I used to have a 7w JTECH but I’d like to do some more cutting. I’m thinking of something with more power but want to make sure I don’t overkill. I cut mostly 1/4 basswood or plywood. I have a Shapeoko 3 XXL and a very tight budget. Thanks!!
I run a 10w optical output and it will cut 1/4 in 2 cuts at about 325mm/min 90%
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Maybe the 14W version would work with your controller…
Also they have the 24W or 44W, you can use the 7W for fine engrave and the 44W for cut and “rough” engrave.
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Question - How can a laser claim to be an 80-watt laser but only a 10-watt laser output? My limited brain power can’t make sense of this?
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80watt input power.
10watts of actual output power.
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It’s called marketing a.k.a. Lies.
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It is total marketing deception for sure but the 80 watts is input power, and that’s what they advertise when the output power is 10 watts. Grrrrrr.
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With this false marketing, how do we read between the lines to get the real information?
What is mW? (i.e. 10000 m/W) I assume this is milliwatt. What does this tell me?
Unfortunately some manufacturers market that way. You need to ignore that and look for the “Optical Power” or “Output Power” which should be listed somewhere. If it isn’t, move on.
1,000 mw = 1 watt, therefore 10,000 mw = 10 watts.
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But but but … 10,000 is so much bigger than 10!
Advertised maximum machine speeds have a … shall we say … more subtle honesty:
As the saying goes, if you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention. 
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