Laser engraver/cutter - experiences?

Do you have a laser engraver/cutter? I've been thinking about getting one and have been researching for some time. Mostly would use on wood, both cutting and engraving. The XTool D1 Pro 40w diode laser is at the top of my list. A Co2 is not in budget...

I'd like to hear about any experiences of thoughts you have.

 

Whoa, that one is not cheap. Looks nice though.

I have a TwoTrees TTS55 40w setup with the 600mm extended frame. Works for what I need it for.

For sure need to invest in an extractor of some sort.

 

I'm considering 2 places to put it; workroom in garage or 3 seasons room. Both have benches on an exterior wall. So, cut a hole, fan, vent tubing... pull smoke/fumes outside.

I have a number of projects in mind that I will use this for. The first is making several Go boards for Christmas presents. Go is an abstract strategy board game for two players in which the aim is to capture more territory than the opponent by fencing off empty space. The game was invented in China more than 2,500 years ago and is believed to be the oldest board game continuously played to the present day.

There are 2 forms, a flat board for tabletops, and a thick one meant to be set on the floor. I want to make a hybrid box that is approximately 3-4 inches thick. The top is a lid with a 19x19 grid of lines on one side and a 13x13 grid of lines on the other side. Inside the box is where the stones will be stored. The laser will be used to etch the grid lines, and to write out the rules on thin pieces of wood.

I'll make a few out of walnut and a couple from mahogany.

 

I can see why you'd want to use a laser for that.. But I think you need a cnc router more than a laser to do that.