Welcome to the SeeMeCNC Community

I would be interested in cutting up to 1/4 inch mdf or ply; when not in use I want to be able to shark mount the "laser." I am not interested in using Sea Bass even if they are ill tempered. Anybody know of a good budget laser cutter.

1/4" MDF is going to require at least 45 watts, so that's going to kind of limit your shark hijinks.

g.

The 1/4 inch MDF is non-negotiable... any brands? About the shark,, that is part of the rulz for doing business here.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/VJisnJo.jpg[/img]

I've got an Epilog Mini-24 with a 45W laser in it - it's expensive, but it's worth every penny. (It's 12 years old and I've never had a single problem with it.)

g.

I use a Vytek 4896. It's a workhorse and will cut 3/4MDF with no troubles but probably out of the price range.

I''ve got an ATC 60W model, which they currently sell for 2700. It came with an air compressor, closed loop chiller, extractor fan, ducting, and some spare limit switches, as well as a dummy resistor for calibrating the ammeter, as well as the laser cut software. It's been working pretty well, although one thing to watch for is to set the Z probe out of the beam path. I've cut 1/4 marine grade birch plywood, melamine, and acyrlic, but not specifically MDF. engraves are pretty nice too, although due to the sensitivity of the laser tube, I caution strongly against shark mounting. It is far more prudent to use a platform with slightly higher standoff distances and payload capacities, such as the humble killer whale or giant squid.

You can find them here. I am not associated with them beyond being a customer. Boss Laser is another outfit I know of, and I've worked with a 220W and an 80 (now 100, as the tube was upgraded as part of them throwing parts at it to try to fix a flaw I eventually tracked down for them), and they work OK, but their raster engrave speed leaves a little something to be desired, and they don't have a Z-table, instead preferring to have the lenses move, which I'm less a fan of.