[salewis]

I want to look at a sealed CO2 laser tube up close....

And from what I've been seeing on the forum, there are some that have had very bad experiences with sealed laser tubes.

Maybe they can be converted to flowing gas.... Just a thought.

[lamicron]

Stan, you are rigth, is not only the bad quality and the short life(1000 hours) of the chinesse sealed tubes but also the problems with oooops! (sorry, UPS)transport we have imported 3 times each o 2 tubes and only get 1 in good conditions.
The old style tubes can last you for life, you need to get a vaccum chamber and fix the needles tu the tube, thats the hard part, but it could be done.
Luis

[salewis]

I've never seen a sealed tube before, but I run a converted Med Laser as a cutting head which is a flowing gas design. This is until last week when it mysteriously wont fire at all.

Laser Mix gas is fairly easy to get (welder's supply store), vacuum pumps are plentiful (ebay and other sources), both systems use water as a coolant so no extra issues there....

Only issue is trying to figure out how to fit the sealed tube with gas inlet/outlet.

[cncadmin]

I have a 50watt tube that would be perfect for flowing gas, the tube is perfect, but the little glass around where the anode wire comes out it cracked, that is all that is wrong with it, if you want it you can have it for 150.00 plus shipping, I'm in the US.

[lamicron]

To fit the inlet/outlet pipes you should go to a glass specialist, that ones used to make blowing crystal, I found one in my country, soon i'll give a try and let you know
I think that cracked exterior tube is not a problem , the RF laser comes inside an aluminium case, am I wrong??
Luis