40W Laser | Eye-Safe Enclosure | Autofocus | Curved Surface Engraving | Conveyor?!- xTool S1 Review

[@HoffmanEngineering]

Let me know what you think about the S1 down below! What are your favorite features, what features do you think its missing? And be sure to checkout xTool's early-bird specials for the S1 running for the next few days.

[@norm5785]

Good video. Definately, it does a good job cutting and engraving various materials. Xtool has placed a very large amount of financial backing for this machine to be advertised. Thank you for sharing this machine. Everyone stay safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia.

[@HoffmanEngineering]

Cheers, you too!

[@ChadsCustomCreations]

Great review Christopher!

[@lordmorphous]

Nice video. Great way to run through the features without getting in the weeds on BS.

[@HoffmanEngineering]

Thanks! I tried to condense it as much as I could, but there was still a lot to talk about.

[@Chequr_Prostate]

I purchased because I wanted a conveyor system. Now I find out they do not support this in the UK, the riser is also built differently I believe so you can not even import one, unless you import both items. I would also like to see the ability to to do multiple two position frames. This would allow you to engrave multiple small items.

[@HoffmanEngineering]

That is very good to know about us vs UK differences. I wonder if it is due to different uk/European laser safety certification laws. Looks like the UK version doesn't have the conveyor pass through. I'm guessing the laser class 1 certification for the enclosure wouldn't pass with the conveyor slot in the riser in non-US. I've heard that they are working on adding multi-point positioning for more complex shapes, so maybe that would help with multiple small objects.

[@patrickpelletier6664]

I can understand wanting multiple multi points, that would be convenient. I think the next best option is just to make a jig and align it so you can just position off of that.

[@bleumeanyontherampage2136]

What is the bed size of the machine? Not the working area of the machine. I engrave 15"x15" concrete, wondering if this will fit in this machine.

[@HoffmanEngineering]

I just measured it. The flat part of the bed (shown at [3:50]) is 15 and (1/8)" by 24". So 15"x15" would just fit, but only by an 1/8th of an inch.

[@mtz3843]

can this machine do 3d or 2.5d engraving, plus the laser does alot of heat and the system is run on belts meaning the belts might stretch from the heat, is there a way to fix that or are they going to fix that?

[@HoffmanEngineering]

I don't believe the heat will be an issue with the belts. There is plenty of cooling with the exhaust fans, and hopefully there are no open flames to really radiate heat. As for 3 or 2.5d engraving, it depends on what you mean. It can follow curved surfaces to engrave consistently on them, so that would be 2.5d engraving. But as for craving away material in a 2.5d manner, than this laser isn't really designed for that. I think you could do that with lightburn, but it would be a slower process.

[@mtz3843]

@@HoffmanEngineering thankyou, i am looking at xtool or wecreat, trying to decide

[@RyanMahoney1]

Hi I was wondering if you had the Xtool p2 also and if you do how does it compare? Have been thinking about getting the p2 for a while now but now they have the s1 and don’t know what to get.

[@HoffmanEngineering]

Unfortunately I do not have first hand experience with the P2. I think the main question is what materials do you see yourself wanting to cut. If you want to cut clear acrylics and glass, then the CO2 laser of the P2 would be your best bet. But if you don't need clear acrylics, then the S1 could meet your needs and save you a few grand. The P2 is still more powerful, but the 40W S1 seems to be not far behind.

[@RyanMahoney1]

Thank you for the information. I’ll definitely take the s1 into consideration. Not really sure what I’m looking to do with a laser. I would assume mostly wood.

[@lightspeedlaserengraving6048]

I’m scared to buy the S1 because as soon as I do they’ll introduce the S2

[@anonymousmc7727]

Tru dat😊

[@unclerichard6729]

I get excited about these vids for new lasers until I see the ridiculous price tag. If I'm going to spend that much money for a laser it's going to be for a much more capable, large capacity, co2 laser.

[@HoffmanEngineering]

That's the curious thing about these more powerful diodes. I'm cutting at the same speed with the 40W diode that I did on my K40 40W CO2. But that's because with the CO2 I was only at 30% power to preserve tube life. But these diode lasers should have a much longer working life than a CO2 tube. And not needing a water chiller is also a plus. Once you start taking 2.5k prices though, that does bring it out of the K40 comparison range and into larger CO2 laser ranges.