LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

Sorry if this has been answered before, but the search turned up nothing. This seems odd because it strikes me as something which would be a common question.

I am considering upgrading my laser head. So I go to the usual sources and I see C, E, K and G type heads. Are these to fit different power ranges or what? I can see at a glance that the K-type appear to be for the little desktop lasers, but the others all look similar on a catalog page and most dimensions look the same as well.

Anyways, it seems to me that there ought to be an easy-to-find help page describing the differences between the head types so a guy like me can read it to figure out what kind of head I might want to get. Matching the old one might be correct, but maybe not? I mean if I'm upgrading, how am I to know I might want a different type than what it came with? i.e. maybe I don't mind spending the money to upgrade the mirrors and lenses too if necessary and if it would aid in using the thing, I'd be up for that if I only knew what to consider.

So can someone describe the differences in laser head types or point to an existing page that has this description? I searched this too and came up empty.

Thanks for any help.

FYI - My machine is Chinese 80W with 700 x 500 bed, but not really looking for recommendations (though welcome) as much as the general knowledge. I mean I'll get whatever, but I'd really like to know why.

I wish I could explain this to you but it is not clear to me either. The K type I expect comes from the K40 machines built by a lot of Chicom companies. The larger size heads sometimes use a larger mirror to deal with the divergence of the larger machines [ and the substandard tubes being used] and some of the tubes are 24mm and some 25mm [as I recall, I am in the sunny Keys to avoid frostbite back home]. I now have a largish machine and it has a very large head that I have not seen before... If you figure anything out we can make a FAQ page for the info as it is a common question. Gene

I think the only way I'm gonna learn any answers is to contact Cloudray or something. I can't find much of anything.
I'm a machinist so I could just laser a whole nuther head bracket from acrylic maybe and turn some tubes & nozzles I guess, just to spite the suppliers regarding the lack of schooling for jugheads like me.

I can find some things I could get to upgrade, but every time I look closer at my cheap machine, I keep finding more things about the whole optical train that makes me want to replace the whole smash if I buy anything at all. I mean I could stand to upgrade all brackets, head and tubes really. Some supplier is missing out on a decent sale so far.

I'm certain that a phone call to somewhere is likely to provide answers. It's just that I'm just the type who would like to do my own learning and bother them for as short as possible. I kinda like the learning part somewhat.

Anyway, long story longer... not much luck yet for me.

I am interested in Russ' last iteration of a [non]head- just a mirror and the lens tube held in position. It speaks to me.