Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter vs OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter

Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter
Score 61/100 · from $4,899 at Gweike
Gweike · $4,899
OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter
Score 60/100 · from $5,500 at OMTech (pre-order)
OMTech · $5,500Verdict
On our scores the Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter comes out ahead, 61 to 60. The Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter is a 1200 W fiber laser with a n/a work area; the OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter is a 1500 W fiber laser with n/a. The Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter costs about $600.99 less at list price.
The Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter is best for
Makers and small shops that want to start laser welding thin steel, stainless and aluminum and occasionally trim or rough-cut sheet up to 3 mm.The OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter is best for
Fabricators and repair shops that mostly weld thin to medium steel and stainless and want to trim, clean and rough-cut sheet with the same tool.Specs and scores side by side
| Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter | OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter | |
|---|---|---|
| Laser type | Fiber laser | Fiber laser |
| Form | Portable | Portable |
| Optical power | 1200 W | 1500 W |
| Work area | n/a | n/a |
| Max speed | Welding 200 to 300 cm/min (maker claim); handheld cutting speed not published | Not published for cutting (handheld, so set by the operator); OMTech claims welding up to 4 times faster than TIG |
| Air assist | Built in | Built in |
| Camera | No | No |
| Autofocus | No | No |
| Safety | Open Class 4 handheld beam (Gweike lists Class 4). The unit has an emergency stop and key switch, and Gweike's manual has you clamp a ground terminal to a conductive work table before welding or cutting. Gweike does not say whether eye protection is included; its M Series manual lists goggles and gloves among things the buyer prepares | Open Class 4 handheld beam. The gun only fires while the nozzle touches the workpiece grounded by the supplied clamp, and there is a key switch, an emergency stop and alarms for low voltage, temperature and short circuits. One pair of safety glasses, a welding helmet and gloves are included. The manual calls it a Class 1 system when used as instructed, which does not match an open handheld beam |
| Weight | 49.2 kg | not published |
| Price | $4,899 | $5,500 |
| Overall score | 61 | 60 |
| Power score | 91 | 93 |
| Speed score | 45 | 45 |
| Ease score | 62 | 58 |
| Safety score | 36 | 42 |
| Value score | 73 | 72 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter or the OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter?
On our scores the Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter comes out ahead, 61 to 60. The Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter is a 1200 W fiber laser with a n/a work area; the OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter is a 1500 W fiber laser with n/a. The Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter costs about $600.99 less at list price.
Which is cheaper, the Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter or the OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter?
At list price the Gweike M1200 3-in-1 Handheld Laser Welder and Cutter ($4,899) costs less than the OMTech FCM-15CW 1500W Handheld Laser Welder, Cleaner and Cutter ($5,500).
How we rank: by our own scores for power, speed, ease of use, safety and value, from the maker's published specs and independent tests where they exist. Some links earn us a commission (for example TwoTrees, SainSmart, Gweike and Amazon). That never changes a score or the order of a list (disclosure).