... and I'm not sure I'm coming back.
I started a laser engraver build because I had some extra parts laying around. The laser originally was kind of an uninteresting part, just a high tech saw really. Now it's the primary part of the project that I'm focusing one (see what I did there?). For the last week I've been spending the most time looking into and reading lasers. I think I'm turning into a laser guy.
I have a couple of questions I think I answered, but don't want to mess up or waste money.
First, a Themister. I guess I just thermal epoxy it to the back of the diode? Doing that makes the most sense to me, but I haven't seen it described anywhere.
Second, the NUBM44. I think I shouldn't have bought this diode for my needs. It just arrived today, and I don't even have a driver board for it yet, but I think I jumped the gun when I ordered it. More Watts = More Better, am I right?
After I delved into the subject a lot more, after I ordered from DTR - I know, wrong order, I see that it's practically impossible to focus it well enough for decent engraving. (I have DTRs G2 lens, and when I was buying some protective shielding from JTech, I picked up their lens as well).
I'm still waiting for parts, and at this stage in a project I get anxious and want to do something. Is it even worth trying with the diode I have or should I just order another type of diode and build a pointer or something with the NUBM44? Is the NUBM08 or even the NUBM06 a better choice?
My goal was some engraving, but more cutting of cardstock, thin wood (fine veneer work), and some plastics.
I don't wanna spend any more money, but while I'm working on this, I might as well do it now if I won't be happy with the results.
Lastly I got the BlackBuck 8a to drive the NUBM44. If I have to buy another diode, can anyone recommend a good one (4 or 4.5a - depending on the above question) that is a little larger in physical size? I can solder but sometimes I don't need something that small.
Thank you, now back to reading the forums!
I started a laser engraver build because I had some extra parts laying around. The laser originally was kind of an uninteresting part, just a high tech saw really. Now it's the primary part of the project that I'm focusing one (see what I did there?). For the last week I've been spending the most time looking into and reading lasers. I think I'm turning into a laser guy.
I have a couple of questions I think I answered, but don't want to mess up or waste money.
First, a Themister. I guess I just thermal epoxy it to the back of the diode? Doing that makes the most sense to me, but I haven't seen it described anywhere.
Second, the NUBM44. I think I shouldn't have bought this diode for my needs. It just arrived today, and I don't even have a driver board for it yet, but I think I jumped the gun when I ordered it. More Watts = More Better, am I right?

After I delved into the subject a lot more, after I ordered from DTR - I know, wrong order, I see that it's practically impossible to focus it well enough for decent engraving. (I have DTRs G2 lens, and when I was buying some protective shielding from JTech, I picked up their lens as well).
I'm still waiting for parts, and at this stage in a project I get anxious and want to do something. Is it even worth trying with the diode I have or should I just order another type of diode and build a pointer or something with the NUBM44? Is the NUBM08 or even the NUBM06 a better choice?
My goal was some engraving, but more cutting of cardstock, thin wood (fine veneer work), and some plastics.
I don't wanna spend any more money, but while I'm working on this, I might as well do it now if I won't be happy with the results.
Lastly I got the BlackBuck 8a to drive the NUBM44. If I have to buy another diode, can anyone recommend a good one (4 or 4.5a - depending on the above question) that is a little larger in physical size? I can solder but sometimes I don't need something that small.
Thank you, now back to reading the forums!