Help from someone with a 80w-100w chinese laser?

[Keith Winter]

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping one of you on here will be willing to help me out. When I try to cut and engrave on birch wood, my 130w chinese laser (EFR ZN-1650 tube) is blowing away the wood. It's very very dark...too dark, almost ashy even when I turn it down to 16% power (any lower and it doesn't seem to fire) 0.07 interval at 600 mm/s. If I speed it up to 800 mm/s the charring is fixed but then the quality suffers. Also it seems to have tiny lines in the engraving.

I've always read 80w-100w is best for engraving. Why I'm not 100% sure but I imagine it has to do with the too dark almost charring look I'm getting at 130w. What I'm wondering is if one of you guys with an 80w or 100w chinese laser would be willing to try 3-4 engraving tests on the same wood (I'll mail it to you) and then send me back the engraved sample so I can see if an 80w will give me a better looking engraving and avoid the really dark burned look, before I rush out and spend $$$ on a 80w reci tube and new lower power supply. I'll be happy to reimburse you for all time and costs, anyone willing to help out a fellow engraver?

[John Noell]

I think I am too far away to help but would if I could. I have found that even with 80 watts some woods (e.g., cheap bamboo) require me to dial it down as low as I can (about 12-14%). I think 130 Watts is just too hot for birch. I cannot go as fast as you do but at even at my top speed the engraving definitely suffers.

[Kev Williams]

If your "16%" is like most other Chinese 16%'s, it's likely closer to 22-25%, and of 130 watts is around 30 watts or so, at your LOWEST output where the tube will fire reliably. I assume this is one reason they say 80-100w is better for engraving, a lot of lasering is done at well below 30 watts...

I'm not familiar with birch, I really don't do much wood engraving, but I've had great luck with my 80w Triumph with the wood I HAVE done! And I'll be glad to run some tests!

[Jerome Stanek]

When I was looking for a laser they told me to stay below 100 Watts if you do a lot of engraving 60 is what they recommended. 130 watts is to much for wood as you can not get it to go low enough without charring

[Matt McCoy]

I can help Keith. Feel free to send a PM.

[Keith Winter]

Thanks guys!