and another that allows you to engrave on round items, like a water bottle. In other words – whatever you want to put a mark on, this can likely handle it.
How you program it
Many engravers seem to be tied to your computer, and you can certainly use the LaserTonor Pi 1 in that way (it’s compatible, out of the box, with the popular Lightburn and Laser GRBL apps). However, the device also comes with an app that you can install on your phone (or, presumably, a tablet) to work on a touch screen interface to lay out what it is you’re doing.
The funding details
While I’ve not added a laser engraver to my workbench just yet, this one seems like it would fit the bill for a newbie trying to figure things out and start producing work. It’s currently fully funded, with the project wrapping up on November 30th. Earlybird pricing starts at $599, and there are a variety of add-ons, depending on what you’re trying to make. Check it all out over at lasertonor.com, or at kickstarter.com
LaserTonor Pi 1 Tech Specs
