How to Cut and Engrave Acrylic with a Laser - xTool D1 10watt
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มี.ค. 2022
- How to Cut and Engrave Acrylic with a Laser. You guys keep asking, so here you go! Cutting acrylic with a laser. Engraving acrylic with a laser. Giving me a headache in the shop from fumes from the laser!
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Working with Fire, lasers, Electricity and Power Tools is extremely dangerous. Please use caution if you are attempting anything in these videos.
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USED IN THIS VIDEO (affiliate links):
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Acrylic:
store.xtool.com/?ref=RyzFeVwU...
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#builddadbuild - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Dude. That "What's in the box?" reference was so old school. Loved it.
Nick those look awesome! I can't wait to get my xtool. Please keep providing great content. More "How-To" videos with the xtool please!!!
You got it!
Another awesome video, entertaining and educational as always! I'm really digging how well those acrylic cuts went and the logo (also that shirts hilarious). Thanks for the great content!
Thanks, brother!
Cheers
Ok its official, you made me buy a new shop toy! Thank you! Hopefully its pretty easy for a guy to pick up as a virgin laser user. Can't wait to see what we can do with this thing. I appreciate your videos brother and look forward to learning a lot from here and other places of the same topic.
Awesome! You'll dig it. The learning curve is not very steel at all.
Cheers
Love your humour and your builds and your shirt.
I am about to purchase the D1 (thanks to your awesome vids!) I really appreciate your great videos on the D1!
Thank you.
Cheers
Just found the channel and I love the upbeat energy.
Welcome to the Party, Brad!
Cheers
The video should be titled "How to make a balls of it, but with extra steps"! I enjoyed the Warts'n'all approach, mistakes provide powerful lessons. The Logo disk at the end looks brilliant.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Cheers
Wrapped in plastic!
I love the humor in your videos, man! You always put a smile on my face. Like, "Yeah, I'd have a beer with this dude."
I'd have a beer with you too!
Cheers
Love the acrylic cut, especially the red engrave. I recently brought the creality 10w laser cutter and failed very badly with my acrylic project. Seeing this has given me hope to try again, I'll be trying to mirror some otlf those settings! Sadly creality have the worst customer service and after care so that linked cut info is very valuable
Great video, Nick, as ever, I learnt a lot. Love the red sparkly acrylic, I will be ordering some of that!
That stuff looks good!
Cheers
I find you fascinating so I will binge watch the hell out of your channel!! 😂 thanks
Awesome! Thank you!
Hey, love your videos, so much to learn. Can you post a new link for the magnets you purchased. The one in the description is not working anymore.
You are so fun and awesomely helpful! I wish you were my uncle and I could come craft with you!
LOL I'm much crankier in person..🤣
Cheers
Dude great vid. Love the acrylic ! You look like a mad scientist with those goggles on, love it !
Now that makes me think I should buy a lab coat! LOL
Cheers
Awesome video . Got an xtool a while ago but was very inexperienced with it and I’ve learned so much here. Not sure if it’s the brand of acrylic that I’m using but I had to 100% on the engraving . Not sure why but 30% was rlly faded for me.
Thank you for another informative video, appreciated. On an unrelated topic, I have watched two of your videos on tumblers, in one of them you mentioned the use of Dry Molly to be wiped off with lacquer thinner, then I used alcohol and it works, to later find out that water works just fine and perhaps a little better. I drenched a magic eraser with water and rubbed a little hard few times and then voilà, it comes out right off without much of dirt, almost like a film leaving very little dirt as it does lacquer to rinse behind. Have learn from you so this is just a little contribution from my part, I hope. Thanks again.
Hey Marco!
Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a try.
Cheers
Love the t-shirt!!! Best band in the world!!
Man got my xtool ordered today brother I’m very excited.
Awesome! You'll dig it the most!
Cheers
I'm REALLY thinking about getting a laser cutting machine and have been watching videos to learn and I really enjoyed yours. You're very entertaining and fun. This XTool brand seems to be pretty popular and I've read some good reviews on sites that did comparisons.
There's a great user base and Facebook group too!
Awesome!! I just got a bunch of acrylic to to try perfect timing for this vid!!
Sweet!!
love your videos, thanks for helping us understand the capabilities. wondering if you can recommend proper eye protection for the Xtool D1? Thanks!
Hey there!
These are the ones I use:
amzn.to/3LjMF0w
Cheers
if you want to cut, you can try to focus the laser on the surface of honeycomb than on the top of the acrylic. Works well for me - I'm using ortur laser master 2.
100 speed
70% power
2 passes
Have you ever been asked to do clear acrylic engraving? I have a customer that just asked me today if I could do a heart fingerprint, laser, engraving on clear acrylic I’ve never done laser engraving on acrylic at all yet any tips inside from the video?
Very cool nick!!!
Thanks brother!
Cool video Nick! I'll have to try the acrylic! I've been making mirrors lately!
That's on the list! LOL
Cheers
“Just kidding don’t touch me” I LOVE IT!
Exactly!
Love this stuff.
Thanks, brother!
Cheers
Ordered!! Thanks for the 8% discount!
Sure thing!
I have the D1 and just begun. I have a clear piece of acrylic that I want to etch. But the laser somehow burns through, bounces off and actually etches the front and back of material and also shows a bit of a burn.
What setting do you recommend?
What black base are you using?
Your laser can't "see" clear acrylic. There are some tricks like tempura paint...but I'm still experimenting with them!
Cheers
Like the acrylic very much. You could cut a great router template using that. Might need to cut 2 or 3 and glue them together for thickness but with the laser that wouldn't be a problem.
Yeah, I've actually seen people do that.
Cheers
Try using damp paper towels under the acrylic, it works! You’ll get a very clean cut🤙🏻
Thank you very much for your video.
I'm considering getting into this type of craft.
I don't know anything about it yet but I'm curious as to how you find images and programs to do some of the projects like one and also for example images to put on wood.
Google is your friend! LOL
If you're making something for yourself then google away. If you're planning on selling your work make sure you look for images that are not copyright protected. As far as programs, Laserbox Basic is free with the machine. I use Adobe Illustrator for design work, but Inkscape is a great FREE alternative.
Cheers!
@@BuildDadBuild thanks for the info!
Thanks for your video. I had a question about engraving, is there anything/material that would be bright white? I see how well your lazer engraved the green material, and it turned out white. But is there a material that would look bright white? Thanks so much
I don't know of anything that will go brighter white than that except Enduramark's engraveable plastics.
enduramark.com/collections/engravable-plastics
If you want to check them out use promo code: rotary15 for 15% off your purchase.
Cheers
Do you think you could do clean acrylic work (earrings, etc) using the 5w D1 instead of the 10w?
Do you mean clear or clean? A diode laser cannot cut clear acrylic.
If you are talking about "clean" engravings and cuts on darker acrylic I would have you reference this for power and speed:
cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/664971419506966538/943584320055025744/Material_settings_file_for_xtool_material.pdf
Cheers!
Hey love the videos man really insightful. I just received my D1 and was curious how well it does on the acrylic without the air assist?
Thanks for all the great content!
Hey Jason!
You don’t need the air assist to cut acrylic. Just make sure you’re in a well ventilated area.
Cheers!
Good morning. Are you using Laserbox or Light Burn? If using Laserbox, what setting are you using as far as where Material is chosen? Mine doesn't have one for acrylic.
Thanks in advance 🤙🏽
HEy Merv!
Check this out for suggested settings:
cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/664971419506966538/943584320055025744/Material_settings_file_for_xtool_material.pdf
Cheers
Cool video as usual. I'm nearly convinced that I want one of these xtool lasers... One of my use cases is cutting clear acrylic. Is this something you have tried and does/did it work?
You can't cut clear acrylic with a diode laser. You'd be looking at a CO2 laser. Something like my Muse Core.
th-cam.com/video/n-nceL-AL8k/w-d-xo.html
Cheers
Thanks for your videos...I just got my x1...I am in the garage no windows, but I let the door up. I am in the south so it's hot...my cuts keep melting badly bubbling...what am I doing wrong?
You've got to dial in your settings. You're either going to slow or using too much power, or both.
Cheers
Any recommendations on if something like this would work on a acrylic/plastic tumbler? Or what might work on them? Thanks and love the videos.
I'm honestly not sure. I'd have to run tests.
Cheers
Another great vid , what is the overall working area of the laser and would you recommend to purchase this machine ?
17" X 16"
I would 100 percent recommend this machine. Let's put it this way. I have 5 lasers and that one, by far, gets the most use!
Cheers
It is good to see that your exercise equipment is getting used! rofl.
It would be really cool to do a layered acrylic piece with LEDs between the layers so you can see each layer clearly. It might improve the piece and the depth effect to have spacers between the layers too. Maybe 3 mm between each layer might make the whole thing cooler. Guess I need to get with it and try some acrylic stuff!
I think you stepped on the frog 🐸😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 top of the morning to ya!
Hello have you tried cutting mirrored acrylic on your xtool d1 10w? I cant seem to get it to cut all the way through even with a test cut file. It seems to melt back together before it cuts all the way through. Do you think the 20w would work, Any advice?
Hey! Email me at nick@builddadbuild.com and I'll let you know my findings. The next couple of days look kind of hectic, but hopefully I can get some tests run!
Hey I was just wondering can you and grave stainless steel tumblers with that that have been powder coated? Great videos by the way
You sure can. Check out this video.
th-cam.com/video/HGxY70wk4ww/w-d-xo.html
Cheers
Hi, Nick. I’m having trouble cutting a straight line (y axis) and a perfect circle. Do you have a video on calibrating belts? The closest I’ve gotten to a perfect circle is if one belt is really loose, and the other, really tight.
I do not. But xTool does!
th-cam.com/video/a_tZ89I3QvQ/w-d-xo.html
Cheers
Great Video! I'm wondering if you know if it's it's possible to cut about 6mm think with the xTool D1 10watt? Settings/passes tweaks? Thanks for the vids! Been watching them lately :)
They don't have anything over 3mm listed on their site, so not sure. I haven't cut anything over 3mm...
www.xtool.com/pages/material-settings
Cheers!
@@BuildDadBuild Thanks! Much appreciated..
Sorry, I may missed it on the video, but how thick are your black and neon green acrylic? Edit: Found it, you said 3mm. Thanks! :)
What setting do you use for 2 and 3 mm acrylic. I used the recommended settings and it did not come out well at all. Thank you. Enjoying your videos
cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/664971419506966538/943584320055025744/Material_settings_file_for_xtool_material.pdf
Awesome Video
That movie is great
Great video!!! Was curious if it’s possible to etch cured epoxy resin, like SuperClear. Thanks.
No. Epoxy is on the DO NOT LAZER list...
Just ordered one! Of course I didn’t see the promo code and link until now unfortunately. Can’t wait to get it! I preordered the 20w too.
Noice!
Hello where did you get the measurements board that you place the product on to engrave/ cut under the xTool D1 ?
From @busterbeagle3d
th-cam.com/video/2zoKgH0o9Js/w-d-xo.html
Cheers
Hey love your videos. I just got my Xtool and without your vids it would still be in the box. can you send a link for the material report list. I cant find it. Thanks in advance
Try this:
cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/664971419506966538/943584320055025744/Material_settings_file_for_xtool_material.pdf
Cheers
Lol love your opening
Hi! I have the M1 I know it’s not exactly the same machine but I really want to engrave acrylic.. I’m in a debate of whether the acrylic needs to be covered/protected in anything?? Or can I engrave directly to the acrylic?! Lol it’s the acrylic that came with the machine when I bought it
Dark colored acrylics can be engraved directly. Lighter colors and clear need some sort of marking agent.
I have the Xtool D1 Pro 20W laser. I'm trying to engrave on acrylic. Could I also do 30% power at 55 mm/s? Or should I adjust it a bit?
You need to run a speed and power grid and determine the best settings for your laser.
@@BuildDadBuild That’s what I figured. 😅 Does Xtool have one of those on their site or do I need to find one?
@@KingersWorld www.o2creative.co.nz/laser/lightburn_basic_generator.php
i have some problem with stainless steel powder coted metal bottle... what are the best setting to engrave it.. witout burning the metal....? thanks in advance
I just use the factory settings for coated metal and stainless steel (in Laserbox Basic)...no issues.
Cheers
ya really having some fun
Question, had any luck with transparent acrylic, I can't seem to get it to cut at all.
I have been experimenting and just started to have a couple of breakthroughs. Stay tuned!
Cheers
do not use ca glue for bonding acrylic. we use specific welding solvent for that purpose.
Hi! Did you use the Lightburn program or the Laserbox program for this?
Laserbox!
Cheers
Thank you ❤️
have you ever cut mylar stencils with the diode?
I have not.
Can you cut any type of shape on acrylic for example a graduation cap also engrave on it.
Any shape? Yes.
My D1 will be here today and I think I might have consumed a bunch of your videos. They are super informative and entertaining. I have one question so far. I’ve noticed on some of your circles with your logo in the middle the engraving seems off center from the cut circle. Is this an illusion or an issue with this tool. I am curious because I am still trying to figure out from videos how to perfectly line stuff up. Again thanks for the videos keep it up! Subbed!
Usually human error. LOL
The cut circle will snap to center around a circular image.
Cheers
@@BuildDadBuild thanks! I got the D1 and have watched most of your videos. I appreciate it!
Hey Nick, added my subscription to your path to 100k. Keep going man.
Did I hear right that the speed for the cut was 3mm/ sec? I have a sculpfun s10 and would love trying out acrylic, even though here in South Africa, materials like this in "domestic" sizes is not common or easily available. See you in the next vid - Cheers
That sounds about right.
And Cheers!
Did you have to put anything on the red acrylic to make it come out white for the logo?
No. That is just acrylic and the laser.
Cheers
I know that there is a problem with clear acrylic, however if you treated it the way you treat glass, do you think that would work?
I've seen folks use tempera paint. Washes off with water after the fact.
I'm still working on a better solution. Stay tuned!
Cheers
Hey Nick... como estas? Great videos, nice channel. Thanks to you I've had done several wood projects.
But here is my question. Do you know what is the best way to cancel xtool for get info about an order?
I saw your videos about xtool laser and I decided to purchased one Bundle order.. but the communication with them are terrible... I feel like they scammed me..
Anything you could provide as a info for get in Touch with them?.
They just take a long time to respond. They're not scamming you.
Cheers
@@BuildDadBuild, yeap, you are right. They take some time to respond. They finally did it and now is time to learn how to work this gorgeous laser.
Thanks for your videos.. They are very helpful and inspired.
Hi dear! What kind of acril i have to buy for do this?
Thank youu!
Cast acrylic
@@BuildDadBuild thanks a lot man!!! the best!
hello boss
Does the device cut the foam board?
Have a great day
Not sure. It does cut EVA foam if that helps.
I'm looking into purchasing a laser very very soon.... how long does each pass generally take with this laser? All videos I've seen so far are time lapsed so I can't really tell
Depends on the power and speed setting you choose and the material thickness
What John said. It depend on the speed you set the laser to, the material, etc. The reason for the sped up footage is even when it's going fast it's not really that entertaining to wach.
Cheers
Average time? Ball Park figure
@@adambirkett8377 ball park would be the total perimeter of the design divided by speed………..
Can you try plyglass and the xtool I’m curious if it burned or just engrave with material
You can engrave on plexiglass with a transfer agent similar to acrylic.
You can not cut clear plexiglass with a diode laser.
Cheers
So no discoloration or burn with xtool.
Someone wants something added to there plexiglass then want to use a light strip to show it off
is the lighter part on the red one just a "Fill" section?
Yes
Could you do a lesson on creating your skull logo, it’s the bomb
LOL. I paid someone to make that logo.
when cutting Acrylic can you use the basic software? I have the D1 but it does not show on setting?
Absolutely. They only have some suggested settings.
Check this out:
cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/664971419506966538/943584320055025744/Material_settings_file_for_xtool_material.pdf
I have a quick question, can you cut clear acrylic with the XTool D1? I just tried and it did nothing to the acrylic. I know there is something about colors of the laser as well as the acrylic, but I just don't know. Still learning.
Diode lasers can not cut clear acrylic.
@Build Dad Build before I go waste more money on acrylic, it can't cut cut blue either, right? I want to say thank you for the help you give everyone. It keeps me using my laser and not getting discouraged.
Hi Nick, I have a question, perhaps, out of context of the video.
Have you ever cut black adhesive with your xTool D1 10watt? If so, what settings did you use to cut the first (sticky) layer of the adhesive? Thanks
I have not. Make sure to check the MSDS and make sure it’s something that is safe to laser.
Hey Nick! Love the videos! I think you’re the type of guy I would love to hang out and have a beer with!
Question: what was the thickness of the green acrylic? Maybe you said in the video and I didn’t catch it.
Anyway… always look forward to your videos and the interesting things you create!
Take care!
Hey Greg!
All acrylic in that video is 3mm.
Cheers
what software are you using? what were your settings? .... projects look good
That was a while ago. I think it’s Laserbox Basic. I’ve since moved on to Lightburn.
Thanks for the xTool sales info. Ordered the 20w diode. Are you going to demo it?
Absolutely
@@BuildDadBuild I ordered the 20W too, can't wait to get it and see more of your videos.
I really like your videos build dad
Thanks Cindy!
Cheers
I used Blue Acrylic and it would not cut, what other colors are you able to cut through? I have the same 10w machine with the same setting. Thank you
You can’t cut blue acrylic with a blue diode laser.
Would using the lowering adjustment help to get through in 2 passes?
If you want.
Hey Nick, can you cut gold mirrored acrylic with the 10w Xtool? ive tried and can't figure it out. I've tried 100 power 1mm/sec and 3 passes. Any help would be appreciated.
I don’t think you can cut any ‘mirrored’ acrylic with a diode.
Just subscribed. You are awesome! Do you thing this machine can cut mirror acryllic? Do you have a video for it?
I am not sure yet. I've ordered mirrored acrylic, but I haven't gotten to try it yet. Stay tuned!
Cheers
@@BuildDadBuild i surely will.just subscribed to you.it means a lot to me to decide if u purchase or not. Waiting for your video- hope you find one soon❤️
I watched your video but I am getting completely different results with cutting and engraving. I can cut in one pass at only 80 power but when I tried to engrave at 30 power like you did, mine is very, very faint. But when I go up in power, it’s just blurry. I’m not able to get the pretty white engrave that you got no matter what I try. And I’ve been trying for 7 hours now!
Sounds like you may have a focus issue. Try running speed and power and see what settings look best.
basic. depends on type of acrylic for a good engrave. Cast or extruded. Cast for myself seems to work best.
I subscribed because you seem cool. 😂👍🏽
Thank you!
Cheers
Oh, man!! I need to get out! I love plastic bags flying over green fields! 😏
So I am trying to cut 1/8 inch clear plexiglass I am wondering what type of settings should I start out at and I will be using laser box and it does not have any pre-settings for that material is there a particular material I should use in place for the plexiglass
As far as I know you can't cut clear plexiglass with a diode laser. It doesn't "see" the material.
Cheers
@@BuildDadBuild ok cool if I figure it out I will let you know
Can you cut different colors do you think? Like pastel acrylic?
The closer you get to transparent the harder to cut with a diode.
Cheers
Subscribed
I returned recently my xtool 20w pro. It didn’t cut colour acrylic and tried so many times to get the engraving to work also. The smell of acrylic burning is so toxic it gave me a headache. I had to sometimes run a 5 pass to get it to cut the 3mm acrylic and you could really see and smell the burnt melted acrylic. Might be an ok machine but definitely not for cutting and engraving acrylic.
It only cuts certain colors. And you have to use cast acrylic or it will melt instead of cut.
Could you recommend me a good “fairly cheap” laser to cut acrylic with? I have a super cheap $150 machine that cuts wood fine, but it doesn’t do anything for acrylic. “Unless I’m doing something wrong setting wise”
If you want to cut all colors of acrylic you really need to invest in a CO2. I think xTool has one of the cheapest CO2s on the market:
www.xtool.com/products/xtool-p2-55w-co2-laser-cutter?ref=RyzFeVwU5QGEQ&
But it's still gonna run you about $5K
Tried today... XTOOL D1 PRO 20W ... 3mm clear. Failed big time. Went right through but couldn't get it to pop out as fused. Had paper left on both sides. Power 100% speed 3 and 3 runs.
You can't cut clear acrylic with a diode. Only darker opaque colors
@@BuildDadBuild Yep, confirmed that. As any setting made 0 difference basically. The 3 mm ply I have is now cutting like a boss... and the fumes are a lot better until I make a temp exhaust system. Thanks for the fast reply.
Hello i just bought an xtool and was hoping you could do a video on laser bow software? Mosty for text how to make it curve around an image. Or should i upgrade to different software if so can you show how to do cool looking text on that software. Thanks Brent
Hey Brent. I will be doing a "Laserbox Basic 101" video soon. But as far as wrapping text? I don't think LB can do that currently. Check out Lightburn (its free for 30 days) and see if you like it. It's the kind of industry standard for hobby laser folks. And it has the capability to wrap text, etc.
Check out @louisianahobbyguy on TH-cam. He has a ton of really great tutorials.
Also check out my video on how to get Lightburn to recognize the xTool.
th-cam.com/video/jambSsmFKT8/w-d-xo.html
Cheers
Way to keep moving forward with showing new things with the XTool D1. I was wondering if you can try to engrave a pair of airpods, well a knock off pair anyway. I have client that wants a pair engraved so figured I'd hit you up. Cheers
Hmmm...I'll keep an eye out for some cheapos!
Cheers
Can clear acrylic be used?
No. Diode lasers can’t cut clear acrylic
Cheap Wyze wifi cam on my laser helps me keep an eye on my projects remotely.
Good tip!
Cheers!