For small flat engraving, including single-line text engraving on pens, the table-top laser engravers will probably suffice. If you want to engrave large items, or cylindrical objects, you need a larger (and more expensive) machine.
These larger machines start around $7000 (with accessories) if you import one from China, or around $20,000 for one made in the USA. If you opt for the domestic machine, you will probably get an air-cooled laser tube with a much longer life. You'll also get service and parts availability. The imported laser engravers are much less expensive, but you'll get a water-cooled tube with a shorter life, and you take a much greater risk that something may break and you can't get it serviced. By the way, the smaller $2000-$3000 machines are imports and have a similar risk.
I chose to import a larger 60w machine because I wanted to make my own laser-cut pen segmentations. After I got it, I branched out into the trophy and custom engraving business, and I make more from that than from pens.
Regards,
Eric
