But as @dan pointed out it’s a problem with a year’s runway to resolve.
Its not really a year to resolve. The design itself is what the issue is - It not resolvable without changing how things are designed to allow for serviceability. To me, it was a requirement that was not prioritized or even designed to make the tube a serviceable part.
No amount of time will change that - What it will do is give time to figure out how much will it cost to ship units back and forth.
Thanks Joe 
However, I manage most technical stuff myself after a little reading and a Youtube video or two, so I have no fear of replacing the tube myself.
By all means come over for Malta Lasercon 2018, which I may or may not organise!
Thanks for the update and all of the forum discussion. While the statement about the tube to not be user self-serviceable “tubectomy” I’m sure there will be a workable solution in the future either provided by Glowforge or the user community. There are so many options to handle this situation, I’m sure this can be solved. Sometimes we set our expectation on what we think is going to happen then when there is a change we are disappointed.
I was also concerned and disappointed when I first read the news about the tube not being owner self-serviceable. There are already several good suggestion on how this can be handled, which gives me confidence that in two plus years when I need to have the tube replaced there will be good options available.
I’m looking forward to seeing production units shipping in the near future.
@dan, There are loads of individuals on this forum and elsewhere that have done a simillar thing for other companies.
I myself have regularly provided PM and repair services to Torchmate, Messer, and Koike ATT plasma cutting tables and I’m a certified Lincoln Electric technician(all of these cost much more than a glowforge). All of my skills were learned by either certification or other classes and a strong tech suport.
Having regional support technicians is going to be the best way to solve this issue.
I don’t have anything new to add, but want to throw in another voice for the idea of having regional certified support technicians. I know it won’t solve the issue for everyone, but it would take care of a large number of owners.
I would gladly do a training session to support eastern Canada.
My 2cents
The people on the forum are a small majority. Gf has ambitions of large retail as well. For all we know when these become available at Michaels(our local craft chain) you do a swap out there much like you would get new gas for a soda stream at bed bath beyond. The two years is a soft number with a millage may varry
I feel the pain on all the export customers… and sadly don’t have any good suggestions there other than a waiver that would allow for self or certified installs.
I for one, would have absolutely no problem getting certified for tube replacements. Hell, it would just be one more of the trades I can attach to my utility belt and say I can officially do. I would be able to service the Minneapolis/St Paul (or greater Midwest Area if needed) area. This would, if nothing else, help strengthen the GF community by allowing me to MEET people I see online here all the time.
I too am upset by the tube replacement. I don’t like to have a machine that I bought for the sole purpose of having fun, but real justification of making the machine pay for itself, as well as many of my bills, non-functional without the ability to be serviced by me. I also understand there are heavy legal overlord restrictions, which makes sense in a situation like this. As always, I will be keeping my fingers crossed that it gets better, and also does not impact another delay. I should have this thing payed off next month, in which case, too many other negative impacts may force my hand to move to a competitor. I don’t want to do that, but I have also had my Pro money tied up for two years with no results in hand.
I think this is a great way to get to know new people/glowforgers. Let me invite you to Germany!
if you like mountains: you are warmly welcomed at my home too 
I’m sorry, spending up to five thousand dollars on a device and hoping I can fix it at a michael’s is insane.
Hi BDM,
We are completely with you on this point. This is not disappointment, this is UNACCEPTABLE.
Shipping to Europe one way costs me around $1000,- so back and forth around $2000,- plus the $500,- of the tube replacement, which takes them minutes not hours like Dan says.
Pfff, don’t even know what to say at this moment. Spending around $2500,- for a new tube and a serious amount of time we cannot use our machine is something a small business cannot overcome. It’s half of the price of a new Glowforge.
And just like you and probably many others on the forum, we can definitely do this ourselves, we are makers by heart, engineers and I think our business cards should even say “multi talented problem solvers” we can learn this in a heartbeat.
Maybe setup hubs in every country where tubes can be replaced if they want to really become a global company. Because I think if Glowforge doesn’t solve this, many if not all international buyers will cancel their order and they can forget about a global brand.
Wow…I need to come down after this news and rant, I’m sorry!
Will keep myself up to date with the forum but this “small” part of the March update will definitely keep people going quite some time.
Greetings from The Netherlands,
Elwin
@dan,
Thanks for the update but man, the u-turn on the shipment order and the tube thing hurts. I seem to recall that you had confirmed many times that shipping will be first-come-first serve basis. For folk who have been waiting 18 months for the product this kinda adds injury to insult.
To ship a Glowforge to my country (according to your rates) is $1684 currently… Are you saying to me that if the tube needs replacement, the following will be my bill?
My shipping to you: $1684
Tube cost: $500
You shipping back my Glowforge: $1684
Total: $3868
Plus import duty on the tube only hopefully(?)
That hurts a lot. We should we just take it on the chin I suppose.
Not only that but if the tube goes in the warrantee period Glowforge will have to foot that huge bill.
Does not make sense for us. Does not make sense for you.
Is your lawyer letting the dog wag the tale here perhaps? You should SOLVE the technical challenge surrounding the safe end-user tube replacement.
That’s my 2 cents…
Poor argument. My Jeep costs about $36K new. If it brakes I don’t have to send THE WHOLE THING back to the US. I get the tires locally. The wheels. A whole new engine if I want. Same with our HP server. Our air conditioning unit. I could go on.
There are at least two additional models that GF could explore.
There are countless other examples.
glowforge community is on fire.
so am i. from france, this update lights me about 'what could be done if there is a problem?'
My groupie state of mind has suddenly crash on earth and it hurts much more than previous delays issues.
I m quite sure that dan and gf team are at this moment in bigreunion to find how to solve this because, otherwhise, it could be an avalanche of cancels which could contain mine unfortunately.
maybe i m a dreamer but local authorized people or company which could provide technical repair and maybe sell proofgrade materials seems to me a better solution. but i don t know complexity to do that.
Today, my heart bleeds and my dreams vacillate. for the first time, i consider cancelling as a real option.
But I keep faith that ansolution can be found.
i don t want to be in dan’s shoes today. Hope to have better news soon.
Hi All,
My thoughts on the tube thing wander on…
If Glowforge doesn’t solve the issue of the tube replacement with a cost effective kit to their users, don’t we all think China is going to step in with an amazing kit available on Aliexpress.com…
It’s one way or the other Glowforge, seriously this news gave my day some dark dark clouds.
I can’t even read the other news in the update, which was very positive and constructive, wonder how this will evolve over the next days/weeks…
Keep hoping & dreaming Glowfolk!
Elwin
So just a clarification because of the tube replacement issues. The life of the tube is 2 years UNDER LIGHT USE and less if used more heavily. That’s a lot of down time every other year (or sooner) if you need to ship the unit in.
That’s a big deal…
I can understand the liability purposes of not having the customer trying to replace the tube. If something goes wrong replacing the tube and it ruins the machine you don’t want to be responsible. It is a bummer but it does make sense.
I also agree the tube replacement issue is huge. Having said that, is it not reasonable to think there will be replacement tutorials on YouTube, reddit, this forum etc. eventually. There are always people willing to try, myself included, who will gladly share their experiences. I’m sure there would also be a way to get an aftermarket tube (more power/cheaper?) after the warranty is done. My understanding is this has been a very modular design with different parts easily upgraded. I can’t imagine there won’t be easy fixes/swaps done by regular janes/joes in the not too distant future. I simply can’t believe this community won’t find a way around this if it isn’t solved by the company for whatever reason.
There’s no guarantee that we’ll be able to do this, or even fit a non-glowforge tube inside. I mean, I really hope so - but, no guarantee.