[KBBEngraving]

Sorry, I'm not qualified to address which tube would be the best. My experience with lasers has been to watch a couple of them run.

But I do have a lot of machine building/rebuilding and CNC controls experience. Normally it is better and much cheaper to let someone else do the hard work of building the frame, installing the mechanical systems, and the controls. A used machine will get you all of that, even if a machine needs some work, money can be saved with some sweat equity.

If you have the experience and the equipment needed to build a machine from the ground up, then you should have no problem rebuilding a used machine. Like I said above, with a used machine somebody else has done the hard work for you, as well as supplying a lot of really expensive hardware.

Thanks again Jim--I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience! I will look into good pre-owned machines asap!