Like it says, I’d like to sell my Glowforge pro. I purchased this and almost immediately after found out I have cancer which has been using up pretty much all of my time and energy. It’s had maybe 15-20 hours of on time with way less than half of that being cutting time. There’s also a box of assorted proof grade materials. I’d like to get $2500.00 but, I’m open to discussions about the price point. It is like new as it’s been sitting on a table in a dedicated spot in my house. Located in Cold Spring, NY 10516 just north of NYC.
I see that you joined the forum in 2016. When did you receive this machine?
I joined this forum when I ordered so around the same time. The laptop I was using to connect to the mothership is currently dead but, I’m going to try running something to verify the laser’s health tomorrow.
Just so you are aware, the tube will expire whether used or not. Many of us got several years out of them, but they were only expected to last a couple. That severely limits the value of an older machine.
Yes I’m aware, thanks for bringing that up. I’m going to fire it up today and do a test or two. At least I can verify its current condition and ability. I’m not sure what the core or parts price is but, would welcome any relevant information about that as well.
That’s not technically correct. Dan mentioned they planned the average lifespan would be two or more years. (Of course they also planned to have it be user replaceable and then the infamous “we’ll replace it for under $500” as well.
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People should not think that their GF is likely to need replacement (since they don’t repair or refurb anymore either) every two years. The GF is not a $6000 consumable tool.
While it’s true that glass CO2 laser tubes will leak over time, it is not a 2 year process. Even cheap Chinese laser tubes don’t exhibit that level of porosity. Good quality tubes last a very long time on average (which includes all those that fail initial firing and never get to the consumer and all those that are used at over power levels which GF prevents).
With a GF, the evidence available to us is that something else is going to break before a tube wears out. The number of reported & confirmed tube failures here is extremely small - less than even the power supply. Telling people it was designed to last 2 years only disheartens buyers and disparages GF. They’ve got a lot of things they deserve opprobrium for but tube life is not one of them.
I don’t disagree with any of that. But if I was buying one that old, it would give me pause. That’s a lot of money to sink into something that might have a little life left in it.
Yeah, it’s just part of the GF death rattle. A commonly replaced and relatively inexpensive part in every other manufacturers’ machines requires a new machine from GF. It’s a known issue and never been addressed except through breaking all their promises about it. It’s indicative of a “run out” approach to the business. Simply continue to focus on the software side and hope they can ride the installed base for more years until the other offerings in the market make it too compelling and existing customers jump ship. At some point the folks left won’t be enough to support the business and someone will buy it for the customers they can upgrade to their machines (XTool?).
It’s not an uncommon trajectory in the tech world. It may not be quick but it will be terminal.
So….i managed to get it up and running after fighting with GF’s locked up cloud issue. Unfortunately for me the tube is definitely not 100%. Engraves and scores fairly well but, anything above 60% power has to be slowed down to work well, IE: deep scoring and cutting. Anyone hazard a guess as to what these part out or scrap for? I’d love to get something for it but, for the time being I guess I’ll squeeze the lemon until it yields no more juice.
As an original crowd funding owner, I’m kind of disappointed to find Dan never got his act together and is still a consistent deliverer of wishful thinking and outright falsehoods, especially with regards to spare parts and tube replacements.
