I know you guys kind of hate this question, but looking for input on which laser engraver/cutter.

I've seen the standard answer is to find your niche, and buy a laser that will support what you're trying to do...but reality is I don't know what that is yet, and probably won't until I get started. I've done some woodworking in the past, and I'm looking for something to augment that...way of getting back into it and expanding what I've done in the past.

I posted yesterday about a laser that wound up being a k40 (it sold before I could get to it today). I really like the idea of that laser, short of the small workspace (8x13). I mean, if I wanted to do something like a cutting board or something like that, I couldn't get it in there.

I also realized that I can buy this laser new for about $400. And I also know from the input I got on that post, that it may take a couple hundred dollars more to get it to where it needs to be (new tube, new controller, etc).

So I'm looking for input on what is out there, that would do with the k40 would do, but has a larger workspace. On that note, is there a way to open up the cabinet and feed longer pieces into the workspace of a k40 laser?

If I was to get a k40 laser, knowing that I'm going to upgrade it, is there a certain brand unit that I should be looking at? Is there one I should avoid? Or just pick up the $400 one?

Looking at tubes, I see there are tubes that are 40 w, 45 w, 50 w, etc. can I stick a 45 w in a k40? 50 w? Etc...

Knowing that I can get a k40 for about $400, and then it will take a couple hundred dollars to get it to where it needs to be, is there one that I should be looking at that falls in the ballpark of what I would invest in the k40 to get it to where I need it to be?

Thanks in advance for your input.