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There is a lot of hype to having a Glowforge. Compared to more of an industrial laser, this one is really good for the more hobby crafter or small business owner since it is a fraction of the price. I have learned a lot about my Glowforge especially in the first year that I had it. Here are some things that I have had to learn along the way that I didn’t know before I made the big purchase. 

1. Getting the basic was perfect to start with

 When I was getting ready to purchase my Glowforge, I truly thought I needed the Pro. However, I’m really thankful that I purchased the basic. Anything I’ve needed to make bigger, I’ve been able to piece together. The basic really has been the perfect size for my business. For my production, it has helped expand my products, I was able to pay it off quickly, and the size limitations have not been an issue. 

2. Fires can happen

 I’m sure you’ve seen the horror posts about a Glowforge catching on fire. But let me clarify, I GUARANTEE that owner did something wrong. Glowforge recommends you don’t take your eyes off the machine while it’s cutting or engraving. I have 3 little ones and I regularly walk away (weather or not I should tell you that who knows). Here are some main reasons why you could have a fire. Not providing regular maintenance, not cleaning regularly, wrong settings, SVG file that has errors, material is not laser safe. This machine takes practice. Never assume your file or material is good to go. Always test new projects and make sure you are watching regularly for things that could go wrong. 

3. Maintenance is necessary

 I’m embarrassed to say that it took me almost a year before I did anything to clean my machine. It was so overwhelming to me that I just hoped everything would be good to go. Thankfully I haven’t had any issues with my machine, but I should have been maintaining and cleaning from the start. Yes the Glowforge is fragile, but as long as you are careful, cleaning the machine isn’t as scary as it seems. There are a lot of great tutorials on Youtube on how to do some basic maintenance to keep your machine running smoothly. 

4. It’s noisy 

 I knew going into running my Glowforge meant a noisy machine. However, I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal. After a few months of using my basic, the noise started to bother me. If I was in the room while it was running, I could tell that it was hurting my ears. Fortunately there is an easy solution if you are wanting to have a more quiet laser. I chose to purchase an inline fan and attach it through the exhaust. This fan is so much less noisy and I barely notice that it’s running. 

5. The referral program has paid off my Glowforge 

One thing that I really appreciate about Glowforge is their referral program. This program made my machine much more worth buying because I was able to receive enough referrals to pay it off. If you like to share or teach others about the work that you do, then you can get your referral code in the hands of many other crafters. I truly believe that there are enough people in this world that you have an audience even if it feels like there is a lot of competition. 

Even after learning about possible fires and maintenance, I still highly suggest that a Glowforge is a great machine. I use mine for kid projects, crafting, and my business. The list of materials that you can cut seems like it’s never ending and there are so many people who are willing to help. I have loved learning all the ways to use my machine! 

Interested in getting a Glowforge? If you use this link, you will get a discount and I will get a compensation at no cost to you. Also make sure to check out my blog on 10 Things You Should Know About Getting a Glowforge!