We recently purchased a Monport Onyx and had nothing but problems with it. The first unit arrived with transport damage, and the replacement device was even more severely damaged.
Now I’m looking for another CO₂ laser. I mainly want to engrave PVC signs.
Maybe someone here has a good recommendation for me.
I’m looking for a machine with around 50W of power, preferably with autofocus and a camera.
The price range should be around 2000€. Maybe there are also some Black Friday deals available right now.
As Tim already writes, you cannot run PVC sign production with a CO2 laser. Either you need to find a (knife) cutting machine or switch to another sign material.
The hydrochloric acid released by laser cutting PVC will eat your machine in no time, believe me, I have experience with it.
(another problem is of course your own health, hydrochloric acid fumes are not optimal here either )
Regarding the recommendation of a new CO2 laser machine, I have a 60Watt CO2 laser from OMT, it has been running for 4 years without any problems. It was purchased via Amazon from a European warehouse and the price was 2050 euros, price today 2250 Euros. I would go for the largest possible one you can afford and that fits through your door )
Acrylic stinks terribly during processing but does not develop hydrochloric acid.
IMO, the sweet spot seems to be 60 W, which costs enough more to justify wrapping a slightly better + larger machine around the tube. This may be due to the current USA-ian tariff nonsense and may not apply where you are.
As with @bernd.dk, I have an OMTech laser from Amazon. They replaced a failed power supply and defective key lock switch under warranty. The mirror + tube adjustment was badly wrong and required serious tinkering to set right.
Notwithstanding their promises of outstanding customer support, every brand apparently has both conspicuous failures and successes in warranty service. If you regard the machine as an assembled parts kit and understand that you are responsible for maintenance / diagnosis / repair, any of the not-bottom-dollar brands should meet your needs.
The warranty for a specific brand may depend on which seller you choose, as with this caution from OMTech:
This limited warranty does not apply to OMTech-branded products purchased from third-party websites such as Amazon or eBay.
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