in the market for a laser engraver

[Don Baer]

I am trying to make up my mind as to which kind to get. I can get a 20 watt diode laser like this one..

Amazon.com: 20W LE-4040 RPO Engraving Machine + 40x40 Honeycomb Table

Shop FoxAlien at the Amazon Arts, Crafts & Sewing store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Save on everyday low prices.

www.amazon.com

or possibly a 40 watt CO2 laser like this one

Amazon.com: OMTech 40W CO2 Laser Engraver Cutter with 8 x 12in Work Area, Desktop K40 Laser Engraving Machine with Digital Control, Red Dot Pointer, Detachable Wheels, Compact for DIY Home Office(DF0812-40BG) : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Buy OMTech 40W CO2 Laser Engraver Cutter with 8 x 12in Work Area, Desktop K40 Laser Engraving Machine with Digital Control, Red Dot Pointer, Detachable Wheels, Compact for DIY Home Office(DF0812-40BG): Cutting Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

both are within my budget but the diode laser has a bugger build cutting area but the CO2 has more power and would be able to cut thicker stuff. I don't see my self cutting thick wood or metal but one never knows.... decisions decisions

 

[Brent Dowell]

Put me in the 'why not both camp', lol.

Love my little 40 watt, but also like the ability to engrave images on larger projects on the cnc.

The 40's are cheap enough (or used to be) that they are a lot of fun.

 

[Darren Wright]

Yeah, kind of in that same camp, each have their uses. I'd probably suggest upgrading the 40w to the coheasion board to be able to run gcode and the lightburn software. Those will add another $200.