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TomTop
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Tomtop [tomtop.com] has the ATOMSTACK A5 20W Laser Engraver for $149.99. Free US shipping.
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Tomtop [tomtop.com] has the ATOMSTACK A5 20W Laser Engraver for $149.99. Free US shipping.
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the 20watt is how much the whole machine consumes. already deceptive so i will pass
This is a 4.5W laser (at most), running at 455nm wavelength. It also has a somewhat large dot size, which means it isn't as effectively powerful as a more tightly focused laser.
So if you just want to burn the surface of some wood, such as photo "etching" where it's more just specifically coloring the surface of the wood through how much power it uses or a dither pattern, you'll take awhile on a 4.5w laser but do ok (if your expectations are appropriate). This laser has a spot size of 0.3x0.5mm, which is both awkwardly rectangular and actually fairly large compared to many of the LD+FAC lasers, so that's going to affect output quality/detail.
If you expect to do deep etching… it's possible but remember it's "etching" by burning in a small dot. Without an air assist I wouldn't even bother, personally, but it certainly can be done if the depth is conservative. Even with one, while you'll get engraved depth (up to a point) it's going to take a long time for anything substantial and it's a burnt in engraving, so it will have a related appearance.
Cutting very thin wood is technically possible on a 4.5w laser (think ~3mm plywood/balsa, thicker like 5-6mm with multiple passes) but it's going to be very slow. You absolutely will need an air assist for cutting to be clean and not take forever.
You won't cut clear acrylic with one of these, you need a CO2 laser for that. You can cut *thin* plexiglass if it's black or another color that absorbs this wavelength.
Most plastics cutting are going to be thin, need to be able to absorb the UV wavelength this uses, and are probably going to need an air assist to be happy with the results. With anything plastic, triple check whether it's something you should even be cutting at all on a laser, and even then make sure you have the ventilation to handle the fumes.
You might be able to do metal marking, in the form of using a marking paint/spray (which is different from metal engraving). My 10w lasers can mark nicely with Brilliance laser ink spray. I imagine a 4.5w should be able to, just slower. The dot size/shape on this, again, may be problematic.
You can also mark anodized aluminum (it strips off the anodization where the beam hits).
You definitely won't be doing any *actual* metal engraving with this.
Keep in mind that these open frame lasers are inherently unsafe in multiple ways. If you do get one, please laser safely. Don't laser anything without checking that it's a safe material, even with good ventilation. Do get real laser safety glasses that cover the correct wavelength at OD6/OD6+, don't rely on the cheapy things tossed in for free. Don't run it somewhere that someone can just walk in and get eye exposure. Etc (including fire safety of course).
Depending on what you're expecting, you might be happier just getting one of the small CNC routers, like a 3018/etc. These diode lasers can be great (especially getting into the double diode LC-FD lasers) if you understand their limitations and your expectations match, but otherwise they can be disappointing.
Particularly with the dot size and shape on this one, I'd check reviews that include samples of real output similar to any planned use you'd have for it.
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