Realizing that my dreams of cutting through 1/2" plywood with a diode laser are not realistic, I’m looking for advice on lasers. I don’t really understand what the real world capability differences are between a 2.4w laser and a 5w laser and a 8w laser, for instance. But, there’s usually a large price difference. The 3.5w at Banggood is $70 while the 5w is almost twice the cost at $130. But I don’t know what additional capabilities I’d be getting with the 5w over the 3.5w.
I have no interest in cutting balsa or foam or cardboard with it. So any cutting will be done with the spindle. But, I would like to engrave. Text, raster images, etc. I don’t have any specific projects in mind, but I am a tinkerer and want to tinker with one.
If I’m not cutting, is the wattage increase worth the price increase? Where would the sweet spot be in capability and value? Can I engrave on acrylic, glass, metals?
I actually read that last night and it did help a lot. And I’ve researched “specs” and read the marketing, and then I read forum posts or other reviews that completely contradict the marketing. And sometimes even the marketing doesn’t seem to indicate any difference.
For instance, the L-Cheapo lasers are available at Account Suspended. Both the 10w and the 5w are described as “It can cut 3/16” wood and plastic, and engrave most nonmetallic materials." So what’s the difference other than price?
At J Tech Photonics, both the 2w and 7w kits say:
Engraveon wood, leather, acrylics, and many other materials!
Cutthin and non dense woods like Balsa, Basswood, and thin plywood!
Cutmany types other materials like foam and acrylics!
So what makes the 7w cost $400 more than the $2w? What is the real world differences in capabilities? Does it just come down to speed and number of passes? Because I'm just fine slowing down and taking more passes to save $400.
I understand installation, safety, gcode, and all of that. I just don’t feel like I understand the real functional differences between different power ratings. What can I do with a 7w that I can’t do with a 5w? And what can I do with a 5w that I can’t do with a 2w? Etc.
No lie all I can seem to find is spot size. So bigger spot, higher power=same capabilities. No you know why I took almost 4 years to write that. It is a lot of phooey out there.
My “40W” co2 barely cut 1/4" MDF, unreliably. So my faith in diodes above 2W is slim to none.
Don’t feel bad. I’ve been just as confused. I’m about to just break down ad buy the 3.5w version just so I have something to play with. Then after I get my hands dirty, I’ll decide where I want to go from there.
What I really wish I could do is mount the dewalt and the laser at the same time. Switching tools out on the MPCNC is a bit of a PITA sometimes.
Whenever I get a real shop, I’m thinking I’ll just end up with two MPCNC machines
