So I have a 700 watt fiber laser cutter that uses an IPG laser source. I would love to own a laser welder but because I dont anticipate needing it that often I can justify the high price.
I was thinking that since the laser source is probably the most expensive component on a fiber laser welder and I already have one on my fiber laser cutter, is there a cheaper alternative I can setup that would allow me to operate a hand held laser welder utilizing the existing 700 watt fiber source on my cutter? I'm thinking since the fiber source easily connects and disconnects from cutting head, is there not a way I could disconnect the cutting head and plug laser somehow into a welding head , perform some welds and then just plug back into cutting head? Unless the actual laser source is completely different I would be surprised if none hasn't tried something like this.