I was wondering if the basic technology is all the same for all of these type of bench tools.  In other words, will all lasers cut styrene and gatorfoam, or only certain ones? 

The other question I have is what is the largest capacity "hobby" laser bench tool that is affordable which is available to us.  Is a 9-10" square the largest piece that can be cut.  I can think of some buildings I would like to build in HO scale out of one sheet of material that is larger than 10" for at least one dimension.  I would think anything is out there, but I am speaking in terms of affordability.  Will $2,000-$3000 purchase a laser that can cut Styrene and/or Gatorfoam and take a large piece of material?  

Ken L

ABS does not contain chlorine. What is dangerous about ABS is the off gases produced. As ABS melts, then boils, it produces hydrogen cyanide.

hi Ken

Most CO2 lasers work on the same principals

you need to decide on a bed size that you can live with

I would say 30 watts minimum as this will just go thru 3mm soft wood ply and MDF

There are probably a lot of cheaply made machines out there that do not get to the .001 mm accuracy of better machines

I paid AU$3200 ( US $ 2600 )for mine and have seen the exact same machine for sale at $9000.

mine is 60 watts and 700 x 500 bed

I have  cut 6 mm acrylic and 4 mm ply but it would not go thru 6 mm ply in one pass

i will find the e bay supplier name and post it tomorrow 

Anybody looking for a laser may want to read some of the threads on the CNC Zone. Some of those cheaper models aren't what they seem. I've read horror stories of broken parts when shipped, lasers crapping out after a couple of hours or never working at all once plugged in. On some you are locked into software they supply which may be buggy. Not saying you shouldn't buy, just be a smart shopper.

Here's the link directly to the CNC Zone laser forum: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/laser-engraving-and-cutting-machines/

YMMV!

Bernd

hi all

got mine from "startvipstore" on e bay Australia 

I've never tried acrylic materials. paper, yes. Basswood, yes. Taskboard, yes. Card stock and cardboard, yes. I can etch 1/16 birch plywood,but cutting it is a problem. Mostly I've used my F.S. 40 watt laser to cut base and ties for my N gage ties. (Thank you Michael Rose for the inspiration) I also cut card stock and construction paper for roofing tiles. I have built a 6 stall roundhouse in N scale. It's not perfect but what do you want from a novice's first try.  The hard part about using the laser is learning to use a cad program. "If you try it, You will learn" "Try, Try again" It's an uphill battle for this 70 year old teenager, But I'm getting there.

I saw the adds for the Micro-Mark laser. The first thing that struck me was that it required a 220VAC feed. That is a serious hurdle for many. (sorry Micro-Mark)

here is a photo of my laser station. I  do my drawings on my desktop computer and transfer them to my laptop at the laser station. I can also make modifications at the laptop if I need to.

As far as I can tell the micromark laser comes,with a transformer so you can plug it into 110.

But I have a question, you have a so called 40 watt F.S. Laser and you can't cut 1/16" ply?  Isn't that about what most laser cut kits,are built from? (Yes I know the have high end professional lasers).

-Doug Meyer

He can cut it, it just takes multiple passes to do so.  The glue that holds the layers together does not cut as easily as either wood or paper products.

I can cut up to 1/4" plywood on my FSL 40w in a single pass. You just have to slow it down.

You can control power AND speed. More Power & less speed means deeper cutting.

Ok, that is more in keeping with what I have heard.  From what I can tell FS is about the best balance of quality, power and price at this point.

I would love to have one and I plan to save up for one, so I was a bit concerned.

-Doug M