I will cut the 3mm acrylic and see what I get. Thats what I was looking for, something easy just to get a general idea of where I am at right now. With a new tube. Later I can compare and judge the power loss.

I think I can get replacement tubes for $175 plus shipping, that is just a quote and I have not actually tried to get the tubes at that price.

I can get a tube from the laser manufacturer for $250 plus shipping. That is really less than a new set of sublimation inks, I can just consider the tube an expendible item.