I have a AltMill ordered with December delivery date. I’m interested in adding a laser. I’ve read the post on adding 20W or higher to Longmill and understand speed (feed rate) is a problem as laser power must be reduced. That post for LongMill included replies with recommendations for Neje E80 20W LED laser (~$450 Ebay), and LaserTree K30 (~$570 Amazon). Dana of Bucky’s Customs went from the LaserBeam to a JTech 24W for his LongMill and plans to move the JTech ($1350)n to his AltMill. I would like to hear what Laser those of you with AltMills all are using or planning to use on your AltMill (and especially from users if you would or would not recommend). The JTech 44 W is out now and is $1600 but I understand that engraving at higher power diode lasers may not be as sharp as lower power (For JTech, the 7 and 14 W excel at engraving while 24 and 44 at cutting Choosing the Best Laser Power for Cutting and Engraving | J Tech - J Tech Photonics, Inc.).
Just installed the Opt PLH3D-XT8 on my altmill. It is a beast of a laser. Not difficult to install at all. Works great with Vetric gender and Lightburn software.
Mod kit is on the site. Recommend if you go that route, get the quick release mount kit.
Seems pricey but it is a hoss…
I got the PLH3D-XT-50. Much lower power but a more detailed engraver. Engraving is quite a challenge with so many variables. Got to lock in the right height, interval, DPI, power, speed, material, air assist, air assist flow rate, source, wood prep (?Borax), algorithm…phew…