I want to purchase a Chinese Laser engraver/cutter but can't figure out how much power I need. The projects of interest include RC boats, cars & planes made from hobby balsa, basswood and birch plywood up to about 1/4 inch thick. I see some posts that claim you can cut 1/4" wood with as little as 2 watts! Others say much more is needed. I suspect that cutting wood that thick with 2W would require multiple passes.
The real question I need answered is how much power does it take to cut 1/4" birch plywood or basswood in a single pass. That should tell me how much power I need.
Thanks!