OMTech 6L CW-5200 Water Chiller for Laser Engraver & Cutter, Industrial Water Chiller for CO2 Laser Engraving & Cutting Machine, 0.58hp 3.2 gpm Laser Chiller Water Cooling Machine for Laser Cutter

When I first bought my CO2 laser 11 years ago, it came with a CW-3000 cooler. No one suggested at that time that the CW-3000 was in any way notably lacking in its capacity to cool the water.In later years, I learned that the 3000 is just an ambient temperature cooler, meaning that it can never make the water cooler than the ambient room temperature.After 10 years of constant use, my 80W Reci laser finally died. (Which is a stunning life time, especially since I was running it off a CW3000).I bought a 100W Reci tube and when I did, the site very strongly insisted that I needed an actually chiller, like the 5200.At the time I was strapped for money, and I just kept using my old 3000 with the new laser tube.Well, summer has rolled around and it was simply too hot in my shop to run this tube anymore.I finally bit the bullet and bought this 5200. I didn’t want to cheap out and get some Chinese garbage because I’ve had bad results with the cheap Chinese hardware being INSANELY LOUD. So I went for a name brand for once.I didn’t even realize it at the time, but I got this when it was on sale, and got it for nearly $100 off. Super happy with that.Been running the machine all day since getting it set up, and holy crap, my laser is cutting better than it has in months.I didn’t really realize how much the temperature was impacting my cuts.This thing is so clean and sleek. I know the aesthetics aren’t really important, and I don’t generally like paying extra, when an equivalent machine for cheaper could probably do a comparable job, but this thing really is so much quieter than my old machine, and that was a CW3000 - which doesn’t even have a compressor in it. I can only imagine the noise if I’d gone cheap for this guy.No regrets. Should have done this ages ago.

I bought the coolant to use instead of water. No more laser burns! It keeps the coolant around 66°F to 72°F at all times, even when the laser has been running all day. Noise level is acceptable.👍👍👍👍👍

Chiller did not work when arrived. Seller worked through several steps to diagnose, asking questions I had answered with my original inquiry but it was thorough. Offered a return or partial refund if I was willing/able to fill with coolant but I took the refund as I had already purchased a second unit directly from them as the need for the chiller in working order was time sensitive. Second unit working well.

Initially when I received the chiller it would beep continually and not start. I troubleshot it and eventually contacted support. Through several back and forth they asked me to take the unit apart and check the components such as the pump. I took it apart and checked the components and connections. After messing around with them I got the unit working. Since then it works great. I use it on a K40 laser and even though it does not have a refrigerant, it cools the co2 tube just fine. I am overall happy with the unit after the initial frustration. The only other complaint is the water level indicator. It is an open-ended tube inside the case. If the unit is tilted water will spill out internally, and leak out of the bottom. It has not caused any issues after I got everything set up, but you need to be mindful when moving around with water in the tank.

Absolute gamble on these units. If it doesn't work you are laying for return shipping which in my case is more than half the cost of the machine. Does not say that anywhere on their listings or policies.

Does exactly what it’s supposed to which is keep my laser tube cooled.

Not a real chiller.

If you are in a warm climate you may as well give this a miss. It doesn't "Chill" the water it radiates the heat from the water. And if (like me) you are in a shop that's about 25 degrees, you'll be VERY lucky to get the water anywhere below that temp and if (like me) you have a CO2 laser this will cut back your lifespan of the laser as well as limit your ability to even make cuts in certain soft materials (other than say, cardboard) Perhaps if I was in the north or canada it would be fantastic (but only on cool days there too) I wound up rigging a small tabletop ice maker for less than half the money and got the temp down to 10c. If I hadn't trashed the box this would be going back.... as it is I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, it's a semi heavy paperweight for now.