Originally Posted by
protomate
The best way to laser cut is using flowing gas not sealed tubes. Flowing gas is the way to go and ultimately cheapest.
And on what do you base this opinion? In this particular application, I see no benefit to a flowing gas tube other than reduction in price compared to a sealed US-made metal tube... but that price reduction can also be had with a sealed glass tube from China. With flowing lasers you have to get the mix right (if you're mixing it yourself), or you have to purchase pre-mixed gas tanks (not always in great supply, depending upon location). Then you have this big honkin' tank sitting on your floor. After all of that, just buy a cheap eBay tube and be done with it. A 40W sealed glass tube can be had on eBay for <$300.
Most sealed tubes on Ebay are china made systems. They are disposable. You cannot refill them when the gas is depleted. You may get 6 month's out of them even if you do not use them. A well made USA sealed tube has a projected life of 10,000 work hours, but a 20w will run you 4-5k. A refill runs about 3k.
Yes, they're disposable, but even if you get 6 months of working time out of it (somehave been running several years without a loss of power) you're still ahead of the mark. At those prices, no need to refill, just purchase another tube.
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