Start A Laser Business NOT On Etsy! Think Services!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 พ.ค. 2024
- Start A Laser Engraver Business NOT On Etsy! Think Services!
Some people think when making a side hustle with a laser engraver means you only make a product and sell it somewhere like Etsy. And that’s fine but you’re missing a great opportunity to treat your laser engraver as a service. Let's explore some options with this!
👉xTool S1 10-40w Diode Laser
US Store: shorturl.at/hwxE6
EU Store: shorturl.at/joGU3
Fran Store: shorturl.at/apqtw
UK Store: uk.xtool.com/products/xtool-s...
DE Store: de.xtool.com/products/xtool-s...
CA Store: xtool.pxf.io/DKGWo2
👉xTool P2 C02 Laser
US Store: www.xtool.com/products/xtool-...
EU Store: www.xtool.eu/products/xtool-p...
Fran Store: fr.xtool.com/products/xtool-p...
UK Store: uk.xtool.com/products/xtool-p...
DE Store: de.xtool.com/products/xtool-p...
CA Store: xtool.pxf.io/6e6P7q
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Years ago I bought a diode laser, they were just the laser head at that point, not a full machine, I mounted it on my CNC and got it working. I built an enclosure with just a small plexiglass window in the front. I kept the window pointed away from the garage door and a blanket over it most of the time. I then told the family if you see an orange road cone at the garage door, do not go in there. I had my safety glasses and would watch it from time to time. I say all this to say, be creative, and play it safe. If you don't have an enclosure, build one. You can use a clear window on the front to view and also include a way to cover that window. And find a way to notify the family when it's in use to prevent them from going in there. It doesn't have to be elaborate, and it can still work. Of course, if you can afford the plexiglass that is tinted to prevent the laser escaping for your enclosure, do that. But whatever you do, don't skimp on safety of your family members. Vision is a very important sense we use everyday. It's priceless!
Yep safety is paramount!
Glad I found your channel. I just subscribed.
I am wanting to get a Lazer unit.
I'm going to watch your videos for tips & advice.
Thank you.
Awesome! Thank you! Im sure you will have a lot of fun with it!
Excellent video. Helpful, honest, clear. THANK YOU for such helpful information!!
Glad it was helpful!
Videos are great Justin! Keep it up.
Glad you like them!
Thank you for this video. I am just starting out and this was very helpful.
You are so welcome!
Looking forward to getting a laser in the future. Thanks for sharing. I agree they should all be enclosed. A few years ago I was going to get the ortur and actually ordered and within an hour cancelled the order. Thanks again love the content.
Thanks! Yea they really are way more useful than I had thought before getting them. Going to a birthday party today and just engraved on all the cookies my wife made, always gets a big reaction lol
Hi Justin, great information and tips thanks for sharing! Take care, Wayne
Thanks Wayne!
Just wanted to say thank you for this video I’ve been eyeing a new s1 for a while now and was waiting to save a bit more and had no idea they were doing a trade in program 🤯, thanks to the credit and the overall sale i was able to not only order the new unit but expand to the all-in-one setup. Wouldn’t have know if not for this video, subscribed for future content 🙌 thank you
Oh sweet! Well that made the blurb all worth it then! Have fun with it!
New to your channel! Loved your presentation style. Great work!!
Thanks! Much appreciated!
New to your channel. Great information. Your presentation style is like having a friend come over and chat. Like it a lot!
Look forward to going through the rest of your videos.
Wow thanks very much!
Agree 👍
Great video as always Justin I totally agree with you that a laser should be in an enclosure for the safety of yourself and other people, and especially children. Thanks for sharing your business ideas with us
Thanks Jim!
Great Video, thanks for all the tips!!!
Glad it was helpful!
This is literally the first video I've watched on TH-cam at normal speed in years. I'm starting a new laser cutting business and I took note of all your tips and advice. Exceptional content, may God bless your channel and your business. A big hug from Brazil.
Oh awesome! Thank you very much! If your starting up a new business I would also recommend watching my how to start a woodworking business video, it it very different from this one but completely applies over to laser engraving business. Good luck on your new venture! ✌️🇧🇷
Just discovered this. Researching laser printers. Really great information. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
New to your channel, im glad i found you, im subscribed
Thanks! Hope I can keep giving you good content!
Fantastic video! I do understand the safety issues with open machines. My xtool d1 pro is a great starter machine at a low cost and i built my enclosure which is far safer and more useful than most of the low cost enclosed machines. It cost me about 150$ including the inline vent, laser rated acryllic window, and galvinized sheet metal base for fire resistance
That’s great! Yeah I had done the same that’s why there’s that wooden lid with orange plexi above my S1. It was originally my viewing window for my 40 W open gantry Laser I had. If I was a betting man, I would expect xtooll to put out. A modified version of the D1 within an enclosure at some point soon. They just introduced the 10 W S1 at 899.
Great video. Thanks so much.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this. I didn't really want to do a shop for laser services because I'm still working a full time job and wanted to be able to take on projects when I can instead of trying to fulfill too many orders. Also I just don't really want to deal with Etsy. I had thought about building a small list of local businesses and wasn't sure if I needed a specific product I should market to them. But you're right, I just want to be a service for them so I think I'll just make a few examples of stuff to give them an idea of what I can do. I also like exploring people's ideas, I find it fun because sometimes people have some really interesting projects.
Exactly, the customers going to dictate the thing they want to you, you don’t need to worry about coming up with that “thing” that your going to sell on mass. Good luck with it!
Great advise. Thanks
You bet!
Great great video. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
❤ I enjoyed your video thanks
Oh that’s great to hear 👍
Great informative video. The algorithm bought me here and i quickly subscribed. We use diode lasers to create larger less complicated cuts so whilst id prefer to get an enclosed system, until there is some software that can break down an image into smaller pieces that we can then slot together we are pretty stuck with our homebrew extended footprint. Unless of course you or anyone knows of something that can help. Please keep the great content coming.
Oh awesome! What size do you need to be able to engrave / cut? Right now I’m running 4ft boards through my enclosed p2 (19in wide) for a parade float. (Bileve other than larger industrial machines 19 in wide with infinite width is the largest size
@@BitnerBuilt Ahh 19" seems quite a good size for our needs. We started doing the layered city maps years ago before there was a race to the bottom on Etsy price wise so now do more bespoke options. The biggest issue I have had doing multiple layers in larger pieces of wood is making sure they are all referenced properly so that they all match up correctly when put together. Its much easier to have a large frame so I don't have to slide a board through helf way through a cut.
This is why I went with the XTool S1. I have a small child and god forbid she got hurt I’d never forgive myself. It’s fantastic. Cuts great. Eventually I’ll get the C02 but not until I have paid this one off and built my business
Nice yea I love mine as well, great machine!
NOT on Etsy 💝🙌 THANK YOU I am here 😊
👏👏👏
Great video!
Thanks!
this guy can sell me anything , honestly ! great video thank you !
😂😂 thanks - hopefully sold you on making more money in different areas 😆
@@BitnerBuilt def ! Your approach is nice and totally agree on the etsy comment.
Great video. I like the giant french cleat power tool holder in the background of your laser. Is there a build video on it?
Thanks! yes there is Modular Drill Storage & Charging Station - FREE FILES! - Small Shop Series
th-cam.com/video/Dj1Mhb71Ygo/w-d-xo.html
@@BitnerBuilt Thanks!
Always appreciate your videos and learn a great deal. Old hands on wood butcher here , still on the fence about a laser! Stay safe
Thanks very much! I didn’t know how much I would like it or utilize it until I got one. We were going to a birthday party today so I even threw in some of my wife’s cookies she had made and engraved the birthday girls name on them in just five minutes for the whole tray, went over big when we got there that we brought customized stuff for them. I really like that it’s fast to accomplish a lot of stuff so it’s not a huge ordeal to throw some things in there and get it done when I want some thing. Prob the most attractive part of it
Great ideas!!
Glad you like them!
Well-presented video. Your multi-media background shows. Excellent information. Thank you. We're looking at getting a laser engraver. The last thing I want to do is spend money to get lost in the sea of Etsy. So the service aspect and the business services are quite appealing. I'm retired, but it was a well-planned retirement in terms of a nest egg. LOL. The ability to make a little money locally to pay for the machine and have some fun, and maybe make a little extra, is appealing. A refreshing change from all the "I made mega-bucks with my XXXX and you can too!" videos.
Thanks! Yea this is a machine you can invest in to have fun and make some good money with it, especially if you think “openly” about a bunch of different aspects you can follow rather than just this one thing I’m going to make. Hell I made a full parade float last week using the xTool p2, I fed 4ft boards through it cutting out logos and dragons etc (it’s for my kids Kung fu school when we do the chineese new year parade in nyc) added colored backers and then poured in resin to make it look glassy, you never know what type of business will come your way once people know you have a machine that can do things they want!
I’ll give you another idea. I recently had to have work done on my AC, being outside in the weather, the model had worn off. If I hadn’t saved the invoice from when it was bought we would have been up the creek. The installer could not only put his info on there , but the information too.
Ah good idea, yea there’s alll sorts of good stuff a contractor could add on so it also doesn’t seem like just a “here’s my info”
Loved your first option of providing service. What crm system would you recommend to keep track of service orders received.
Oh boy so many options. 99% of CRM is built for larger organizations that are going to be paying for it, it’s a big money game (coming from someone who has had to deploy software for my company with 35 locations and the employees to go with it) if your a small operation / yourself. I would say go with something like Airtable free. It’s a web based database with crm capabilities. I personally like solutions like this because I can custom make everything the way that I want to and not have to work in the way that the software programmer set everything up in a lot of the other CRM solutions. And since it’s web-based, you can collaborate with another business that you’re working with. They can add in the new client, deposition it as a new job, attach artwork and any files put in a job, start date and due date and then you’re getting all of that live at your location. It is a little bit more work than a premade solution, but it would only take an afternoon to really get everything set up the way you’d want it.
lots of good information.
Glad you think so!
So glad I came across this video! I enjoyed all the info & your style is fun too.
I’m proactively seeking new business as you recommended here. A question hit me when thinking of offering laser capabilities as a service…
Do you have any software/programs you’d recommend to keep track of my customers & the projects I do for them?
I’ve used various programs for my freelance work to make estimates, invoices, etc. But they’re a bit cumbersome to track a lot of small projects from various clients.
Any advice or recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated!
Be well & thanks again for making this video. I liked & subscribed😆
Thanks so much! So there are a million CRM options out there. I like custom making my own stuff in airtable (free for 5 users) but if you wanted a more already put together solution that would be easier for the average user, I have seen Monday.com quite a bit (also free for 2 users)
Thanks for the info. I really have no interest in the Etsy treadmill. Though I think you have to hustle more for service work, I think it would be worth it. I spent 38 years in a factory setting and have no desire to return to cranking out the same thing week after week.
I’m totally there with you, more interesting to do lots of varied projects to keep it interesting even if that might be a batch job it not the same batch job every day forever
These are all really great ideas. Excellent video, you clearly have lots of experience. However, I’m wary of what working with a laser engraver all day is like.
Thanks so much! Well, you definitely gonna need to stop and clean at some point if you’re talking all day these machines get quite dirty as you use them and even with good Erik extraction, it’s going to get a little smoky if you’re using it all day otherwise not a big deal doing a full day at work with these machines
Thanks!
Wow David! Thanks so much! Really appreciate it!
Id love to know from your perspectives having the more hobbiest versions of laser engravers, 3d printers and a cnc what do you feel is the best bang for your buck to start producing items/services for the shop or as a fledgling small buisness? Also as far as the general learning curve that a new user would have to figure out for each. There are so many differnt types of machines now in that space that it can seem a bit overwhelming if you're new to it. I'm really enjoying these buisness focused videos so i know id love to see some sort overview video for the three types of machines maybe touching on the general upfront costs from the machines themselves to materials and longterm maintenence costs a newcomer may be unaware of.
Thanks that’s a great idea for a video I will add it to my to do list! Hmm so first I’ll say my order of purchase was cnc, laser, 3d. They all actually work well as compliments to each other, all using a similar structure (gantry moving tool to add or remove) they serve different purposes though. What you’re interested in creating really would be the most important question to ask. Cnc is great for large format, cutting out full woodworking pieces, cabinet doors etc. lasers (desktop lasers) are faster but smaller format, can’t cut as thick of material but excellent for making templates, layered goods, engraving (cnc can’t do) and working with a wider range of materials than cnc. 3d printing is more for parts, solutions, some cool toys and decorations, and is very different than the other two. Of course this is a very short descriptive list of what they can do but looking at what you want to have done what you want to make is really the determiner. You can make a business off of any of them, but your interests will drive you to be more successful, so go with the thing that you are most interested in and you’ll find a way to make it profitable.
Thank you..!
You're welcome!
The argos just sent me to your channel for the first time, you explain things verry well about the equipment and i am going to buy a x tool next week have been looking for the right engraver and allong with this channel decided im going to buy a x tool. "Question" I will be doing allot with glass wine bottles and glass cups,wine glasses,mugs. Can the f1 engrave the whole length about of a wine bottle with the Rotery attachment or should i go ahead and buy the sl with the rotery att.
PS I subscribed to you channel and will be buying it from your link . I looks like x tool is a good platform for beginners like my self. Thanks
Apart from the affiliate thing, I honestly like the xtool machines far and above the other consumer stuff. (xtool currently doesn't make any of the crazy big laser systems) I personally have the S1 and P2 as my personal machines. And yes they are great for beginners as the hardware and software is bundled so it easily works! I haven't actually tried the f1 yet (I will soon) They are very different in that the f1 is a galvo laser. What that means is it has a rapid moving mirror that directs the laser without having the laser head move, (makes it incredibly fast in comparison). So big plus there. BUT Even with the attachments you can get for it I think you will be hard pressed for doing a full wine bottle and larger tumbler engraves. The f1 in my view is a great portable laser, being able to engrave on something that's already in place, or take to events to sell custom engraved item to customers. Since you're saying you're looking to do mostly bottles, glasses, mugs, I would do a full machine WITH A RISER BASE to fit those larger objects. That way you can have an effective easy setup that's going to accomplish the job without having to move the items mid engrave etc. My p2 is what I use for glass and acrylics as it's a c02 laser and that's what its really go at but I understand that might be too pricey. The s1 is a fantastic machine just know as a diode you will need to use a marking agent on the glass first before you engrave so it takes, you can then remove it after.
What are your thoughts on xtool and the lack of full support with Lightburn? This is really putting me off from choosing xtool vs some of the other options ie: Thunder. Thank you for your thoughts in this video, I found it very helpful.
So I’m a big fan of lightburn I’ve used it with the stacks of other lasers that I’ve tested. I have connected my S1 to Lightburn, but the software that they provide with it has honestly been really great and I haven’t felt the urge or need in a process that I personally use to need to switch over. In lb it doesn’t support 100% of the features particularly there’s some newer stuff that xtool has like the curved surface burn that is not functional in light burn yet but again my honest opinion is I’ve found myself not using light burn just because of the ease of using the xTool software.
Watching the "you should only buy a laser you can afford" part while assembling my new xtool P2 without having any sales yet. uhm yep, you´re right, but its so fancy i couldn´t resist :D
lol well as a p2 owner as well I can’t blame you 😂
😂😂😂 Exactly the same... But it's a great machine! I'm obsessed with it.
I have a special fire extinguisher that won’t harm the laser if I need to use it, but that kit you have sounds super cool. Is that something that would work with other lasers as well, like Epilog?
They sell a version of it that can be used with most lasers but there must be an enclosure of some sort. When the c02 releases it starves the fire of oxygen in a confined space putting it out. If it’s an open laser it won’t work. It also adds fire detection sensors and a WiFi plug so it kills the power to stop the laser when it detects fire and then extinguishes it. It’s a nice piece of kit. Here’s a link www.xtool.com/products/fire-safety-set?ref=5nhxhssx&
Hey its funny you say that about xtool d1 cause I was looking for replacement xtool d1 10 watt laser module and now that makes sense that there fazing them out due to safety
Yea honestly when I started with lasers I figured wear your glasses or make an enclosure but once I started using units with built in enclosures it became apparent there was a big difference.
Nice video
Thanks!
Do you have a video on how to create foam inserts . I’d love to do that fir myself and never thought about it
I included it in a recent laser video but not “how” to do it. I will add it to my to do list!
Custom foam inserts. Were did you get the foam and what type. I want to do one of my own toolboxes before i branch out my services.
Kaizen foam is what I usually use. I actually have a big pile from items shipped to me, if there’s a decently large piece I keep it for later use (3d printers and laser printers usually come packed in it) the main this is it’s just glued layers of foam so once you cut it you can pull out some of the layers of the middle but not all
on Amazon here’s one plain type FastCap Kaizen Foam Sheet for Tool Box Organizers and Storage - Perfect for Professional Contractors and Technicians - 30mm Thickness, 2' x 4' Sheet Size, Black. And here is a colored type, black on the outside and colored inside. ECONO FOAM ™ Black 24" x 48" Layered Foam for Kaizen Projects (Black/Red)
@@BitnerBuilt Thank you for the feedback and amazon info. Very helpful..
New to your channel...I need to know where to get an apron like yours?
Here’s a link to mine. I actually did a review of six different aprons on the channel. I would say mine is second best but the best one made a squeak noise in my microphone, so I personally couldn’t use it amzn.to/3Lmdy6U
Great video, good advice actually. It a clickbait video! Earned yourself a new subscriber!
Thanks! Sometimes the easy common sense stuff is the thing that gets overlooked
If anyone is looking for a big CO2 laser. I recommend Thunder. It's a great option to a high end laser at a reasonable price compared to the big names like Trotech, Epilog. But still not free by any means...:)
Thanks for the recommendation!
I see you have an additional color cover on your laser machine. What is its purpose and do you feel the P2 laser would require an additional cover?
So the additional cover should be ignored. I had built that cabinet to hold an open laser engraver I had prior to getting the s1. I then just adapted it for the s1 until I’m ready to remake the whole thing. I have a p2 as well now and no you don’t need anything outside of what the machine already has. Sorry for the confusion!
What about the cnc mounted lasers like the ones onefinity sells. Do they pose the risks you are concerned about? I assume they would.
Yes I have a longmill cnc and did not get the laser add on for that reason. You can build your own enclosures for them and try to make them as safe as possible, which is what I have done with the open gantries I’ve had in past. My longmill cnc is in an enclosure so I could have swapped the plexi for laser safety glass and vented it BUT no fire detection or suppression, no auto shutoff if someone opens the lid etc I also have kids at home. So for me I am now personally endorsing factory built enclosed machines because of those features.
Yeah I figured. I guess the issue is if I have a 4x4cnc and have larger projects it would be nice to be able to employ the laser too. I guess I would just be limited to the capacity of the CNC to do the engraving. I'm new to it it so just doing some due diligence and making sure I understand as much as possible prior to making any equipment investments.
yeah the larger engraving area is the benefit as well as not having to use up more shop space for two machines. I would just caution that if you go that route make sure that you build a quality enclosure for it and use tested laser glass that’s rated for your lasers wavelength. The real stuff is going to be several hundred dollars for a decent window size. (A 12x24 is around $150) I have a video on the channel on my CNC enclosure build as well as another video where I specifically compare lasers with enclosures to open gantry lasers so you can see all the differences
Wish they would buy back my M1, as they clearly has discontinued it
Why do you say they discontinued it? It’s for sale and I don’t see any articles about discontinuing it?
@@BitnerBuilt it was hyperbolic. After the riser I don’t think they added much to it. Am stuck with the 10w module that’s really bad and XCS features don’t seem to be supported, like that x,y square position tool
Where did you buy your apron?
Here’s the link, I actually reviewed 6 aprons on the channel, mine is good but I like the eco better. I can’t use it though because it makes a leathery squeak noise and it get picked up on the microphone but that’s a me problem! amzn.to/3Lmdy6U
I'm not going to disagree that enclosures are safer but not happy with the idea they're going to do away with open gantry. I'm just about to get a D1 so I can laser larger items. I have an enclosed CO2, great for glasses, not so much for the decanter that goes with them.
With the enclosure you immediately limit the height of the laser. A 5" decanter needs clearance under the rotary, plus the height of the diode so about 10-12".
The bottom of the s1 is removable (it obviously removes the no glasses safety) and then you can place that on wood blocks (as you would with the d1) for something taller that wouldn’t fit with the riser. So that solves the height issue. When you don’t have to do that larger item it can go back to a fully enclosed safer unit.
We have the same surname. I live in the uk and never come across anyone with the same surname apart from my family.
Oh wow! It’s uncommon here as well but I know of some in New York City and in Pennsylvania. My father’s side is German / Italian.
@@BitnerBuilt my fathers side are polish my grandad come to the uk during ww2 he was part of the polish army
How many of these things give off toxic gas when engraved?
So it’s what you’re engraving not the laser itself. Obviously when engraving on wood it makes smoke similar to a camp fire. But other materials can release carcinogens, lead, chromium, cadmium, engraving on pvc releases chlorine gas (very bad don’t engrave pvc) that is why an enclosure that your venting outside is really important! I actually in a video engraved on a metal tumbler with an open laser that I didn’t cover so I could get a good camera shot, omg the smell that came from it I had to hit the emergency stop and run from the room. Went back in with a respirator, opened the door and vented the room.
I thought you could not laser foam because it creates a bad gas that could kill you? Hmm what foam did you use?@@BitnerBuilt
You can laser cut several foams, I cut PE or Eva foam, this is the same foam that a lot of machines come packed in which is also laser cut directly for that tool, I usually save large pieces that are rectangles and don’t have a lot of holes in them for my own uses later
Oh, I am sorry what is PE foam? @@BitnerBuilt
Here’s a whole page breaking down lasering foam you can read www.xtool.com/blogs/xtool-academy/laser-cut-foam
The first three links in the description pull up 404 not found.
thanks for letting me know, I just updated them. The trade in program is over and I guess they changed some page links but all working now!
@@BitnerBuilt No worries. Thanks for your videos! If I do buy one.. it will be from your links.
@@DarksouIjah awesome much appreciated! Those commissions help fund all these build projects! In all honesty too I really love the actual products, I sold all my other stuff and just have their lasers in the shop now
I have a lot more then 500.00 in Spider1X
✌️