Need help buying a replacement laser tube.

[Fernando Cucci]

First, PSA: MIX YOUR WATER COOLANT 50/50 WITH ANTIFREEZE!

Second, I'm killing myself getting Pascal to do his job and invoice me a replacement tube for my SH-G350 (50w). The current pricing has each tube at $130 and shipping flat for any amount at $100 sea freight -- no customs.

I figured I would buy 2 tubes to offset the cost a bit. Anyone know what customs will cost? Or even how to do it?

Pascal said he'll be able to ship to Baltimore's port, wherever that is (I live in MD, thankfully). But I have no idea how to actually get the customs part done. they call? I pay? like a car impound lot, basically?

Before I pull the trigger on this mess, I'm asking if anyone has a better solution. Ebay is more expensive (?customs?) and Full Spectrum is outrageous.

I feel as though I should buy 3 tubes...

[Rodne Gold]

Rabbit laser sell tubes , $400 for a 60w or $300 for a 40watt..take your pick..if you go sea freight , expect a 6 week wait...and lots of paperwork..
By all accounts Rabbit is a decent co to deal with.
Just check your power supply can cope with a 60w tube , ask Rabbit..but im sure it can..most of the smaller machines from shenhui come with a 60w tube

[David Somers]

Fernando,

The Rabbit Dealer in the US is Ray Scott at Rabbitlaserusa.com
You might compare his price with the direct price from Rabbit China. Ray has the tubes in stock normally and can ship ASAP. But I would expect his to cost more since he has already done the shipping and importing things, plus he needs a profit too. Worth checking though for comparison. And at least he is a local supplier. Any of the local Chinese laser suppliers can likely help you as well. I mention Rabbit since Rodne mentioned them, and I was familiar with them.

Good luck! Let us know what you discover!

Dave

[Frank barry]

Hi as I understand it they don’t like to ship a tube on itsown as many get broken that is why they recommend getting a spare with themachine which is just a small extra cost I would buy from a local supplier evenif it cost a little more Good luck Frank

[Fernando Cucci]

Yeah, thanks everyone.

The 60w lasers are too long for the sh-g350. the 50w laser is 835mm, the 60 is 1000+.

I really don't buy the 'they don't like to ship because they get broken' arguement. its nonsense. A) There is enough foam to make it possible. figure it out. B) They ship the laser cutter with the TUBE INSTALLED!!!!. not on foam cores, not inside nests of nests of packaging, but installed inside a machine with rigid plastic clamps. So that's total bull, too.

Right now the price I'm looking to beat is $200/e. Otherwise I'm going through them. BTW, import duty is 4% for laser tubes in the US. $0 if the total shipped product is <$200.

[Rich Harman]

B) They ship the laser cutter with the TUBE INSTALLED!!!!. not on foam cores, not inside nests of nests of packaging, but installed inside a machine with rigid plastic clamps. So that's total bull, too.

Both lasers that I ordered had the tubes shipped wrapped in foam inside boxes, they were not installed.

[Dave Sheldrake]

Movement is what kills tubes in shipping, a rigid mount may sound like a daft idea but most times it's more secure and the tube can't bounce around :)

I'd go with Ray @ RabbitUSA Fernando, he's a top guy and likely the most helpful Chinese type dealer in the USA. Hell I even buy parts from him when my preferred UK dealer is out of stock and I'm in the UK thousands of miles from Ray.

cheers

Dave

[Bob A Miller]

I got my laser tubes shipped same way...inside boxes inside my Gwieke.

We have a fellow locally who got his Shenshui with a broken tube.. After 4 tries at replacement... All arrived broken, he gave up and bought one off eBay in California.... carefull it isn't all about saved money up front.

Bob

[Jerome Stanek]

Automation technologies have the 50 watt for $299

[Rich Harman]

Movement is what kills tubes in shipping, a rigid mount may sound like a daft idea but most times it's more secure and the tube can't bounce around :)


A tube shipped installed in a machine is likely better than a bare tube shipped in a box. But a tube shipped in a box - inside a machine is going to offer the greatest protection.

[Travis Wizniuk]

As to customs.. I'm guessing the USA is like Canada. Up here, you need a broker or you will get caught in a nightmare of paperwork and delays.. So I would add the cost of a broker to your total (about $60 - $80).

At that point, I would order from one of the dealers in the USA and get the tube in a reasonable amount of time.

[Zhiyue Sun]

@Fernando Cucci (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/member.php?103504-Fernando-Cucci)
we sent some stuff(two cartons) to China by sea by Canada Post two years ago, they took 30 days to arrive at China. However, some stuff was ****en.
I kept some laser tubes in Canadian Warehouse so that we can save shipping fee for our customers.
Be sure to wrape them by using lots of sponge, like Reci package. you can save some money if your laser tubes can safely arrive at your place. Good Luck.



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[Mark Sipes]

I have purchased several items from Canada and just have the items shipped WorldWide UPS.... They handle everything. I ship smaller items around the world and send them USPS...(They handle all the customs processingl)