LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

OK. Let's try this again for the 3rd time.

I am a wanna be laser jockey as I do not currently own a laser. I am looking to purchase a system that I can use for cutting and engraving leather, acrylic and wood and paper.

I was looking at a 150w system, but after watching so many videos, that may be way more than I need. As it is a strong laser, it may not really benefit me that way I want. Now I am rethinking about getting an 80w or 100w instead. It seems that it may be too powerful for what I plan to start with, and etching may not be one of it's strong suits.

I know I wish to have the following brands.

RECI CO2 laser tube
Ruida control panel
Exhaust system
Water cooler (CW5200)
Pass through doors.
a 6090 or maybe a 1290 working area
an electric table
both a volt and milliamp meter
110vac electrical system (or would a 220 system actually be better)
A blade table (Should I also get a honeycomb table)
I have Coreldraw
Have I forgotten anything?

I look forward to hearing from anyone who wishes to offer ideas.

Thank you

Welcome Bruce- you are ahead of the game by doing your research before buying. There is much to learn here and I am sure that investing a few hours reading will save you time and money. I can say that engraving/cutting leather is a real stinky business, a powerful extraction will be your friend and the most direct routing to an area that the smell will not bother anyone.
Your wish list seems thoughtful and I am onboard with all of it. 115v is handier but these machines are mostly 220v converted to 115v for the US market- with differing success. The power is a hard thing, I have only used a 130w 1300x900 machine in anger and it has done everything I have asked of it, and well. There exist machines with one high watt tube and one smaller [50-60w] tube for engraving if money is not an obstacle. That said, I have not found my tube limiting as far as engraving any of the hundreds of plastic and wood items I have done. I do not do cardstock except for templates and then I find PETG or styrene more readily to hand here .

Another consideration should be a trade off between a good local dealer and importing the machine yourself.

Bed size is really dependent upon what you plan [and plan ahead] to do with it- I have never used my passthru but am looking for a larger machine because of the work we do.

We [the membership] have experience with the good and bad [and ugly]- read, watch Russ' videos and ask questions. Gene

Hello back from SC, although we are at opposite ends of the state.

I was curious if you had made a decision on a laser yet? I am by no means an expert, but I have had mine for a little over a year and still learning myself, but willing to help if I can. I have an older Boss HP2436 that I purchased used, but in very good shape. I have had some issues, but each one has caused me to learn more about the machine and how it works.

I just wanted to say you may want to look in some of the laser groups on Facebook for used machines, or check online classifieds for used lasers. Sometimes you can locate a good deal!

Good luck!