Hello to all! I am looking to get into doing some laser projects. I am just doing crafts and woodworking. I am trying to decide which way to go laser or CNC router. I am reaching out to you professionals to help guide me If you will. If I decide laser can anyone recommend a good one for a beginner. I don’t want to buy a hunk of junk but at the same time I am not looking to spend $5000 for a hobby. If there is a good laser for me what would be a good software to use with it? I really appreciate any help you pro’s can give me. Thanks for reading.
You can get small CNCs that you can also put a laser module on. 
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Hey Douglas
Thats a very broad question and Im no expert, but if I were you, I’d consider in detail things like:-
What do yoy want to do with the laser/CNC, this will tell you what kind you need to budget for.
What laser modules are required for chosen materials…wood, metal, stone etc
What size work…Keyrings, Coasters, bread boards, Wall pictures or Table tops…How fast or acurate do you want it done.
What thickness of material do you want to cut through and how much work will be engraving/marking.
What space do you need for the equipment and accessories, associated tools, materials…and Lighting, Venting, location to power & space available.
Are you starting something new or adding value to what you already do.
Figure out what you do and dont want to do…That should sort out the laser type and frame type & size.
I may be wrong but researching and buying at a comfortable price point with reasonable quality/reputation will get you underway faster and the rest is experience.
There are/can be, a lot of variables and unexpected’s in setting up equipment…but with lightburn software you have all the info resources, tools and help…all you need is patience and will to learn.
Let us know how your proceeding.
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Not sure? Get both.
CNC Router Machine 4040-XE with 20W Laser Bundle Kit | Laser Engraver – FoxAlien
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Interesting machine. Has a decent bed size and I have not seen many complaints about the company. Not if, but when it breaks, you will find out how valuable customer service is.
Now for my opinion… I have a Sainsmart 3018 Pro (extended to 3040), and decided swapping out the motor and laser when switching projects became a real pain. When I had laser issues with it, I bought a Sculpfun S30 laser and dedicated the CNC to strictly mill work.
You can get a decent laser and CNC together for about what that combo machine costs. Also understand that if the combo goes down, you won’t have any toys to play with.
I have to wonder how Lightburn’s cnc is going to set up it’s coordinate system.
Is there some set rule that cnc works in negitive space and lasers work in positive?
If not then switching between would basically be changing back and forth from laser mode.
I run openbuilds control and figuring out their system then going back to Lightburn gets confusing.
Wow thank you for all the replies. Thank you DOS & DSKALL I have been looking at the FoxAlien CNC machines and I am going with the 4040-XE machine with the laser bundle as suggested. Thanks to all the other replies also. Now is there any suggestions on what the easiest software to go along with that machine.
For the laser, Lightburn obviously. For the CNC, mine came with Candle. It is not a CAD program, but does a good job as a GCode sender. Google CAD CAM free software for some options. I have not used BobCAD-CAM but it looks interesting. Lightburn is also developing a product called MilMage that reportedly has a GUI similar to Lightburn.