What you describe sounds a lot like the 1000-2000 dollar Chinese laser engravers I see advertised on ebay.
I have bought things like UV LEDs direct from China and have had not problems.However I would be reluctant to purchase a rather complex piece of equipment without some kind of a more local business presence.
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Henry Liu <henryjliu@...> wrote:
>
> I'll post some information on my website when it's ready and notify the
> group.
>
> $2000 gets you a box that's like a plotter except it's a laser.
>
> The tube is around $300 and lasts about 1000-2000hrs. That thermark tape
> stuff doesn't seem cheap because it's $0.17/sq cm. But you can buy the
> brush on stuff that's $60 and covers 1000 sq/inches on ebay it seems.
>
> I'm really not trying to sell anything by posting my info. It's just
> information that you can go try it on whatever laser you have handy.
>
> I doubt it's cheaper than professionally made pcbs. The point is you can
> have it a few minutes later without much hassle.
>