If you have any CNC machine, you do not need much for a home CNC laser. A laser diode, a collimator, a laser driver, PSU (power supply unit) and cooling. There are some types of power sources. TTL, PWM (digital) and analog. The TTL CCS can only switch on and off, the analog can regulate the diode, i.e. turn it down or up. Laser engraver head based on a blue laser diode provides a rectangular beam and need an optic correcting it. At the small distance, you have when engraving, that's probably less interesting. Cheap lasers do not have this correction and are less precise. Also, they have a shorter life.
It is definitely worth testing different materials to see which are better to cut by using several passes when you do not want to burn them instead of one transition. Especially when engraving wood it is a very wide subject. You can do it with a lot of power and quickly and with low power and slowly, with a smaller or bigger laser point you can get a lot of different effects and you have to test it. Also, it depends on the type of wood as wood is bright e.g. linden has nice shades of grey, but you have to adjust the laser power very well. Make light shades of grey thank various levels of power and different focus of the beam. The final effect is very nice.
The cutting itself is very easy. You have to have just a simple CNC laser machine and usually the software that this laser has in the set and of course G-code generator that will generate code from some drawings that we want to do. One could say that you need a program in which you will draw something, later a G-code generator that will generate a list of commands for the machine and a G-code interpreter that is in 90% delivered with the machine. It reads the commands and tells the machine engines how to move. And this is the whole set. If your CNC laser does not have any software you can buy one on the internet. There is no good free software available, so you have to spend some money on it.
The whole process is not so difficult. Of course you need a little bit of experience in handling of a computer and CAD or graphics software but generally, you can learn everything by practice. Trying out different settings, powers, materials takes time, but after a while, you will master the CNC laser machine using. You can use also videos on the internet for some clues. Buying a kit is better for less professional users (see our website) because you save precious time. More advanced ones create a laser cutter or engraver from other CNC machines.
For safety reasons, you have to wear safety goggles and a safety suit. Be always focused since you can burn yourself easily and ensure proper cooling for the set. If you remember all these steps the using of your CNC laser will be a pleasure for you.