Again I didn’t mean to insight a riot in here. The machine I was working on was not a modded x carve or shapeoko. It wasn’t an open design, it didn’t use the x carve modules for electronics, it didn’t use the wheel plates or gantry design. It had a z designed just for lasering. I only asked due to wanting to do a full write up so others could build something cool since they are big on that sort of thing but whatever. So yea.
Thread closed.
Hey @JoeBerman,
Please don’t let typical forum reactions to safety precautions deter you from following through with your original intent. If done properly, it will be a great source of info for those of us who also want to strap on a laser. Thanks in advance!
Strap a JTech to your X-Carve. Job done.
Having the Z-axis isn’t vital but can be helpful on thicker materials where you want some physical step down.
X-Carve is more than fast enough even during rapids. Way way fast enough while marking or cutting.
Sure you could build one from scratch that has lower moving mass and there are machines like the Emblaser that are just like it.
However, think of the JTech as a second spindle rather then a second machine. If you are brave use both in the same job. 
Cheers
Ian