To Tommy,
1. If you want, the focal head can literally held in hand, but when you are working, you move the work piece, not the laser head, because the work piece is smaller , easy to control. Actually, it is not as that hot you thought, sometime the laser got to hands, but won’t hurt me if I move it immediately. The laser pulse, controlled by a foot pedal, if you keep stamp on the pedal , it will comes continuous.
2. The beam is visible light.
3. I can wear goggles if I want to , there is a microscope in the machine, no matter you use goggles or not , you need to look through the microscope to do the work., because the beam is very thin.
4. You need to adjust the beam first , the material of work piece will help you decide how strong the beam should be. ,
5. Argon is still used as protective gas if you ask..
best regards
o'neill