Laserengraver - What laser do i need?

[MisterrDJ]

Hi,

I'm currently in the proces of building a laserengraver.
However i have no experience with lasers but my goal is to engrave different types of wood(just binary images).
I have some questions and i hope you guys can help me with that:
1. What wavelength is most suitable for engraving wood?
2. How much power do i need to engrave wood?
3. Which driver do you recommend?
4. Where can i buy the laser?(I live in the Netherlands)
5. Will a bluray diode do the job?

I'm on a budget and i have ~€100 to spend(less would be nice)

And yes i'm well aware of the safety risk. The laser will be fitted inside a box with safety switch so it can't turn on when the box is open. I'm also planning on buying safety glasses just to be sure.

I could really use your help finding a good laser. Thanks!

 

[jdawg]

Like you, I have never built a laser before, so I'm guessing building a custom laser engraver for your first build will be a bit complicated. As for your questions,

1. Lower wavelength will burn better. However, due to availability, your best shot will be a 445nm, or even infrared for greater power.

2. Define engrave. At ~2W you can start lighting the wooden part of matches on fire, so you can probably mark the wood as well.

3. No idea. If you buy an assembled handheld, you won't need to worry about it (I'm not sure if that'll work with an engraver)

4. There's plenty of sellers on here that ship internationally, just look the BST threads.

5. Depends on the diode, probably not.

Budget is a little small, but it might do.

Best of luck building it

 

[upaa27]

1. 445nm
2. NDB7875 at 3w for faster engraving
3. X-drive set at around 2.4a
4. DTR's laser shop
5. Yes but slower than the NDB7875

 

[DTR]

Check out this thread for tons of great info.:beer:
CNC Laser Engraving 8bit Shades of Grey 445nm