I hope I don't violate any rules here but I have some questions that maybe someone here can help with...
I'm a hobbyist and use my laser cutter/engraver to almost exclusively cut woods which are entirely fruit woods or exotics such as boxwood.
I have a 4OW laser/engraver, Micromark brand. It has an MYJG40W power supply with 220 Vac in and 30kV/20mA output. The tube is obviously not a "true" 40W as it's about 700mm long which I understand makes it a 32/35W tube. I've already upgraded the lens to an 18mm F50.8 (2") lens and this made the kerf go down to about 1/2 as wide as the "stock" lens. It's also cutting cleaner which by that, I get better cuts with less charring.
I'm giving thought to upgrading the tube soon as I'd like to cut wood in one pass that's thicker than 3/16" and up to 1/4". I've located a source of tubes over at Lightobject for "true" 40W at 850mm long which needs 20kV/15mA. It appears that the power supply should drive the tube. They do have a 45W tube at 1000mm which needs the same 20kV/15mA input.
I know that I'll need to put a tube extension on my case for either tube and tweak the tube mounts if I go for the 45W.
The question is will the 40W cut 1/4 hardwood? Or should I go for the 45W tube and if so, will the power supply handle it?
I know I'm probably out of my mind, but then again, I never could leave anything "stock".