Great and informative video... One option you didn't cover with regard to desktop machines is the CO2 machines sourced from China, typically available on eBay. I went this route about 4yrs ago. Purchased a 12" x 20", 50W sealed tube CO2 machine for about $1200. It has many of the features of the more expensive domestically sourced (US made) machines. It's not quite as refined, but it does the job just fine. Worked for 30yrs in the industrial laser field and this machine, even though it's a lot cheaper, is every bit a "real" machine as the more expensive ones. Though I don't use it for "production work", it could... That said, not sure how long it'll last for with that kind of use, but for hobby users like me, it's the perfect low cost, nearly full featured machine. The only thing mine doesn't have is a chiller and auto focus. I use a large bin full of DI water that can be cooled by tossing in a few frozen bottles of bottled water. Though it doesn't have auto focus, it does have a manual Z-axis table feature and I use a dial indicator to set the height based off the material thickness used. Again... Great and very informative video. Continue to be amazed at the scope and quantity of equipment available to hobbyists these days!
Somehow just liking and leaving a comment doesn't feel like an equal measure for the lessons I have learned watching it. It's hard to talk about our feelings, but it is so important. Good for you Mark. Keep Making.
23:54 I'm not sure if I'm more jealous of the amazing amount of lasers and other tools you have in this video, or just the amount of shop space you have available, lol
The simple reason I would never ever consider a glow forge is because the software doesn’t run 100% locally I mean what kind of bullshit is that that you need an Internet connection depend on their servers to run it I mean that is so beyond messed up.
I was speaking to one of our suppliers about adding a laser to our shop and his recommendation was when it comes to fiber laser, anything below 8kW are just toys.
What a comprehensive guide! his video is truly invaluable for beginners like me. Thank you for the detailed insights! I have decided to choose the S1or F1 Ultra as my first laser machines.
I’m newer to laser engraving and I have a Snapmaker 2.0 with 1.6w diode, 40w diode, and soon a 1095 infrared. This is one of the best laser engraving orientation videos to show you what you can get and what it’s for I’ve seen. Subscribing.
After years of rebuilding imported laser systems like the Ship of Theseus, I went all in on Epilog and haven't looked back. Pricey, but reliable workhorses with great output. Really the number one factor I can't stress enough in business is reliability - especially during busy seasons & short deadline projects.
@@MyLegacyLaserStudio Epilogs can run from about $10,000 and 30 watts to over $30,000 and 120 watts, (they are high end commercial machines) I have a pair of Mini 24's and the oldest is 17 years old now and about 25,000 hours of running time, it rarely needs parts and when it does, Epilog has great support and fast shipping of those parts.
I would like to purchase a budget friendly, user-friendly software laser that can cut metal, wood,acrylic, and leather but also can engrave. This was a great video, and I'm somewhat a bit overwhelmed because you provide great info, but I'm new to this and would like to purchase a good quality laser that won't break the bank. Any advice would be appreciated.
Based on reviews, the big concern for me is post sales support. It seems that all of them have issues with support to varying degrees; however, I would have went for an xtool but support reviews are horrible. I have some time since I'm holding out until black Friday.
What about adding co2, diode, and IR to a large cnc router base, like 5’x9’ or bigger? Like a 6 in 1 or whatever. Besides needing to improve accuracy. What challenges do you foresee? Or do you have hindsight in this area you’d like to share?
The first step really is to decide what you want to cut/engrave and why - business or hobby/ side hustle? Bear in mind too that not all lasers are Mac compatible or Wifi enabled, which may be important. Size of what you may want to engrave is also very important for cost - do you need a rotary or riser?
I want a laser for just to cut leather patterns like wallets so all I will need to do is sow the wallets together or any leather projects like making kits so people can sow there own wallet thank you
1:43 you say fiber lasers are around 290nm which is incorrect - they are usually between 1000-2000nm, as indicated by the arrow on your graph. Really appreciate the spreadsheet, it is a super helpful resource! Is the xtool conveyer system the only system of its kind?
I wish Xtool sales reps on the phone actually knew what they are talking about. Instead, you ask them a question, they have to flip through their 3 ring binder of facts to give you an answer. Grrrrrr. This makes me hesitant to buy from them.
they literally will tell u to buy accessories from another source rather than trying to help u with ur problems.. and as soon as they put a new product, the one they sold u as a whole package will suddenly wont have any stock for small parts or different accessories.. my closest location to buy in europe from them is their site from Bulgaria and for my D1 pro 2.0 i can find just a honeycomb
Great video sets. Amazing the amount of information you provide. Thanks! I do have a specific question... I want to "engrave" aluminum, not as you mentioned 'etch'. The aluminum will be engraved with characters for displaying outside to identify plants in a community garden. What would be the best type of laser? Based on what I have learned from the videos, I would assume either CO2 or Fiber. My budget is between $1000 and $2500. Thanks in advance.
Hi, love your videos, so helpful. Still having a hard time deciding what laser to buy. I know based on this video I need CO2 vs Diode but which CO2. I am looking to cut mostly acrylic, small pieces and maybe wood (cutting boards). Trying to figure out the best value, really do not have the budget for 7-8k. Any insights would be helpful?
Same here. Hesitate about the budget vs quality to be expected. Looking at some 3K options like atomstack and GW ones, But not sure enoue to make a call.
Awesome video and I appreciate the dicussion being more to the point and less 'fluff' than other video reviewers. I am looking to purchase my first laser as a hobby maker and one critical element I want is to be able to engrave the inside of a ring(stainless, wood, tungsten, ceramic, antler), but I see very few videos on this. Due to the working proximity of the laser module to the material and having to 'tilt' the ring on a rotary, I don't have enough knowledge to choose which ones are compatible with this function. The 2 I have seen have some less desirable reviews from a customer service standpoint.(I would also like it to cut thin wood and engrave various materials, of course) Thank you for any expert advice you may have!
@japaneseDomestic I make rings in all the materials I have listed there. The majority are ceramic, tungsten and stainless. Engraving is the bulk and the I would like to cut thin wood to make ring and pen boxes for my items.
If you want a better machine you should start to focus how they build the gantry on high-end machines vs the cheaper ones. Aeon are on the right direction with their gantry but for the most part all low and mid-end range feels that they are only focus on wattage and not the gantry and the chassi of the machine. DC motors are also very nice to have. The more stable the machine is the better results you will get
I own a scaffolding rental company. All of it is Aluminum. I'd like to engrave my logo & a barcode if possible, probably about 2 x 3 inches. We have long planks with large flat areas & 3" C channel to engrave on. Can you steer me towards a portable machine or at least one where I can clamp the engraver to?
Great video. 6mo ago, I bought a 10w NEJE and it was affordable and so far it's been good for learning. I picked this one because it has a Z axis and I bought their Webcam. Once I become more proficient and can make some passive income from it, then I will upgrade to a CO2 laser.
Great video and great list. The only thing it was missing is Z axis work space and the ability to add a Rotary for glasses and tumblers and such. I know the We creat Vision does but do any other enclosed desktop diode lasers have that?
Just found this channel. My biggest issue with my glowforge I have is if I want even what I consider basic functions I have to pay for them. When I joined the kickstarter as an early bird I do not recall that being stated. I know I had access to them for about a year before I lost those to their subscription model. Needless to say it sits there collecting dust now which is sad.
Great video! Incredibly informative. I recently bought a 40K diode laser (Sculpfun SF-A9), but found that the laser spot size was .4mm - .5mm, which for my purposes is basically unusable. The advertised spot size was .1mm - .15mm. In your experience, is this a common problem for higher-watt diode lasers, or did I just get a lemon?
@@makeorbreakshop I agree, it felt very high to me as well!! I tested it at multiple focus depths from -3mm to +9mm from the recommended focus distance and saw little change (a tiny bit of improvement with longer distance before getting less focused again). I tested it on anodized aluminum as well to be sure I had crisp lines. If your experience is generally better than .4mm for 40W diodes, then I guess I won't give up on diodes just yet. I'll assume that the machine I got was a fluke.
Sounds like you're either terribly out of focus or got a lemon indeed As far as I know the 40W with smallest dot is S1 - the dot is the same size as typical for 20W.
Always super helpful; bought an XTool F1 and love it but already see the need for more power as I do a lot of marking on metal. If I were to buy a 2nd machine, would you recommend the F1 Ultra or a standalone Fiber Laser? Thx!
If you only mark metal,I recommend you choosing the fiber laser machine.And UV laser marking machine can mark all materials,include metal,non-metal and PVC.
Hey 👋 great video. I was wondering how come Sculpfun never gets mentioned in your videos? In my environment those seem pretty common, and I think it's kinda cool that you can get a infrared module for the open gantry type Laser. In any case, I'm really appreciating the info you put together here, since I'm in the market for a new diod laser this black Friday. Thanks and keep on going 😊
Great video. I have an application that involves cutting plastic about .080” (2mm) thick. The plastic is not flat, but has a contour. What would you recommend?
Hi, congratulations for the video. I would like your advice! My son has an Atomstack x20pro, he would like to buy a more professional laser. You are a professional which do you recommend between xtools1 and Omntech 70w? Thanks!
Great info for someone new to this. I might be able to purchase a Thunder Nova 51. Any suggestions on what to consider for pricing? Run time and basic condition of the unit?
Great video, very informative. I've had 4 different lasers and wondered where you'd rank the FS Muse Titan laser compared to other CO2 lasers? Looking to upgrade or trade for another. Thanks!!!
Perfect timing and a great video! I've read that a diode can cut iron on vinyl just fine (PE only, PVC omits noxious fumes) which is all I use a blade for. Would you agree with that? I'd like to obtain a better laser for cutting and engraving 3-6mm? wood than invest in an M1 especially with the ultra out of the budget.
There are two types of heat transfer "vinyl" - one is the actual vinyl which is not safe to laser cut, and the second is the "laser safe vinyl" which is not vinyl at all but PE. That second one is indeed safe to cut with a laser, so you can safely pick something cheaper than M1 Ultra from the desktop diode category.
As always, you answer so many questions I have. I still very interested into a fiber laser, powerful, but with limited budget. Love the F1 Ultra but will like the same power with lower budget ;)
I'd question which machines are class 4 and which class 1. I'd also question which are truely CE marked or just have a CE stamp on them. So many coming out of China are claiming standards they just do not achieve. I'd also question which ones have been tested electrically. (full stop). This year I've seen two that would never have passed electrical or laser safety standards. So beware.
Great, in depth video!! Quick question: the fiber laser module that you can add to the xtool S1, what is that in watts? Is it the power of the F1 or 20 watts like the F1 Ultra? Just wondering which laser to get next. I have the F1; I'll be looking to upgrade sometime in the next few months. Also, do you think xtool is going to do an "Ultra" version of the S1 anytime soon?? 🤔☺ Thanks! -- New subscriber!
On the market for my first laser… unfortunately I want to do metal. Considering a Laserpecker 5 or break down and buy a Roly and MOPA fiber. Not cheap!
Hello! Thanks for the great videos. So, I have a $15k budget and could use some advice! I want to purchase a couple machines that give me the largest selection of material I can work with. Right now I’m looking at the xTool P2S and F1 Ultra full bundles. Enclosed machine with filtration along with pass through and rotary capability is a must! I know there are tons of different companies just like to ask you if you had $15,000 what would you buy for what I am needing? Would it be xtool or a combination of something else! I’d really appreciate your advice or anybody’s advice thank you!
i understand the diferences between that 3 tyoes of laser, but co2 its too expensive for me to start whit it, and fiber it like a on trick pony and is not cheap either so i will start whit a diode 20w becouse i have to see if i can make some money whit it befor decide to go up in my investment, nice video!
i think i can give a answer to that. If you are engraving jewelry i would go for a fiber marker and atleast 30-50w with a quality laser source like JPT or Raycus. The metall you will be engraving is highly reflective and then you need power. I have been running a JPT tube hard since 2013 and the machine never gives up. If you´re into jewelry consider buying a laser welder with a microscope if you want to produce and not only engrave :)
Hi thanks for the video. Do you have recommendation about laser engraver to cut an A5 magnet paper (about 0.4mm thickness) ? something pretty compact, safe and cost effective.....
I want to do detailed engraving on 8-9 ounce vegetable tanned leather. All pieces would be pre-cut and smaller than 7 x 10 inches. Not a production shop, just 50 or so items per year. Could you please recommend some lasers that would do the job?
Curious as to why you don't include ComMarker machines? I've noted there are only a handful of videos about the ComMarker Omni 1 UV laser engraver so far. Is the company difficult to deal with? Anyone else have any experiences with them?
hey man watched your video its great , i m just confused little bit i want to buy an paper laser cutting (techinically colour chart 80 gsm paper) which one should i prefer like low budget
Hi to all here on this channel. I'm a beginner in this field but curious about what those lasers can do.... anyone knows about engraving on motorcycle helmets or motorbikes "bodies" (fairings) which are mostly made of carbon fibre, fibreglass or polycarbonate....those products as you probably know or can suppose are not flat and not small.....what type and what minimum power of laser (machine) should I use to do engraving on? Thanks for your answers people.😊
Great video! what would you recomend for engraving on different type of plastic computer keyboards as well as on laptop keyboards. A lot of manufacturers use different types of plastic and I have seen some excellent results with IR fiber engraving but on other manufacturers the results are barely visible.
Kudos for excellent presentation of the variety of lasers for home use! Can you suggest a 'best' choice for a fairly large gantry to cut single layer cotton fabric?
A CO2 laser will get you there. If you on a budget I'd check out OMTech or Monport. I wouldn't worry about the wattage as much since you won't need a ton. Look more at the bed size to make sure it will fit the size you need.
Thanks for the great info...really looking at the Thunder Bolt, and REALLY like the RF type laser in that unit because of its engraving detail (smaller beam width). But, maybe you could do a video on the difference between regular RF Tube and the Coherent RF Tube - is it worth the extra $2000 in the Bolt line? Thanks, Charlie in Central Ohio, but soon to be Central Florida !!
Hi! Great video! I have an Xtool S1 40w. It Works great. Now I was wondering to upgrade to an Xtool p2 but I’m afraid about the integrated water cooling sistem. Is it able to support 3-4 Hours of continuous Wood cutting? Thanks 😊
I haven’t tested it for that long but I would lean towards no. It does have a heat indicator so it would at least cut off if it got too hot. But if you are looking for something to work for extended amounts of time I would get a unit that has an external chiller hook up.
Wait before you decide because they're releasing P2S soon! The P2 can do 3-4 hours of continuous cutting but it depends on the temperature in your studio/workshop.
Have you happened to hear anything from Roly about swapable heads for mrk2? I thought they said they were going to be releasing an IR module but can't seem to find any info any more. Also, can't wait to hear about the 1 laser info
Atomstack has had a 70w out for 3 months now. And with co2 lasers are uou not supposed to run them at more than 80% power or risk damage where as a diode can run at 100% of its power ?
Please stop referring to the Xtool F1 as a fibre laser. It's an IR & visible light diode galvo machine. Xtool muddied the water by marketing it as a fibre, then wondered why people were annoyed by the misrepresentation. The F1 Ultra, however, *is* a fibre laser.
Wow! I must be missing something. I guess choosing to work in ministry must be the answer. How do people afford these machines. I’d love to use one of the entry level CO2 lasers but that’s expensive to me. Not even fathomable to get one of the large ones. Great video, very informative. I wasn’t going to watch the entire video but I did. Thank you.
It's like anything else that's too expensive to buy on impulse. Set aside a little money for your laser budget each month, and before long, it'll be enough.
I’m really leaning to the AtomStack x20 with extensions to do hat patches it’s faster than most and has a smaller dot size, I’m in the market if anyone has one !!!!
The xTool P2 and P2S can create a 3d model of the surface and then engrave, but it has to process it beforehand. The higher end CO2 machines you can have interchangeable lens with different focal distances. Some will keep the been in focus through a pretty wide range and can work for contoured materials.
After 3D printing for my wargaming hobby thinking "oh why not add a laser cutter for the hobby ,, for unit trays and such" opens this video "yeah you want atleast one of these and are about 1000-1500 dollars" ... well never mind i will stick to printing then.
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Great and informative video... One option you didn't cover with regard to desktop machines is the CO2 machines sourced from China, typically available on eBay. I went this route about 4yrs ago. Purchased a 12" x 20", 50W sealed tube CO2 machine for about $1200. It has many of the features of the more expensive domestically sourced (US made) machines. It's not quite as refined, but it does the job just fine. Worked for 30yrs in the industrial laser field and this machine, even though it's a lot cheaper, is every bit a "real" machine as the more expensive ones. Though I don't use it for "production work", it could... That said, not sure how long it'll last for with that kind of use, but for hobby users like me, it's the perfect low cost, nearly full featured machine. The only thing mine doesn't have is a chiller and auto focus. I use a large bin full of DI water that can be cooled by tossing in a few frozen bottles of bottled water. Though it doesn't have auto focus, it does have a manual Z-axis table feature and I use a dial indicator to set the height based off the material thickness used.
Again... Great and very informative video. Continue to be amazed at the scope and quantity of equipment available to hobbyists these days!
Would you be happy to share the brand and model?
Cheers from Oz
Somehow just liking and leaving a comment doesn't feel like an equal measure for the lessons I have learned watching it.
It's hard to talk about our feelings, but it is so important. Good for you Mark. Keep Making.
Thanks for that!
Mate, your videos are so snappy and concise but still full of some so much knowledge and information. It's a mark of S-tier quality.
Appreciate it!
23:54 I'm not sure if I'm more jealous of the amazing amount of lasers and other tools you have in this video, or just the amount of shop space you have available, lol
For real I realised an.omtech is best buck bit then the space
.. I don't have the space 🥹
The simple reason I would never ever consider a glow forge is because the software doesn’t run 100% locally I mean what kind of bullshit is that that you need an Internet connection depend on their servers to run it I mean that is so beyond messed up.
I was speaking to one of our suppliers about adding a laser to our shop and his recommendation was when it comes to fiber laser, anything below 8kW are just toys.
I love seeing someone who knows their stuff. Good job.
What a comprehensive guide! his video is truly invaluable for beginners like me. Thank you for the detailed insights! I have decided to choose the S1or F1 Ultra as my first laser machines.
I’m newer to laser engraving and I have a Snapmaker 2.0 with 1.6w diode, 40w diode, and soon a 1095 infrared. This is one of the best laser engraving orientation videos to show you what you can get and what it’s for I’ve seen. Subscribing.
Thanks !
After years of rebuilding imported laser systems like the Ship of Theseus, I went all in on Epilog and haven't looked back. Pricey, but reliable workhorses with great output. Really the number one factor I can't stress enough in business is reliability - especially during busy seasons & short deadline projects.
What’s there pricing like?
@@MyLegacyLaserStudio Epilogs can run from about $10,000 and 30 watts to over $30,000 and 120 watts, (they are high end commercial machines) I have a pair of Mini 24's and the oldest is 17 years old now and about 25,000 hours of running time, it rarely needs parts and when it does, Epilog has great support and fast shipping of those parts.
I would like to purchase a budget friendly, user-friendly software laser that can cut metal, wood,acrylic, and leather but also can engrave. This was a great video, and I'm somewhat a bit overwhelmed because you provide great info, but I'm new to this and would like to purchase a good quality laser that won't break the bank. Any advice would be appreciated.
That's the same question I had
I guess it depends what you consider "breaking the bank"
Based on reviews, the big concern for me is post sales support. It seems that all of them have issues with support to varying degrees; however, I would have went for an xtool but support reviews are horrible. I have some time since I'm holding out until black Friday.
Wondering what you end up getting , Black Friday sales is up but I’m concerned about post sales support too.
What about adding co2, diode, and IR to a large cnc router base, like 5’x9’ or bigger? Like a 6 in 1 or whatever. Besides needing to improve accuracy. What challenges do you foresee? Or do you have hindsight in this area you’d like to share?
The first step really is to decide what you want to cut/engrave and why - business or hobby/ side hustle? Bear in mind too that not all lasers are Mac compatible or Wifi enabled, which may be important. Size of what you may want to engrave is also very important for cost - do you need a rotary or riser?
I want a laser for just to cut leather patterns like wallets so all I will need to do is sow the wallets together or any leather projects like making kits so people can sow there own wallet thank you
1:43 you say fiber lasers are around 290nm which is incorrect - they are usually between 1000-2000nm, as indicated by the arrow on your graph.
Really appreciate the spreadsheet, it is a super helpful resource!
Is the xtool conveyer system the only system of its kind?
@29:05 The Atomstack M4 (original) is a 20W electrical input with a 5W laser diode output... The Atomstack M4 Pro is a dual 10W + 2W laser
I wish Xtool sales reps on the phone actually knew what they are talking about. Instead, you ask them a question, they have to flip through their 3 ring binder of facts to give you an answer. Grrrrrr. This makes me hesitant to buy from them.
they literally will tell u to buy accessories from another source rather than trying to help u with ur problems.. and as soon as they put a new product, the one they sold u as a whole package will suddenly wont have any stock for small parts or different accessories..
my closest location to buy in europe from them is their site from Bulgaria and for my D1 pro 2.0 i can find just a honeycomb
Great video sets. Amazing the amount of information you provide. Thanks! I do have a specific question... I want to "engrave" aluminum, not as you mentioned 'etch'. The aluminum will be engraved with characters for displaying outside to identify plants in a community garden. What would be the best type of laser? Based on what I have learned from the videos, I would assume either CO2 or Fiber. My budget is between $1000 and $2500. Thanks in advance.
Hi, love your videos, so helpful. Still having a hard time deciding what laser to buy. I know based on this video I need CO2 vs Diode but which CO2. I am looking to cut mostly acrylic, small pieces and maybe wood (cutting boards). Trying to figure out the best value, really do not have the budget for 7-8k. Any insights would be helpful?
Same here. Hesitate about the budget vs quality to be expected.
Looking at some 3K options like atomstack and GW ones, But not sure enoue to make a call.
Awesome video and I appreciate the dicussion being more to the point and less 'fluff' than other video reviewers. I am looking to purchase my first laser as a hobby maker and one critical element I want is to be able to engrave the inside of a ring(stainless, wood, tungsten, ceramic, antler), but I see very few videos on this. Due to the working proximity of the laser module to the material and having to 'tilt' the ring on a rotary, I don't have enough knowledge to choose which ones are compatible with this function. The 2 I have seen have some less desirable reviews from a customer service standpoint.(I would also like it to cut thin wood and engrave various materials, of course) Thank you for any expert advice you may have!
@japaneseDomestic I make rings in all the materials I have listed there. The majority are ceramic, tungsten and stainless. Engraving is the bulk and the I would like to cut thin wood to make ring and pen boxes for my items.
If you want a better machine you should start to focus how they build the gantry on high-end machines vs the cheaper ones.
Aeon are on the right direction with their gantry but for the most part all low and mid-end range feels that they are only focus on wattage and not the gantry and the chassi of the machine.
DC motors are also very nice to have.
The more stable the machine is the better results you will get
I own a scaffolding rental company. All of it is Aluminum. I'd like to engrave my logo & a barcode if possible, probably about 2 x 3 inches. We have long planks with large flat areas & 3" C channel to engrave on. Can you steer me towards a portable machine or at least one where I can clamp the engraver
to?
I have the new Atomstack 70 watt and it's a beast.
Great video. 6mo ago, I bought a 10w NEJE and it was affordable and so far it's been good for learning. I picked this one because it has a Z axis and I bought their Webcam. Once I become more proficient and can make some passive income from it, then I will upgrade to a CO2 laser.
What's the best bang for your buck when it comes to the latest mopa lasers?
Do you know which ones work well with cutting plexiglass?
Great video and great list. The only thing it was missing is Z axis work space and the ability to add a Rotary for glasses and tumblers and such. I know the We creat Vision does but do any other enclosed desktop diode lasers have that?
Just found this channel. My biggest issue with my glowforge I have is if I want even what I consider basic functions I have to pay for them. When I joined the kickstarter as an early bird I do not recall that being stated. I know I had access to them for about a year before I lost those to their subscription model. Needless to say it sits there collecting dust now which is sad.
What's the best laser to cut though rock and concrete?
Great video! Incredibly informative.
I recently bought a 40K diode laser (Sculpfun SF-A9), but found that the laser spot size was .4mm - .5mm, which for my purposes is basically unusable. The advertised spot size was .1mm - .15mm. In your experience, is this a common problem for higher-watt diode lasers, or did I just get a lemon?
.4 seems really really high. There might be an issue with focusing, if you move it up and down can you dial it in at all?
@@makeorbreakshop I agree, it felt very high to me as well!! I tested it at multiple focus depths from -3mm to +9mm from the recommended focus distance and saw little change (a tiny bit of improvement with longer distance before getting less focused again). I tested it on anodized aluminum as well to be sure I had crisp lines.
If your experience is generally better than .4mm for 40W diodes, then I guess I won't give up on diodes just yet. I'll assume that the machine I got was a fluke.
Sounds like you're either terribly out of focus or got a lemon indeed
As far as I know the 40W with smallest dot is S1 - the dot is the same size as typical for 20W.
We want to engrave cutting boards. What desktop machine would you recommend?
Always super helpful; bought an XTool F1 and love it but already see the need for more power as I do a lot of marking on metal. If I were to buy a 2nd machine, would you recommend the F1 Ultra or a standalone Fiber Laser? Thx!
If you only mark metal,I recommend you choosing the fiber laser machine.And UV laser marking machine can mark all materials,include metal,non-metal and PVC.
Hey 👋 great video. I was wondering how come Sculpfun never gets mentioned in your videos? In my environment those seem pretty common, and I think it's kinda cool that you can get a infrared module for the open gantry type Laser.
In any case, I'm really appreciating the info you put together here, since I'm in the market for a new diod laser this black Friday. Thanks and keep on going 😊
Great video.
I have an application that involves cutting plastic about .080” (2mm) thick.
The plastic is not flat, but has a contour.
What would you recommend?
Hi, congratulations for the video. I would like your advice! My son has an Atomstack x20pro, he would like to buy a more professional laser. You are a professional which do you recommend between xtools1 and Omntech 70w? Thanks!
Great info for someone new to this. I might be able to purchase a Thunder Nova 51. Any suggestions on what to consider for pricing? Run time and basic condition of the unit?
Great video, very informative. I've had 4 different lasers and wondered where you'd rank the FS Muse Titan laser compared to other CO2 lasers? Looking to upgrade or trade for another. Thanks!!!
Perfect timing and a great video! I've read that a diode can cut iron on vinyl just fine (PE only, PVC omits noxious fumes) which is all I use a blade for. Would you agree with that? I'd like to obtain a better laser for cutting and engraving 3-6mm? wood than invest in an M1 especially with the ultra out of the budget.
There are two types of heat transfer "vinyl" - one is the actual vinyl which is not safe to laser cut, and the second is the "laser safe vinyl" which is not vinyl at all but PE. That second one is indeed safe to cut with a laser, so you can safely pick something cheaper than M1 Ultra from the desktop diode category.
Do any of these cut through stainless steel
As always, you answer so many questions I have. I still very interested into a fiber laser, powerful, but with limited budget. Love the F1 Ultra but will like the same power with lower budget ;)
We got the Thunder Bolt, and couldn't be happier. Our old non-working Glowforge is unplugged and out of commission.
You are the thumbnail
I'd question which machines are class 4 and which class 1. I'd also question which are truely CE marked or just have a CE stamp on them. So many coming out of China are claiming standards they just do not achieve. I'd also question which ones have been tested electrically. (full stop). This year I've seen two that would never have passed electrical or laser safety standards. So beware.
The Thunder Bolt Pro,series are 2000mm/s
Great, in depth video!! Quick question: the fiber laser module that you can add to the xtool S1, what is that in watts? Is it the power of the F1 or 20 watts like the F1 Ultra? Just wondering which laser to get next. I have the F1; I'll be looking to upgrade sometime in the next few months. Also, do you think xtool is going to do an "Ultra" version of the S1 anytime soon?? 🤔☺ Thanks! -- New subscriber!
On the market for my first laser… unfortunately I want to do metal. Considering a Laserpecker 5 or break down and buy a Roly and MOPA fiber. Not cheap!
Look at the Xtool F1 ultra as well
I highly recommend the F1 Ultra
@@abbyhe4245 why?
Get a MOPA.
Hello, what would you recommend for engraving pigeon bands? Thank you.
Hello! Thanks for the great videos.
So, I have a $15k budget and could use some advice!
I want to purchase a couple machines that give me the largest selection of material I can work with. Right now I’m looking at the xTool P2S and F1 Ultra full bundles.
Enclosed machine with filtration along with pass through and rotary capability is a must!
I know there are tons of different companies just like to ask you if you had $15,000 what would you buy for what I am needing? Would it be xtool or a combination of something else!
I’d really appreciate your advice or anybody’s advice thank you!
i understand the diferences between that 3 tyoes of laser, but co2 its too expensive for me to start whit it, and fiber it like a on trick pony and is not cheap either so i will start whit a diode 20w becouse i have to see if i can make some money whit it befor decide to go up in my investment, nice video!
What machine would you recommend for engraving jewelry, including rings?
i think i can give a answer to that.
If you are engraving jewelry i would go for a fiber marker and atleast 30-50w with a quality laser source like JPT or Raycus.
The metall you will be engraving is highly reflective and then you need power.
I have been running a JPT tube hard since 2013 and the machine never gives up.
If you´re into jewelry consider buying a laser welder with a microscope if you want to produce and not only engrave :)
Hi thanks for the video. Do you have recommendation about laser engraver to cut an A5 magnet paper (about 0.4mm thickness) ?
something pretty compact, safe and cost effective.....
Love your channel. Such great info for us beginners. Thanks!
I want to do detailed engraving on 8-9 ounce vegetable tanned leather. All pieces would be pre-cut and smaller than 7 x 10 inches. Not a production shop, just 50 or so items per year. Could you please recommend some lasers that would do the job?
Curious as to why you don't include ComMarker machines? I've noted there are only a handful of videos about the ComMarker Omni 1 UV laser engraver so far. Is the company difficult to deal with? Anyone else have any experiences with them?
hey man watched your video its great , i m just confused little bit i want to buy an paper laser cutting (techinically colour chart 80 gsm paper) which one should i prefer like low budget
Can all the lasers you mentioned in the video also do laser cutting?
yep
Love your video and charts. Is there a way I can export the comparison chart to excel so I can keep for future reference? Thanks!
Hi to all here on this channel. I'm a beginner in this field but curious about what those lasers can do.... anyone knows about engraving on motorcycle helmets or motorbikes "bodies" (fairings) which are mostly made of carbon fibre, fibreglass or polycarbonate....those products as you probably know or can suppose are not flat and not small.....what type and what minimum power of laser (machine) should I use to do engraving on?
Thanks for your answers people.😊
perfectly timed video. will be getting a laser at some point
Do it!
hey man, i am curuous what are your thoughts on the new kickstarter project Tyvok Spider S1
Whats the typical kerf of each type you've outlined?
What would be the minimum watt fiber laser to cut brass? Like, a sealing wax seal? I guess it would be considered a deep engraving?
if you want to deep engrave, you should need one CO2 laser engraving machine
@@Arguslaser-daisy2024 so, not fiber then? It isn't too deep, but it is deeper than etching
I thought that only fiber lasers could engrave on brass.
Great video! what would you recomend for engraving on different type of plastic computer keyboards as well as on laptop keyboards. A lot of manufacturers use different types of plastic and I have seen some excellent results with IR fiber engraving but on other manufacturers the results are barely visible.
For consistent results, you'll need UV.
Kudos for excellent presentation of the variety of lasers for home use! Can you suggest a 'best' choice for a fairly large gantry to cut single layer cotton fabric?
I would love to know as well. I’m cutting a lot of fabric for appliqué for embroidery
A CO2 laser will get you there. If you on a budget I'd check out OMTech or Monport. I wouldn't worry about the wattage as much since you won't need a ton. Look more at the bed size to make sure it will fit the size you need.
But if you want "Best", I'd go with something like the Thunder Nova series.
Thanks for the great info...really looking at the Thunder Bolt, and REALLY like the RF type laser in that unit because of its engraving detail (smaller beam width). But, maybe you could do a video on the difference between regular RF Tube and the Coherent RF Tube - is it worth the extra $2000 in the Bolt line? Thanks, Charlie in Central Ohio, but soon to be Central Florida !!
Hi! Great video! I have an Xtool S1 40w. It Works great. Now I was wondering to upgrade to an Xtool p2 but I’m afraid about the integrated water cooling sistem. Is it able to support 3-4 Hours of continuous Wood cutting? Thanks 😊
I haven’t tested it for that long but I would lean towards no. It does have a heat indicator so it would at least cut off if it got too hot. But if you are looking for something to work for extended amounts of time I would get a unit that has an external chiller hook up.
@@makeorbreakshop Thank you. A Machine with an external chiller may be the best choice for me
Don't worry, P2 is capable of supporting long-duration continuous wood cutting.
Wait before you decide because they're releasing P2S soon!
The P2 can do 3-4 hours of continuous cutting but it depends on the temperature in your studio/workshop.
Buy a CO2 laser cutter and an individual LED laser head Strap the LED laser head to the 'flying' laser gantry - you get both, CO2 and LED if needed.
Aren't diode lasers typically rated in input power, where co2 is rated in optical output power, or is that a myth I've heard?
I just need a 4MW pulse laser which is water proof and compatible with a Shark harness.
Very nice video. Thanks for all the information. You definitely know your stuff.
Have you happened to hear anything from Roly about swapable heads for mrk2? I thought they said they were going to be releasing an IR module but can't seem to find any info any more.
Also, can't wait to hear about the 1 laser info
Does it work on hockey pucks?
Hi i nees to buy laser for metal and plastic parts, which lasers to use ? Bike parts and electric parts of an ebike
Atomstack has had a 70w out for 3 months now. And with co2 lasers are uou not supposed to run them at more than 80% power or risk damage where as a diode can run at 100% of its power ?
Please stop referring to the Xtool F1 as a fibre laser. It's an IR & visible light diode galvo machine. Xtool muddied the water by marketing it as a fibre, then wondered why people were annoyed by the misrepresentation.
The F1 Ultra, however, *is* a fibre laser.
What has the longest life, co2 or rf tubes? Thanks
RF
@@makeorbreakshop thanks
Make or Break Shop, nice content I loved it
Seriously. It's alternate universe linus from linus tech tips xD
Wow! I must be missing something. I guess choosing to work in ministry must be the answer.
How do people afford these machines. I’d love to use one of the entry level CO2 lasers but that’s expensive to me. Not even fathomable to get one of the large ones.
Great video, very informative. I wasn’t going to watch the entire video but I did. Thank you.
It's like anything else that's too expensive to buy on impulse. Set aside a little money for your laser budget each month, and before long, it'll be enough.
@ That’s what I’m saying. I don’t have money to set aside. 😂
@@Viewfinderpd I feel you.
Thank you
I’m really leaning to the AtomStack x20 with extensions to do hat patches it’s faster than most and has a smaller dot size, I’m in the market if anyone has one !!!!
great video, really well done. Appreciated!
One other category is the CO2 Galvo, also UV Fiber just muddy it up some more, lol
I’m looking for a laser cutter that will cut fabric letters. I use a cricut maker right now and need something faster.
maybe i can help you , if you want faster, you can think about the Dynamic laser marking machine
Please focus on Open Source Solutions!
What about UV lasers?
At the very beginning of the video, he said hasn't been able to get one to review yet.
Do any of the desktop diode laser tools have some sort of z-axis with a dynamic focus so they could process contoured materials?
The xTool P2 and P2S can create a 3d model of the surface and then engrave, but it has to process it beforehand. The higher end CO2 machines you can have interchangeable lens with different focal distances. Some will keep the been in focus through a pretty wide range and can work for contoured materials.
Neje Max 4 👍
Really enjoyed your video, but ya might want to cut back a little on the java.
Another hit out of the park Brandon! Great job
Thanks!
After 3D printing for my wargaming hobby thinking "oh why not add a laser cutter for the hobby ,, for unit trays and such" opens this video "yeah you want atleast one of these and are about 1000-1500 dollars" ... well never mind i will stick to printing then.
ikier has a 70w diode laser, which is the output
Yep just haven’t tested it out yet
A six inch duct and in-line duct fan will suck out all the fumes from an open laser.
Wish I had seen your videos sooner. Last year I bought the xtool S1, I hate it. Over all poor functionality.
Color metals please!!!
oh those are fun! Fiber machines are the way to go for those though.
I wondering what One Laser can offer to the market.
High quality components at a good price.
@@makeorbreakshop Looking forward to it !!!! I will wait to see
I would be curious to know your thoughts on the SwiftShape machine.
*almost the bluest light possible*
"Its actually pretty purple!"
ha true, that's probably more the color grading on the video. Real life its more purple.
I like atomstack
0:12 - NOT a tanning bed...
Haha nope
take it a little easier man!
why OMT TECH doent make a. nice desktop laser like 600x900
That would be an awesome size
Because that wouldn't fit on a desk.
@@YaaLFH for sure its about getting this thing inside the room.. and out it on a bigger table.. its easy to find a table for that