I purchased a 60W omtech off ebay simply because it seemed like the most value/$ and I haven’t been disappointed. My plan was to purchase the basic machine since I couldn’t build that for less than I could buy it and then add the upgrades I needed when I needed them.
I didn’t get auto-focus and after using the machine for the last two years or so I don’t regret it. If I’m working with sheet stock I might have to turn the knob a few times to switch between different materials but it’s really no big deal. If I swap in the rotary then I just open the bottom door and use the belt to make larger adjustments.
I didn’t purchase a cooler. The unit came with a simple aquarium pump. I put that into a 5g bucket, added a thermometer, put some fittings in the lid, and sealed it up. When the first pump died I got another one and picked up a small radiator that was marketed for PC water cooling. Now I sit that radiator in a different bucket that I can refill with ice water as needed. It gets hot in the summer but I can easily keep the water temp in the 60s.
I took the money I didn’t spend on the cooler and used it on a nice compressor and Cloudray ultimate air assist kit. I’ve gotten a lot more value out of the compressor and air assist kit than I think I would have gotten out of the cooler. Air assist seems essential for switching between cutting and engraving and Lightburn makes it easy to setup a complete job. I can’t recommend the ultimate air assist enough.
Given the sort of jobs I run I usually have more issues with air supply than water cooling and even now I’d invest in a bigger tank before getting a cooler. However, if you go for the larger 80W or 100W that might change the equation. I couldn’t justify the 80/100W machines for the type of work I do.
Be prepared to replace most of the bolts and nuts in the shell of the machine. From the factory they are not made from a metal that can survive crossing the ocean and sitting in a warehouse.
Be prepared to replace a lot of the wiring, switches, etc. These were made by the same people that made the aforementioned bolts and nuts. Strangely, the wiring between the power supply, motor controllers, and motors has been fine. It’s just things on the AC side like the main power switch, the cable connectors to the wall, etc.
Throw away all of the tubing for the water cooling that comes with the machine. All of it. This stuff is made by people who couldn’t get hired by either the nuts and bolt company or the wiring and electronics suppliers.
I had to install an ammeter and I stay well within the recommended power settings for my tube. I think some of new machines come with this installed.
I also replaced my electrical interlock. I think mine came with a key but no emergency stop. I took out the key since there’s very little chance a rouge band of hooligans will take mine for a joy ride and put an emergency stop button in it’s place.
I also picked up a tp-link travel router that can be setup in wifi bridge mode and Lightburn can talk to the machine via wifi now.
Other than that I’ve had zero trouble with my controller. The gantry and primary mechanical parts for the laser have also worked great. I’ve got around 60 ‘laser on’ hours on my first tube so I’m not doing commercial work driving it 6-8 hours/day.
I’m sure there are people that would read that and consider it too much trouble. I’ve enjoyed tinkering with the machine and that’s been part of the fun.
The machine has actually exceeded my expectations based on some of the research I did before getting it.