2.5w - 15w diode laser cutter kits

G'day everyone. Newbie here, with a big question, and hopefully to contribute in the future.
So I've got a Chinese Cnc router (x61500gt) and works great. Does what it needs to with limitations. I've got a FLSUN Delta 3D printer. Same thing - works great for what I want it for though with limitations.

And now it's time for a laser cutter/engraver.

Purpose: engrave timber, cut thin timber (let's say 6mm max - pretty much things too small for the cnc router. And maybe cut Perspex.

So at first I was almost going to buy one of those $100 NEJE 1w laser etchers. But it's working area is 38x38mm. So while it would do what I want it for, I feel I may as well get something a bit bigger. So...here two examples of what I'm considering.
[m.gearbest.com]
[www.ebay.com.au]

Has anyone used a similar laser cutter? Can you give your experience? I have seen videos where the 5.5w laser cuts ply with multiple passes. So I assume it's possible. But I've heard these diodes are overclocked to get that rating of power therefore shortening its life considerably. Would the 10-15w diodes be the same story? And I noticed the smaller diode sizes state they have adjustable focus where as the 10-15w diodes don't. Does that mean I have to adjust the height of the working piece rather than turn a focal knob?
Not too keen on getting a co2 laser. I'd rather stick with a small diode setup.

But over to you. Experiences? Thoughts? Suggestions? Slander? Lol

Thankyou

... I'm cutting 4mm plywood with a 3,5W@445nm-diode in several passes ... for even thicker wood material you'll need a CO2-lasercutter.

And your links don't work for me - either 404 or not specified data format ...

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Oh. Sorry. Not sure why the links don't work. Just search for 5500mw laser cutter on AliExpress or eBay. And 15w laser cutter. So if your getting 4mm done with a 3.5w, I would think 5.5w would do 6 mm? Am I wrong? Does yours focus or not?

[m.banggood.com]

Also Thankyou VXD for helping me with my 3D printer last year. I sorta feel like a 5500mw laser should work, but I'm not sure about the claims of these lasers being overpowered and hence shortening their life.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/2017 05:02PM by Theman.

... I've tested the difference between 3,5W and 6,5W diodes - the 3,5W is much better suited for engraving and fine cuts -- the 6,5W has a smallest spot diameter of nearly double size, so lesser energy density, but can cut a bit faster for the wider cut ... but too with different cutting widths in X and Y - so you have to "defocus" it and make the bad/big spot diameter even bigger.
In my opinion it's not worth the higher price for the 6,5W diode

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Sorry where do I find 3.5w and 6.5w kits? I can only see 1w 2.5w 5.5w 10w 12w and 15w

... here the 6W diode - [www.lasertack.com]

and here the 3,5W-diode - [www.lasertack.com]

Can you link me to the 10-15W modules (and prices)?

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

... found the "15W-diode" -- it seems, this is simply an overdriven 6,5W-diode - they are specified for up to 7W continuous with pretty good cooling, so the specs of the "15W-diode" with 15W pulsed or 8W cotinuous will fit roughly

I'm driving my diodes with max. 90% of the stated max power to get better life-times ... but with "overdriving" them, they will give much more power, but will die off pretty fast too

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Ah I see. Yeah I'm not looking for a diode by itself. I really want a full kit. Ok so I should be looking at the continuous power rating then aim to use up to 90% of that power rating? What about having adjustable focus? Is this a neseccity? Or just a gimmick? I hope the dodgy Chinese software they provide allows me to adjust the power output.

... with the 445nm-diodes I'm adjusting the focus distance mostly between 15mm and 35mm to get best results - the shorter, the finer ... something around 0.07mm with the 2W-diodes and around 0.1mm with the 3,5W diodes -- with longer distances the focus will become distorted to a line or oval instead of a round spot ...

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

I killed my "M140" 2W LD yesterday and went shopping for a new one.
I followed VDX's link: [www.lasertack.com] and was surprised to see a Diode with housing for 339€

I already have this housing and I can get 4 different LDs with 3.5W - 4.3W from 50US$ -90US$. NUBM05-NUBM08
My LD driver supports Diodes up to 3W ( 3A max. ) and I killed my 2W LD with adjusting current to high.
Would it be better to use a 3.5W LD and run it at 3A max? My printer is to slow to use the extra 0.5W anyway.

There is also a 2W "M462" LD with a smaller dot than the legendary M140.
I'm tempted to use both: 2W for cutting and 3.5W for faster grayscale engraving ( bigger dot allows less pixel/mm )

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2017 04:04AM by o_lampe.

Hi Olaf,

as you already have the housing, you can buy a single 2W (or 3.5W) diode and replace it - [www.lasertack.com]

I'm buying them with housings for new to build customer modules ... but have severals housings too - so only sourcing the diodes for my own modules ...

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]