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FrozenGate by Avery

What can I cut with a 2W 808nm Laser?






Without goggles and proper safety shielding, it will readily cut your retinas. (not joking, get some safety gear!).

To actually answer you, not much. You might be able to cut very thin plastic if you get the optics right and find a plastic that absorbs it well. 15W isn't enough to really cut much, even when focused well.
 
Sigurthr said:
Without goggles and proper safety shielding, it will readily cut your retinas. (not joking, get some safety gear!).

To actually answer you, not much. You might be able to cut very thin plastic if you get the optics right and find a plastic that absorbs it well. 15W isn't enough to really cut much, even when focused well.
Click to expand...

Definitely planning to get goggles, safety is a must.

So if i really want to have any kin of cutting power should I be going for a higher or lower wavelength? Or just getting a CO2 Laser?

Thank you both so much for all the help by the way
 
If you want to do actual cutting go for a 40W or higher CO2 laser system. It is a LOT easier to shield against, which really improves safety, cheaper to implement in the long run, robust, and powerful. You're not going to get much done with visible or NIR wavelengths.
 
Depends on what you are planning to cut. Certain wavelengths excel at different materials. 532 works great on copper for example and 10.6 um from a CO2 works well on steel. No one wavelength is good at one thing. Only thing I've used 808nm for is inducing 'lasing' from another medium like a Nd:YAG.
 
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I've engraved with 808nm a few times but only on cardboard .

DVD drive laser CNC - YouTube .

1.45W 532nm I have cuts thin colours card with no issues , But for the best cut as others have said co2 lasers are the best , I picked up a 15W co2 laser and PSU for 220USD .
 
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