Plasma machine to laser?

[komatias]

Thanks komatias
I must admit I am with you on the one machine per task. But for a first foray into laser I would be prepared to compromise for a short time.
Thanks for the break down that is fab.
Your 50w machine. ...What is the max thickness mdf it will cut?
This could be the way to go.
Cheers
Danny

Danny,

MDF is a shit material to laser. There are specific ones that work better though but the fumes they give off a sickening. During cutting the glue that holds the particles together melts and runs leaving a very ugly finish on the side. That is why laserply is better in general.

My machine can cut through 6mm laserply at 5mm/s and 4mm at 10mm/s at 56% power.

When it comes to pine, you can really blast through it with very little power as it is a less dense material. Have done up to 12mm pine but you do lose the crisp edge due to the beam being out of focus through most of the thickness.