Hi - I'm so new to this I haven't bought my laser yet!

[Trevor Allison]

Hi everybody. I just joined the forum and I'm eager to learn and contribute to the discussions. Right now though I won't be contributing too much as I don't yet have a laser!

I'm a mid 60's engineer. I trained as an EE, but added some Mech E and software knowledge along the way. Spent all of my career years in R&D in medical equipment companies. Started my own company a couple of years ago, bought a 3D printer and taught myself Fusion 360. Now I develop products for the competitive swimming and triathlon sectors.

I don't have an immediate need for a CO2 laser cutter, but the same was true when I bought my 3D printer. I just know I will have a great time learning laser-ology and after a while I will wonder how I lived without it. I am intrigued by the engineering parts that Russ makes and I see this as my most likely application.

[Pete Cyr]

Welcome Treavor. A Laser is like any tool - it has it use and does some things better than other tools. I use mine to cut lots of templates for use in wood working and do personaised engraving on wood products I build. In orderr to determine the type of laser and or size yo need to determine what you may want to cut or engrave....cut metal , wood, steel, fabric, rubber, acrylic - engrave metal, wood, steel, fabric, rubber, acrylic.

There are different types of lasers some can do most of the material I listed some can only do a few. But like any tool - some are more suted to a job than other. for instance if you are going to cut a tree down an axe will do the job and it is fairly inexpensive. But if you are going to cut LOTS of trees - a chain saw is a better choice.

So contemplate hobby use or business use, what you are going to cut or engrave and that will lead to a few select choices.