Are Lasers Good For Knifemaking? || XTool D1 Pro 20W Diode Laser Review & Testing
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2024
- I can't believe what this thing can do to hardened carbon steel....
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00:00 - Setting Up An Awesome Video
02:06 - Knife Templates
04:50 - Leather / Cardboard Engraving Tests
09:01 - Full Leather Sheath Template
19:10 - Etching Carbon Steel
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What else do yall think I can use this thing for?!?
Here is my affiliate link to the laser => www.xtool.com/products/portable-diode-laserbox-d1-for-laser-engraving-laser-cutting-b?ref=RedBeardOps&
Also... I made these feet to brace the unit to my work bench. Here are the SVG files for sale on Etsy --> www.etsy.com/RedBeardMakes/listing/1303570439/xtool-feet-brace-downloadable-svg-file?Copy&ListingManager&Share&.lmsm&share_time=1662929661868
Amazon Link To Laser - amzn.to/3qsZbCG
i wish i could engrave my knife with the 5watt that i have. time to upgrade!
@@andrewfischer6055 Check this one out... made for metal apparently. www.xtool.com/products/xtool-1064nm-infrared-laser-module?ref=RedBeardOps&
you could design and cut out cardboard shipping boxes.
@georgescott8667 If you need boxes, let me know. I am a production supervisor for one of the major packaging companies in the U.S. I'm not trying to sell anything! I just know how time-consuming and aggravating this project can be. Again, I am not trying to sell anything. Just help out if I can.
That's a really handy addition to your shop, James!
I'm looking forward to your future builds using it.
Cheers from England
🇬🇧🙏🏻🇺🇸
Thanks man! Cheers from Texas!
Try blacking the steel before running the laser. The darker surface will absorb the light better.
Good review. That's a slick little tumbler too. I might have to do one of those for cartridge cases.
Your tutorials and reviews are very much appreciated.👍🍻
ThNks William! Glad you enjoyed it
So I've been tooling around debating about getting this set up and was about to pull the trigger yesterday, but wanted more info. Then you drop this video. Thanks!
Heck yeah Mark! I hope you enjoy your laser. Cheers
Awesome video as usual and very relevant to me as I'm setting up my Neje diode laser I bought with almost the exact same uses in mind for my knife making 👍
Heck yea! Good luck with the set up man.
Been waiting for this!!! Thanks for covering this new laser
Glad you enjoyed it! Man, it's pretty cool... gotta say. I hope to find many uses for this guy.
@@RedBeardOps I’ve had people request personalization on blades before, but I can’t afford a fiber laser for awhile… I’ll have to look into getting one of these… is there an option for you to get the new infrared laser module too?
@@Stefanhallusa I don't know much about it... but yes. Check this out - www.xtool.com/products/xtool-1064nm-infrared-laser-module?ref=RedBeardOps&
I really enjoy running my D1 from xtool! It’s a crazy cool machine! So happy it works for you!! Possibilities are endless with the laser!!
Thanks Mary! Agreed!
Great video! You gave me a few new ideas how I can use my Xtool. Thanks!
Glad to help!
big steps mate! good to see your progress
Cheers sir!
Great review!!! Just subscribed because I love to watch knife building! Very cool!!!
Awesome, thanks DK! Have a great rest of your Sunday
Love the idea of use on sheathes, boxes and even cutting templates!!
I love the thing! Been doing great for me so far
Cool man, you just confirmed my thoughts, I'm going to buy myself a laser engraver specifically for engraving knives and for cutting leather for scabbards! Thank you for the video!
Heck yeah man! Good luck with your lasering. It's pretty nifty for sure.
Thanks for the video, nice to see some workshop / alternate uses for the tool. I'll be interested to see how you go with the makers mark on leather; stamp method versus laser cut.. I can't see the laser cut being as durable as the stamp method.
Well, Sir, I thank you for the video. I have very similar activities going on, and this video is just what I was looking for.
Glad it was helpful!
This looks like a super effective tool for a knife maker. Looks like you're picking up on how to use this super fast. Makes me wonder how much more this can do. You'll have to do some follow up videos in the future. :)
It's very cool for sure! Can't way to play wit it some more. Cheers man
Great tool, great review, many thanks. I may put it on my buy list, but I'm happy with electroetching for now. If and when I start making a lot of sheathes this clearly would be a game changer.
Thanks Bryson, man I agree... It does a great job with leather.
And now you've demonstrated how well it does with foam inserts. This is moving up on my "buy" list quickly! Thanks again.@@RedBeardOps
That laser can prepare a lot of work on sheaths and save a lot of time. Good vid!
Great video Red.
Do you think a 40watt version would engrave steel better?
Hey Eric, I don't know for sure, but I imagine the more power it has the better it will do
Youve made my mind up. I just placed my order :)
Heck yea Andy! Glad it helped! Hope you like yours. I've been using mine a bunch as you may be able to tell... If you're ordering again in the future that affiliate link helps the channel. Cheers
@@RedBeardOps as I live in Jersey in the UK, I doubt the link would have been any good, but thanks anyway,.
XTool just released a metal engraving laser module for the D1 series of lasers. It might do a better job for you with engraving your mark on the blades. As a laser guy I will tell you just leave the air assist on for all projects you will rarely need to have it off. Another is Look at getting CerMark Ultra Laser Marking Aerosol, white spray paint or even just masking tape over the metal you want to engrave helps. Giving the laser a material that enhances the lasers output (not bare metal) helps a ton. Being a shinny surface you are only getting a small percentage of what the laser can do to the surface of the blade.
Thank you greatly for the comment! I'll have to try the CerMark... and maybe that infrared laser!
From watching the video i think this will help you out in knife making. You can all so use it for things. Can't never have too many tools when making knives. Have fun .
Cheers will! Thank you
Thanks for all the detailed info in your video. I'm looking to cut leather. Thickness would be between 0.5mm and 2mm. Do you think a 20W Atomstack A5 could do it?
I really don't know anything about that machine. If it's as strong as the 20W Xtool, then probably.
-Cut your own vinyl resist out for etching and other things. If you wanted to replicate an exact clay pattern for a hamon, you could make a vinyl template to stick on the blade, coat with clay, and lift the vinyl off leaving the clay only where you wanted it. When you're bringing the hamon out after heat treatment, using the same template modified to only expose the thin line of the hamon and covering the rest of the blade for etching helps to accentuate it during polishing.
-Add engraving or texture to scales, put your logo or designs on kydex.
-Scales, G10 spacer material, and even leather biscuits for Ka-Bar style handles could be cut to shape precisely. I'm kinda running it through my head wondering if cutting out scales with a laser would be faster than the usual method of bandsaw to rough shape and hog the rest off with a belt. I can see it being beneficial for a few situations even if it ended up being slower...it would certainly have less waste, which works for me as I collect the scraps for future mistakes and woodworking projects. It would also be handy to perfectly locate scales (if you also laser etched the template on the steel) without having to remove any scale material by sanding beyond beveling or a touchup while off the knife. I've done a few pattern knives that I low temp blued and matching the scales to the tang without sanding off that bluing was difficult to say the least. If I had CNC precise scales to match a CNC precise tang, I wouldn't need to individually fit each scale flush by grinding some of the tang along with it.
-Folding knives would be a snap if you could design them on the computer and simply laser etch the pattern of each part to a sheet of dykem coated steel. Making scales to fit against the bolster and whatnot, as well as locating screw holes accurately, would also save a lot of time if all you had to do was cut or mark them with the laser. Make prototype folders out of wood, or little wood knife kits meant for kids.
-Kydex templates for sheaths or ancillaries like belt loops, possibly? I dunno how laser cutting thermoplastics would turn out, since even using a jigsaw makes the kerf melt back together sometimes. I guess an air assist to keep the kydex cool would be an important key to success.
-Cut form fitting foam for knife shipping to keep it protected, like the big knife companies do.
Very good ideas man! I like the foam cutting for the boxes. I wonder how it will handle foam. Cheers dude
That's a sexy piece of kit right there.
I just hit the subscribe button after this video!
Well I’m 99% sold for my hobby knife making, but did you happen to try any stainless steels like CPM154 to test etch makers mark.
I did not; I'll say if you plan on etching steel, check out their infrared version. Seems better suited. www.xtool.com/products/xtool-1064nm-infrared-laser-module?ref=RedBeardOps&
That laser is really nice. Glad it is working out well for you.
Thanks Glen, it's cool for sure. Can't wait to find some more applications for it!
@@RedBeardOps Where in Texas are you? I'm in Houston...well actually Pearland.
@@glenpaul3606 To be honest, I try not to say. Cheers sir!
Also a knife guy doing leather. I've designed and etched images on stainless (440) and cut out. Also sheaths and awesome saddle style graphics on the leather. Patches, bracelets, belts, works awesome.
I'm going to buy the new infrared module that etched all metals to put designs and logos on the blade
Let me know how that goes! I'm currious on those.
Love your videos well done. You could really use a Langmuir CNC Plasma table. For all the fabrication you do. I have one myself fantastic shop tool. Best price around for this type of machine.
Great idea!
It is amazing how fast lasers and 3018 CNCing have advanced in the last year.
100% agree
Those trim carbide rotary files with a bearing guide that you could technically put in a router-table rather than a die-grinder....
Would make trimming up to a glued on template from hardboard or cheap plywood after rough-cutting very quick, easy and repeatable...
You could also use the laser to cut stitch holes........
Good ideas Thomas!
I have the 10W diode version of this laser. I would recommend going for the 20 if not the 40w. The 10 struggles on wood thicker than a few mm, haven't tried leather but I think it would burn more than cut. They make a IR module which MIGHT work better for marking metal but I think fibre would be the way to go. The template was a good idea, I hadn't thought of that. As I venture in to knifemaking I think I will keep mine around rather than sell at a loss but I wish I had gone with more power.
I agree, fiber is the way for metal for sure! Thanks for the note on the power
Hey any way you can tell me how you got your sheath pattern loaded to the software?
Drew in Fustion 360 (using sketch); exported sketch as DXF file; dragged and dropped into LightBurn.
The 20w does have a capability to "mark" the steel but you can actually get colours (e.g. red), at least on stainless. You can also use marking sprays like Cermark, Brilliance or Enduramark for black on your steel.
That's cool! Will need to experiment.
@@RedBeardOps Also note different thicknesses of stainless require different settings. I found that out after doing a water bottle, which is likely .2mm vs a card that was .9mm. A test array (XCS) or materials test (Lightburn), will probably be most effective in the 60%+ power range, and 1-30mm/s (60-1800 mm/m) speed
I had two thoughts, one being making the holes for the thread and or rivets in the leather. (Don't know if that's what was said.) Second, you could maybe put down tape, use the laser to do an etch in the knife and then also with an electric etch to give it a little more depth. Also could use to just cut out the mark for the electric etch in tape. Could ez do the buyers name too, maybe free or a small added fee.
Very good thoughts. Masking is something I need to play with for sure.
This is awesome thank you very much for all your videos. Are you going to BLADE show?
Glad you liked it! I won't be able to make it this year :(
Thanks. Can you cut the stiching holes rather than drilling them?
Yes you can! I know because I tested it today. Check out the results here in this thread - www.bladeforums.com/threads/cutting-out-patterns-with-a-diode-laser.1890095/
mm/sec is co2 laser speed setting... For diode is mm/min bcz its a lot slower... And mever use 100% power on diode laser, it dramaticly reduce diode work time... Max 80%... For cutting its bether with more speed and a few passes, less burn traces left after cut... But great use of lasser... You have Cermark laser marker I think.. and Dry Molly works... Aply and laser when is dry...
Fiber would be bether but its a lot expencive from diode laser...
I actually proffered the 20% power logo on the leather, but you know better what will hold up to wear.
It's a balance for sure!
Also look up metal business cards. They look amazing when lazering. Amazon has them
Very cool, good ideas Curtis! Cheers man
I dont have that machine, but I use my little cnc laser all the time for engraving and etching things on sheaths and blades.
very cool!
I cut out blanks 5hen glue them directly to the knife steel. Then gring to the templet.
Try using double backed carpet tape to hold the leather down. It holds nice and flat
Thanks James!
Red not trying to get into your business but you will need to get a fiber Mopa laser. Maybe a 30w
That sounds like fun!
Question: Could you not just laser the outline onto the steel, rather than needing a template?
Hey Dan, I think this would work. The template is probably faster though if doing a batch of blades. Less set up time
Very nice. I wonder how it would do with stainless steel.
Good question!
You get a like from me for the thumbnail alone:)
LOL, glad you liked it Robert! I had fun with that
They have come out with a 40w and a 10w IR laser designed to etch metal.
Can you not etch the actual knife outline on the steel foregoing the wooden template entirely?
I'm sure you could, but when doing batch work, I'd rather the wood template.
What type of files are you using for the sheath and makers mark?
I drew them up in nanoCAD; exported as dxf; then dragged into LightBurn for the sheath.
I had the makers mark as a JPEG so I brought it straight into LightBurn
@@RedBeardOps Thank you
Great review. It's super nice to see your research into how you actually would use it. Although I hate the background music. It's a nice song for two minutes. At close to 27 minutes my brain is fried. Please change song once in a while. After this I need to clean my synapses with some techno.
Sorry Anton
Just a quick tip I found recently. Try wetting the leather before laser cutting, and cut the leather before applying any dyes/oils. No burned edges, and no burned odor.
Very cool! I’ll try it
Wow, I am impressed with that xtool, I have a CO2 laser and a Fiber laser, with the fiber i do makers mark for knifes etc. CO2 to do all non metals engraving and cutting. I have to say you save a lot of money not getting a CO2 laser as you have to deal with mirrors and lenses where the xtool doesnt have that it appears. Way cheaper than fiber laser as well.
Thanks for your comment Steve! I'm impressed as well... having access to tools like these in 2022 is pretty cool to think about. Cheers sir!
Will you be getting the infrared laser they're going to offer?
Hey mark, I don't know. It looks pretty cool for sure! Seems very powerful.
I didn’t no brass black would work on high carbon steel,cool
Everything I read online says you need a fiber laser when engraving any metal for depth. How is this working for him?
Lots of passes at high power... not sure why it works... but it worked. I'm sure the infrared would be better
Super usefull
Glad you think so! I can see people who make batches of the same knife fine efficiency improvements by cutting out sheaths quickly.
Grab a small can of Cermark ultra spray and do a light coat before laser etching steel. It makes a tremendous difference in depth and blackness.
Thanks for the tip! I've seen that stuff. Looks cool
Can you cut out handle materials with it?
I'm not 100% sure. I think I could get away with some woods in the 1/4'' thick range.
I have a cheap diode array laser. I laser through nail polish then electroetch the nail polish acts as a mask or resist for the electrochemical etch. It’s the cleanest makers mark I have done. .
That is slick!
@@RedBeardOps thank you. I saw someone else do it on YT spray paint and a more powerful laser than my sub $200.
You could etch the blade instead of making a template (just spray it first)
This is for sure possible with one offs. But the template works better for batch jobs
Do you think it would work on stainless steel?
I guess it depends on what you mean by "work." I think with enough passes it could burn in. Then you'd have to blacken it like I did. They do advertise being able to mark stainless steel, but these diode lasers aren't really designed for deep etching steel, IMO. They are coming out with an infrared laser which I think will be strong enough for a lot of metal etching - www.xtool.com/products/xtool-1064nm-infrared-laser-module
On your steel Air assist on, and paint the steel with a cheap dark pain say black or dark blue! it will make your marks far far cleaner and better!
Thank you!
Another great video. I love the smell of burnt wood....
LOL
re Makers mark: you should be able to save money on stencils. If you put some tape on the blade, you can burn through it and start the etch with the laser, then use the unetched tape already in place as a stencil to add depth electrochmically.
*electrochemically
Dude I like this idea... Need to try it!
@@RedBeardOps I do this on my knives, allows me to serialize them. I use a mask of spray paint though instead of tape. I use the 10W D1 Xtool laser.
@@reubjames Heck yeah, that's awesome. What is your method on the spray paint? (type / length of dry time / coats / etc)
@@RedBeardOps I’m spraying 2 coats of rustoleum matte black, about 20 mins apart, then let dry overnight. Burning it off with 1 pass, 400mm/min, 85% (10w model). Then etching and darkening with my electro etch machine at around 80% power (Personalizer Plus). After that using some Back to Nature Citrus paint stripper to take the paint off the blade. So far on hardened 1095 and 1084. All with good results. Even marked a few fully completed knives and just had to run a fine Sandflex block over it to clean it up. I’ll send you a message on Instagram with a photo of the results.
So wonder how it works on stainless steel.
Good question!
It's great that you can make a wood template to scribe around with speed, but why not just laser etch the metal and forget about the template?
Hey Stephen, I think a wooden template is superior for a few reasons. First of all, it takes way less set up time once cut out. I can trace it onto a 4' bar a few times and work on a batch with minimal set up time. On the laser you need to take time to get it all aligned then run the job. Also when working with large bars doing batches, you wouldn't be able to fit the whole bar in the machines cutting space.
Cheers!
@@RedBeardOps thanks for that... Every day's a school day!
@@stepheniley Cheers sir! Have a great rest of your Sunday
Also..... If you take your logo make it a jpeg or png file. Import it into lightburn it will import as an IMAGE. 6000 MM/S (Do the math of your using MM/M) and a power of 30. This works different then FILL and LINE. basically it doesn't leave the laser on constant and fires the laser at a fast rate.
Gotcha! So this would prevent the leather getting cut as easily, right?
@@RedBeardOps yes Sir
i think even if the equipment is garbage, you should review it, it could be beneficial for some people, just as long as the people who might send you stuff won't get butt hurt
It's a tough one. Part of it is not wanting to spend time making videos on stuff that is questionable. Luckily this hasn't happened to me yet... I think the reason this hasn't happened is that I do my research on the items I'm accepting for reviews... so I at least know the equipment has worked for other people before talking the leap on my channel.
Absolutely agree with U, Bro
Are you saying this thing is garbage? I have one on the way and starting to feel like it's a toy laser.. guess I should have done more research and should have figured it was china made.
@@NickyVEE89 No. I like mine and use it frequently. Not a toy for sure.
@@RedBeardOps ok cool. Thanks
What is the lifespan of this tool?
Good question, I really don't know. I've since heard that you shouldn't run the diode at 100% power... So I've been running it at 80% and it's doing good. Should increase the life. You can buy replacement lasers as well.
@@RedBeardOps Thank you for your response.
just want to tell you that you can actually cut the holes for sewing, with the laser!
I'll have to give that a go! Cheers!
Try sanding up to 600 grit, then Laser etch. I'll bet it will be an even better mark. Over all looks like a slick little tool. Great review, your channel costs me a lot of money. 😁
LOL, I feel you man! Tools are cool, it's amazing what we have access to in 2022.... I'll have to give that a try, I'm a little worried about the reflective nature of 600 grit sanded steel.
@@RedBeardOps Your probably right. I wounder if you can use sooty flame to blacken it up after fine sanding. Interesting experiment any how.
@@armadilloforge That's a good idea
То же самое, что гордится токарным станком за $500))) и делать на станке 3д модели))) для маркировки есть маркеры, для резки стали, есть заточенные лазерные станки, а это игрушка для детей познавать мир) не более) а стамеской так же можно забивать гвозди) спасибо!
Ваше здоровье!
Might have been said already but skip the wood template and just etch the knife pattern on the steel.
That's a slick idea Darren!
@@RedBeardOps And you can still blue the steel prior if you need more contrast.
Ha, I was just about to say, just dykem the blank and then do a quick pass to put the pattern on rather than using wood blanks. Maybe do a deep etch in the center of the handle pin holes to create a center punch for an exact location.
@@Skinflaps_Meatslapper Very nice idea
Cut the stich holes straight away. Why bother just marking them then make the holes by hand? Love this laser. An engraved bolster or guard would be interesting to play with. ✌ 😃
I will try this for sure! Cheers James
For the price of this laser, I can get a used fibre 20w galvo marking laser
Good luck with your laser sir! Cheers
Rather than making a Leather template, why not just cut the actual leather
On the leather, I did just cut it. I think I'll use it for templates for steel. 13:40
🤩🤩🤩🤩 🤩 💯💯💯💯 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
Scale
Have a great day!
Cutting sheaths like this is cheating! ;)
LOL
wayyy too much power lol. 70% at like 500mm/s would do it.
Thanks! I've since backed it off to 80% power and 5mm/sec for most of my cutting. Just using multiple passes if needed.
@@RedBeardOps just finished your vid. Great review. I just watched a video on that laser showing it cut 19mm wood in one pass at 100% and 100mm/s which is excellent. I have the atomstack x7 10watt and knew even on that machine 100% power and 100mm/s on 1/8" wood is overkill. That leather cut is clean though!
MAKING A KNIFE CLICK BAIT
Huge fan of making knives! Cheers
Coal unfinish or finish metal with 3 coats of Dry Moly Lube in a spray can, 15 minutes apart on coat. you`ll have a nice dark etch.
Thanks for the tip!