eBay Co2 Laser - 5 Years Later - Was it worth it?

I've had a 60-watt Co2 laser that I purchased from eBay for over 5 years. How has it held up over those five years and what are my thoughts now? I cover the issues I've had and the upgrades I've done to the machine. I also share my thoughts on if I think others should go this same route. If you have questions not covered in this video please drop a comment down below and I'll do my best to answer them all.
Follow me on Instagram for more behind the scenes content: / vintauri
www.vintauri.com

[@weathervanerc8147]

Great video Steve. Learned a few things.

[@Vintauri]

Thanks for checking it out! I always like to spread some knowledge when I can!

[@markzwolfer2220]

Thank you for the informative video , I have a similar laser and am planning to make several of the upgrades you have done

[@Vintauri]

I'm glad you found it helpful. It's a good machine but does take a little tweaking to get it running really well. I hope you find yours useful as well.

[@djmoosecom]

Great overview!

[@johnmay371]

Thank you for sharing great very in-depth.

[@jackwilborn2353]

Thanks for sharing how you handled the various issues with your machine. Have a 'China Blue' 50 watt (lol) since about mid June. It's basically the same animal, except mine is supposed to be a 2021 version... It does have an access panel on both sides of the machine. It allows much better access to the motor/M2 assembly. It's pump is upgraded to the aluminum block type, although the original mount for the plastic pump hasn't been removed yet, I found it a convenient place to mount my air assist control solenoids... It also came with a honeycomb bed. That got tossed for a sheet of rolled steel for $12. It just wipes off with alcohol or other solvent. Difficult to clean out the honeycomb and stinks all the time, not to mention they don't really work like you would think. Interesting to hear of someone using RV antifreeze in their machine without any issues. It's a common discussion about how to keep tubes from freezing. Automotive antifreeze is considered one of the worst in terms of lowing the dielectric of the coolant to what many consider below an allowable value. It's nice to know you've had no problems with 5 years on the machine. I solved that issue by only living where water doesn't turn hard naturally. Hence, I have a 5200 series chiller that works well in the SW desert. Your comments if it's worth it are right arm (on). I spent about $2K on mine, not counting the chiller, I have put about $500 in it. Changed out the head, drive system and removed a great amount of mass from the head. The controller is set for an acceleration is 50,000mm/s/s and max X speed is 1650mm/s. Might go faster, haven't pushed the acceleration any more than the 50K it's at now. To say I learned a lot is an understatement. I also have found that the air assist works well with a compressor, input of 30psi, 'status' sinks, and opens the air, which is reduced to 3 lbs. Anytime a job is running I get low pressure lens protection for engraving. I use the 'air assist' ('Wind') on the layer to bypass the restrictor and apply full pressure for cutting... Definitely worth the time and money. I have 1.5", 2", 4" lenses along with a compound for engraving... All are 'C' mount tubes. Keep the videos going (coming.) Thanks for your video... Take care :)

[@noblehd9621]

I'm looking to get one but I'm really scared as a newbie

[@theoliverblogs]

I don't speak english and i understein all that you say. Thank you soo much!, you talk soo well

[@Vintauri]

Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you found the video easy to understand!

[@warriorsheartstudio]

GREAT info! Thank you so much

[@Vintauri]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mikeprestigiacomo5420]

Thanks for sharing your information. I have the same unit and you are correct there is zero tech support from the Chinese manufacturer. I am in the process of upgrading mine to a 130 watt machine.

[@Vintauri]

Happy to share and it hopefully helps others. 130 Watts! That’ll be quite some cutting power!

[@gaiustacitus4242]

In my experience of running a manufacturing plant with 18 CNC machine tools and more than 20 manual ones, that business level support still leaves you with the need to carry out repairs. There is never a good time to wait days or weeks for the professional technician to arrive on site. The best thing a company can offer is stocking a reserve of spares for critical components. However, given that many such parts are currently on back order with well known manufacturers it is hit or miss as to the part(s) you need being in stock.

[@RJMachine62]

Thanks for the video. I have the 80watt from OMTech for 3 years now with zero issues. I guess I got lucky. Every thing was aligned and tuned pretty decent. I love the danger sticker, since I have 1 good eye and one bad eye, I find it pretty comical. Is that something you can share? If not it's cool but I'd like to run it thru the vinyl cutter and stick on my machine :)

[@Vintauri]

Thanks for checking it out. I think OMTech is a good company and I'm glad to hear your laser has been solid. They are on the top of my list if I ever upgrade. I'll see if I still have the laser warning label file. I cut it out on my vinyl cutter.

[@carboranadum]

Excellent video. Did you add the LIFT PLATFORM and LOWER PLATFORM switches on the side of the machine? If you did, can you share some info about how you did it?

[@Vintauri]

The lift and lower buttons came installed on the laser. Shortly after I purchased mine, it started being an upgrade option on most cheap lasers.

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Love the portable air setup, beats hard-piping and losing small shop flexibility.

[@can5projects563]

nice video. looking to get the same machine soon hello from australia

[@Vintauri]

I hope my information helps. I notice too many unboxing and reviews from users that just got the machine. I wanted to give my overview from having used it a number of years. Thanks for checking it out!

[@1620GarageAndFarm]

I know this is an older video.. But it looks like you are still active on youtube. I have the same laster I picked up used about 4 years ago. Its been fantasic. And I replaced along of the same parts you mentioned. your a review on this is spot on ... I do have a question, did you ever use the rotary tool plug in? I just picked one up. And its giving me a super hard time .. I think its a a controller setting. But I can't find it for the life of me. If you have and could share that info it would be fantastic. If not no worries, I will keep digging.

[@Vintauri]

I do have a chuck rotary for it and remember having some issues getting it dialed in. You have to dial in the steps per rotation and be sure to adjust the diameter settings for it. I was using it more in RD Works which was more difficult than Lightburn. I have not used it in a while that way. The Circle Pulse or Steps per rotation were around 1000 if I recall but that might be different for your controller. Once you get it functioning, get a scrap can or tumbler, wrap it in painters tape and do some tests with a 1" square, measure it and adjust that number bigger or smaller to get it dialed in.

[@1620GarageAndFarm]

@@Vintauri thanks for the reply. I spent 8 hours yesterday , and got it all sorted. I will be doing a video on it. I needed to pulling out the bed, and mounting it under the 4 corner bracts. This gave me almost 2 more inches of clearance. I’m running the newer cloudray rotary with the 4 wheels and the rubber band around the wheels for no slipping. But put out issue rather simple, someone before me had plugged the stepper motor plus port into the ruida controller. That should have been swapped with the Y access stepper control driver. I ordered up the relay to put this on a switch in the future.

[@Vintauri]

@@1620GarageAndFarm Glad you got it sorted out. It would be nice if we didn't have to swap the Y for the rotary on these machines but that is common.

[@tizianaberjaoui3274]

Thanks for a great video. I just purchased the same machine. Can i use INkscape or do I need to buy lightburn in order to run this machine, thank you

[@Vintauri]

You can export from inkscape to either RD Works which should have come with your laser or you can download, or you can use Lightburn.

[@johnwoo699]

the light at the rear is that 24v

[@jpotter2086]

And here i thought the clear cover extension was for visibility and looks :D

[@Vintauri]

Well it does do that as well! I had the acrylic on hand and was easy to get it done. Making it out of metal would have been rougher and taken longer.

[@jpotter2086]

@@Vintauri I'm really glad I saw yours, because the metal enclosure that came with mine is interfering with the rotation of the tube, and has always been an alignment issue. Now that I know an acrylic box can work back there, I know I can make my on custom piece, set my tube free. After I think though acrylic color and other design possibilities :D

[@WickedWaco]

Hi Vintauri. I really like your vids and creations. 🤗 You are the only one i could think of having nearly the same laser as me, i could ask for guidance/help.🤞😊 Sry if this isnt allowed but: I have a vevor 80w and been doing some ideas. But i cant find anything about what kind of oil i should use to lubricate the transmissions thingy (cant remember the name and im not right beside the laser - so cant check). But it says those things should be oiled once a week for maintenance. By the way i live in Denmark 🇩🇰, ive tried contacting the company - but no reply. So if you could point me in a direction of different stuff for lubricant. Maybe something in the car shops would work? 🤔 I would be so gratefull, if you would try to help me out🙏

[@Vintauri]

Thank you for watching. For the rails on this laser I use a light machine oil or 3 in 1 oil. It's similar to what you would use on a sewing machine. A little goes a long way so don't get to heavy with it.

[@WickedWaco]

@@Vintauri Thank you soo much. 🤩 Looking forward for your next vid. 😁

[@brunocampos8841]

Hi. Thanks for your videos. Can you please send me the original vendor settings file, for lightburn? Thanks a lot

[@chemeregrenaway8953]

Hey thanks for the video. I think I may've blew out my power supply. Do you know where I can purchase another? I have a co2 100watt laser 28x20 bed

[@Vintauri]

I would recommend looking at OmTech here in the US. omtechlaser.com/collections/parts/products/100w-laser-power-supply-lps-n100-us

[@chemeregrenaway8953]

@@Vintauri Hey thanks, yes I checked them out however my power supply is different from those. zim not sure if a different version would work.

[@acdii]

The difference between these Ebay Chasers (Chinese Lasers) is hobby vs professional. There are US companies that import these same lasers, gut them, and install higher quality components and up to code wiring and sell them at a much higher price, usually @ 4 times the cost of one of these. You MUST know what you are getting into when you buy one, or you will be disappointed, angry and go about ranting at what a piece of trash they are. I have the Yellow and Black model which is similar, but different in it's functions and layout, mine homes upper left instead of upper right, has a slightly different door layout, but overall is out of the same factory as the red and black models. Mine also has a bad switch, but the power switch on the side, not the emergency switch, which is what I use to shut it down with since the actual power switch is bad. Some day I plan to get a couple spools of the proper wire and some good switches and rewire it to code. Plan on spending money to upgrade when buying one, they work OK out of the crate, but with a little extra work and cash, can work a LOT better. I replaced the mirrors and lens and gained more cutting power with the stock 50W tube that is rated 60W at burn out power. I have no complaints with mine, just takes some patience and learning and with a few upgrades can be a really good tool in the shop. I really like the one I got, no complaints.

[@jand920]

Hi, can you point me to the hydroponic fan you are using? My fan is super noisy. Thanks, and great video.

[@Vintauri]

The exact fan I'm using is no longer available, however here is one with almost identical specs. amzn.to/3HazKyE

[@jand920]

@@Vintauri Thank you so much for the quick reply. I'll get it on order!

[@brendakemp3945]

May I ask where do you get your parts from. My platform won't go up and down. Working with it I believe it is the motor. if I help it by pulling on the belt it goes up and down but as soon as I let the belt go it stops and it only clicks. So I think it needs a new motor. But I having trouble locating a place to get parts. Can you help me? Please.

[@Vintauri]

I usually look at the parts for model or part numbers and do an online search. I've purchased parts from eBay, Amazon, McMaster Carr and others as I find the relevant parts. For more laser specific parts I've also used CloudRay and American photonics.

[@87laser]

Hi, I just bought a machine similar to yours last week, it has auto focus. I noticed that it did not cut 100% square, about 5mm off for 14"x12" cut, even at slow speed. How do I fix this? Thank you.

[@Vintauri]

When you say that it is 5mm off, is it' short of your measurement, or is one side shorter than the other? I would start by checking your belt tension and that there are no imperfections in the belts or pulleys. Make sure the set screws holding the pulleys on are tight and not slipping.

[@myrazorx7703]

Good Day everyone. I'm planning on engraving/etching aluminum tubing with this machine. I'm just worried as im not sure if this laser can have it power adjusted lower so I doesn't burn a hole through the tube.

[@Vintauri]

This machine won’t touch aluminum. It will etch through a powder coating or anodization but it will not cut the actual metal. However you can control the power down very easily.

[@joelplumber1896]

im in Northern Minnesota ,just bought a laser and curious about the RVantifreeze and how much ?

[@Vintauri]

I would go no more than 50:50 mixed with distilled water if being used in a shop that will stay above freezing. If you can’t keep your shop warm enough you might try straight RV antifreeze but that may also raise the conductivity of your coolant. My shop stays above 40 even on the coldest weeks so I’ve not had to test the coolant mixture in temps where it might freeze.

[@litris]

Hola ¿podrías decirme cuanto mide sin la parte de abajo el soporte tipo mesa?, solo la maquina. Quiero saber si entra en una vivienda por las puertas. Gracias.

[@Vintauri]

The main laser without the base measures 20.5" (52cm) tall, 45 3/4" (116cm) wide and 34" (86.5cm) deep. I hope this helps!

[@litris]

@@Vintauri Thanks!!!

[@zakazi1121]

Hi ! I have the rd sail x 700...unit works fine but no laser beam what would be the problem ?

[@Vintauri]

If your laser turns on and the control panel lights up and you can move the gantry around with the directional buttons then you need to look at the laser HV power supply or the tube being bad.

[@lettmons]

I want to replace that loud original fan too, could you point me in the right direction? I'm in Europe.

[@Vintauri]

You'll want to find a 6" exhaust fan with as high a CFM as possible. I'm using one similar to this. amzn.to/3KfKv3c

[@pavelm6677]

Hey I just got the same machine from some person and it has a melted e switch so I have to put the new one but I cannot figure out or find any info online how to wire it. Could you please share the source where I can find the guidance how to replace it

[@Vintauri]

Depending on how melted the existing plug is, you can hopefully read the type of plug it is on the back. Then search for a replacement. Mine requires a 2NC style and I was able to find it on Amazon. Then just swap the wires in as they are on the existing one. Here is the link to the one I used but be sure to try to find the style on the existing one you have. amzn.to/3sMkeEx

[@HenryKillian]

The tubes are different lengths?

[@Vintauri]

Yes the tubes can be different lengths when they are different power ratings but also if they are a wider diameter then they can be shorter and create the same power levels as a thinner but longer tube. It's good to check the measurements of your case and tube holders when ordering a replacement tube.

[@PilotGT]

have you successfully cut 1/2” plywood?

[@Vintauri]

I can with a longer focal lens and a couple passes. However at that depth I tend to use my CNC router unless it's super tight details.

[@cmills.]

I just bought a laser, I know nothing about it. Can you help me set it up. It's out in my garage.

[@Vintauri]

Well I hope my videos can give you some guidance to get started!

[@SirMrShanks]

Hi which laser did you buy?

[@Vintauri]

@@SirMrShanks The was a generic 60w Co2 laser from a seller on eBay that no longer exists. It was not a name-brand laser so I cannot point you to the same model. When purchasing a laser from a random importer on eBay you can get a good deal but you also have no guarantee that you will get any support or that the seller will even be around in 6 months. This video was to help show my experience and how it's been years later after the purchase.

[@SirMrShanks]

@@Vintauri Hi, my message was for the person who commented

[@Vintauri]

Ahh got it! 😀

[@cbernight]

take a very small drill bit and stop drill that crack in the corner if you don't want it to go any further

[@Vintauri]

Yes that is a good idea prevent any cracks like this from getting larger.

[@PassioneCarrozzeria]

hi, vevor web site for ship?

[@Vintauri]

I have not used Vevor for any of my purchases. I have heard some people talk about the site but I have no experience with it to give you my impressions. This laser was purchased from an eBay seller 6 years ago. Thanks for stopping by!

[@PassioneCarrozzeria]

@@Vintauri Thank you :)

[@lestontonstlz]

VEVOR is AVOID!!! I bought this 80w laser from Vevor, after 5 months (still in warranty), I had a problem and no follow-up... I contacted them several times, but They do not answer my emails.

[@8mmmauser896]

Did you wear glasses 5 yrs ago?

[@Vintauri]

I've worn glasses for many years.

[@8mmmauser896]

@@Vintauri just wanted to make laser didn't damage your eyes, also how do you know which ebay company to trust when looking for a laser

[@Vintauri]

@@8mmmauser896 I try to make sure I wear specific laser safety glasses whenever I use any of my Co2 or Diode lasers. Here is a set I recommend that works for most diose and smaller C02 lasers. amzn.to/3b7c2GD I have my annual eye exams and they have not noticed any issues other than typical aging. As for the eBay sellers, it's hit or miss. I'd strongly recommend you consider Omtech or Monoport for a similar laser and cost.

[@onestopfunstop317]

Why'd you pay so much for such a lower power laser? That thing is barely stronger than a $400 K40

[@Vintauri]

Because I needed more cutting area than the small K40. I looked at those at the time but the $400 units have a cheap controller that is annoying to use, have no air assist, no adjustable bed, and are very small. By the time you upgrade them to some of the basic features of this one, you’ve spent another $600+ on them.