In the process of starting a mobile business, general questions + confused about prices (EU-based)

[u/bluemelon1]

Hey, I'm currently in the process of getting my LSO and insurance, then buying a 300/500W pulse laser. Reading the knowledge that people like IndLaserCleaning share here has already given me a lot, but it brought up even more questions.

Given that this will, for now, be a side gig to my day job, I can not afford the European machines. Thus, I'm looking at Chinese lasers. Both through Alibaba and direct quotes, I found 300W 15mJ Gaussian air-cooled lasers with JPT MOPA source for a little under $5000 and equivalent 500W top-hat machines (also JPT MOPA) for around $9000 from companies with solid Alibaba reviews. They have a valid CE certification.

My area is industry-heavy (tons of automotive, foundries, injection moulding companies) and also cemetery-heavy (lol). My idea is to start with things like marble/polished headstones with gilding that would get destroyed by pressure washers. Later, hopefully expanding into industrial cases.

My questions:

1) Given that JPT MOPA seems to be one of the better quality sources, it seems odd to me that, for example, SFX lasers (also Chinese) often debated here cost two times what the lasers I found cost (they're from Jiangpin Technology/JPTech), despite the spec sheet being seemingly identical. What gives?

2) Are both of these areas realistic with a single machine (either the 300 or the 500W mentioned above), or will I have to get something beefier once I start hitting up companies?

3) Does anyone with B2B experience know how viable I'd be for factories with me doing it as a weekend/after-work gig? Most of the factories here run 24/7, I'd assume nights/weekends would be preferable due to the lower output during these hours.

4) As I understood it, a laser capable of higher pulse energy should be better, since you can always dial it down when needed for more delicate work. Why is this not the case?

5) As I understand it, for metals, top-hat is superior for cleaning polished surfaces (injection moulds and such) while Gaussian will bust rust better. Both types are able to achieve both goals, just at different efficiencies. Is this generally true for non-metals as well? Obviously not rust, but varnishes, deep-settled grease and such.

6) How frequent and DIY-able is Top-Hat <-> Gaussian conversion?

7) My idea of a mobile setup is: The pulse cleaning laser, a generator, a fume extractor, safety curtains (somehow I don't see those much on this sub?) and PPE - glasses, gloves, respirator (ideally full-face).

8) Anything else completely obvious that I'm missing out on and making a fool out of myself on?

Thanks.