Deep Cleaning the M1 and a look at xTool's New Material Pins

[@aliciaborden7522]

Thank you for this video! I am so happy you took your time and did this video and did not edit out the issue with getting the ribbon back in there. I appreciate all of your helpful tip videos using this laser.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Pa_Dave]

You make great videos, explain plainly, and don't over-talk, like most youtube people. thank you

[@Pa_Dave]

anything on cleaning the honeycomb?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

I appreciate the kind words! I always feel like i talk too much and try to shorten them if/when i can.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

On the cleaning question, check out my Short video about cleaning the slats on the P2. The concept works the same on a honeycomb. Spray, Soak, Rinse, Repeat if necessary. kzbin.infoq4qJNSHrmuE

[@TheeElfinlight]

Wish I'd seen this last month when I need to clean mine. Looked never saw a good video for it. Thank you. Wish the KZbin algorithms were better and saved me nearly screwing my machine up.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Same here! BUT, I am glad you finally found it! Glad it helped too.

[@fnoigy]

Most excellent. I like how XTool's program says "it's time to clean! Find out more!" And then takes you to a blank page

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad you found this useful. I think that link it goes to might be an old link that is why its blank. Also, that message is based on a timer, not a sensor so if you do lots of messy cutting with wood/mdf/etc, you will want to clean more often than you see that message.

[@fnoigy]

@MonkeyWoodworks i also found out that I was on version 1.4 or something, and now they're up to 2.6

[@mustangnmule12]

Great video Michael. I am a bit hesitant to clean the laser head, but grateful we have this video to know what to do! THANK YOU so much! Very informative and clear! Greatly appreciate ALL your videos! :D

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Your welcome. Good Luck!

[@susankarnesky2497]

Thank you for making this video! I’m feeling a bit more confident about cleaning my M1 now. I’m a newbie laser user, and am just happy that I didn’t panic when I got a dreaded Y-Axis error. I particularly appreciate that you verbally described the process as you went along. Someone else who did a deep cleaning video had NO verbal description. I found his video a little helpful, but not a great confidence booster for a new user. Thanks again!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisamiller4742]

Thank you once again for a great step by step video. I will be attempting to clean my M1 later today. I am so happy I found your videos 😊

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad it helped! Good luck!

[@raylivingston7652]

Thank you so very much for your tutorial video. I greatly appreciate it. Use it regularly when cleaning so I make sure that I don’t forget anything. Again Thanks!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are very welcome! I'm glad you found it useful.

[@fionafaulkner-cox7728]

Thank you, great instructions and camera angles. Appreciated.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Thank you. It was my first time wearing a GoPro on my chest. I noticed I moved around too much lol!

[@tonih941]

I'm so glad I found your video, it's been very helpful so thank you!. I'm pretty new still to lasering and have only done two projects so far. But I got a warning to clean my laser head at the end of engraving four acacia wood coasters. I just got the honeycomb plate and the pins so the vinegar tip is appreciated because I've hear people in the Facebook group complain about how hard they are to clean.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad you found the video helpful! For the honeycomb, check out Dawn Powerwash spray. You can spray that stuff on your honeycomb, let it sit for a bit, spray it with a hose and repeat as necessary. That powerwash does a great job at breaking down the oils and soot allowing you to just rinse most of it off.

[@pamelagreene9417]

Great video! I just got my M1 yesterday and am a little nervous about cleaning because it involves some taking apart but I know I’ll have to do it at some point. Your video has helped me feel more confident about cleaning it when the time comes. Thank you so much! And thanks for showing the material pins. I think I need to get those.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad it was helpful and you are welcome! Remember, the pins are great as long as your honeycomb is magnetic.

[@pamelagreene9417]

@@MonkeyWoodworks thanks for that reminder! 👍🏽

[@britt_bh2021]

Thank you so much I learn so much every time I watch your videos

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are welcome!

[@PhilAndersonShadyAcresWoodshop]

Excellent video, Michael! You have a great way of explaining each step in this cleaning process and, you do that in your other videos, too. I'm a recent subscriber and look forward to more of your informative, easy to watch, videos. 😊 Phil

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Thank you so much for the kind words and your support.

[@andyanand9459]

Once again, Thank you ever so much for a useful tutorial. I would love to see creative projects using various acrylics since you're an expert and I highly admire your tutorials.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Thanks for the kind words. I am definitely not an expert but love sharing what I know. So far, I have only dabbled in acrylics using the black for earrings. I need to expand more into that world and get some more colors!

[@ube1kenobi]

Finally got to clean my M1 and YES thank you so much!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sherig59]

Thanks for the video. It was a lot of help.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are welcome. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@arizonaheatwave4080]

Extremely helpful, Michael Thank you! Look forward to more M1 projects I think I need to clean the laser, I printed your materials setting sheets and mine will not cut 5mm plywood from HD. I did it once early on and it cut beautifully and now not so good! Off to clean it, thanks again!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are welcome! 5mm plywood from HD is tough to cut. Triple check your focus. Turn on air assist (if you have it). If not, get it! It's super helpful getting clean cuts. Cleaning the lens. You can also try over focusing your laser so that the focal point is inside the material by a mm or two. Check out my document (I think it is on the MISC tab, for instructions on how to do it)

[@arizonaheatwave4080]

I did a full clean on the machine, laser was actually pretty clean nothing really came off and I set it for 6.5mm so I’m not sure what’s happening and when it go 100% speed 2 it’ll cut most of the shape but it really charred the outside. I did it once when I first got the machine and it cut amazingly good on the same shape but I’ll be damned if I can duplicate the cut, should’ve written down the setting 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Make sure your not over focusing the wrong direction. If you are measuring distance you want to add a number. if you are measuring thickness , you want to subtract.

[@jayceechandler4905]

Thank you so much my top fan really needs a cleaning and this video was extremely helpful

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are very welcome!

[@TYJ419]

Hi Michael and thanks for the clear and great instructions! I purchased the riser base combo and loving those pins. Tracey

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are welcome! The pins seem really nice. I am looking forward to using them in the near future.

[@terry-annemcphail921]

Great video, your clear instructions helped a lot.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Thank you very much. Glad you found it useful

[@jessica93612]

Very easy to follow along! Thank you!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad it helped!

[@petramoller4223]

Thanks a lot. Great work. Greetings from Germany 😊

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Greetings! Glad you found this useful. :)

[@wspears1]

Great video Michael! Now I’m a bit more ready to open the laser head and clean it up!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You got this!

[@einerlopez26]

As always thank you! all your videos are very helpful. Thank you!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are very welcome!

[@robinbeyer3852]

Video was helpful I just have a problem with the air assist hose moving and the hose don't let the head move how do u keep it from moving?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Two things: Lock down the hose at the laser head so it doesnt slip down. Mine is glued because I accidentally broke my white clip that attaches to the laser head. A trick people do is use a small binder clip and clip the hose just above the white clip. It will prevent the hose from slipping down. The other is make sure the hose is twisted in a way so that it naturally wants to go upward and slightly toward the front. Check out my xTool air assist hose routing video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmXQmYeGl62GmKM

[@merrileewayment6311]

Thank you for the cleaning video it was very informative

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are welcome!

[@newleafcreations]

This was SO helpful! Thank you!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad to hear it! You are welcome.

[@pamnicholson8420]

thank you for this video. you saved me!!!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad I could help!

[@tiffany3551]

Thanks for the great video! What are your thoughts on canned air to blast out debris? I’d really love to see a video on engraving rubber!! I have a piece but have yet to mess with it

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Canned air works ok. I use my compressor on VERY low just because I have one handy. That is handy to keep the build-up down but you still need to get in there and clean it now and then. I have never tried making a rubber stamp. I hear it take a long time to make but the results come out great.

[@elcarmen1970]

Mr. Michael, thanks so much for showing us how to clean the M1. I saw somewhere in the xtool Facebook group, someone suggested using an air spray to clean the parts you cleaned with alcohol. What would you say about using the air spray use? I ordered and it arrived, however I am concerned it may cause damage. Thanks

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

I have used air as well from time to time. If your going to use air, do not blow 150 psi at it or anything. I think a low power air such as canned air or a similar psi setting will work. You do need to open it up now and then to wipe it down.

[@AndreaMilender]

Great video ! I tried all of this and still getting the Q14-3 z-axis error code. Do you know anything that would help that?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Try cleaning the little groove of the sensors with a toothpick and gently scrape out any gunk. Be gentle doing it. Also, maybe some compressed air in the sensor?

[@sassylady1959]

Thanks a bunch for your video - and your time! I have my M1 for about 5 months now and it was VERY nessasary to clean it! I just couldn‘t find the 3rd horseshoe to clean. I removed, the best I could, the fan and the board underneath, but couldn‘t find the horseshoe. Is ist hidden somewhere else?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

There are three. One you can get to with the machine flipped over at the back left (looking at it while upside-down). The other two are inside the laser head under the fan. One on top of the small motherboard and one under it. The one under it may not look like a horseshoe because xTool started wrapping it in plastic to protect it more from dust however it is still U shaped and can be cleaned.

[@chrisakers5094]

Micheal, do you know the size of the fan you are cleaning in this video?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Sorry, I do not know it.

[@Dragontrap]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are welcome!

[@jeremyheffell2171]

Very helpful video but I was hoping for a video on cleaning the other axis. I Having some issues with travel. I have 460 hours of cutting time on my machine

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

If you need to clean the x-axis, its easy to get to. The y-axis will need some disassembly to clean it unfortunately.

[@DerekDarcy]

good job. thanks

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are very welcome!

[@rich971]

thankyou , just got the M1 . how oftern would you do a deep clean ?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

It really depends on how much you use it and what you use it for. I do a light cleaning and lens cleaning often but have only done a deep cleaning 2 to 3 times since April 2022.

[@rich971]

@@MonkeyWoodworks well thankyou for taking the time do this , I have been cutting 3.6 mm ply in the uk and thought i would have a clean , it needed it that for sure only had the M1 3 weeks !! thankyou for takeing the time to make the video , love the channel by the way :) well maybe the word love is a bit strong , enjoy to watching might be a better way to put it :)

[@kimberlyjasso8185]

Thank you for your videos! How often do i need to do this deep of a clean?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

It really depends on how much you use it and what you use it for. I do a light cleaning and lens cleaning often but have only done a deep cleaning 2 to 3 times since April 2022.

[@jenniferramirez1636]

Have you had an issues with it not aligning after a simple clean?? Mine is not cutting where i set it at. Paper and laser

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

So far, I have not. Do you have an air assist? If so, perhaps the air assist nozzle is no longer sitting flat against the laser module and is partially blocking some of the laser? You may want to also take a good look at your lens. Perhaps it is still dirty or has a smudge on it now. Try using a lens cleaning cloth wrapped around a qtip to clean the lens.

[@robinbeyer3852]

How do u keep ur black hose from air assist from moving

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Moving which way? If you mean dropping down, you can use a small binder clip on the hose just above the white clip attached to the laser head. It will keep it from slipping downward.

[@robinbeyer3852]

When it starts to frame or laser or cut sometimes it stops and grinds because the hose has slipped so its to short and don't let it move so when I adjust the hose it is ok

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Lock down the hose at the laser head so it doesn't slip down. Mine is glued because I accidentally broke my white clip that attaches to the laser head. The binder clip attached just above the white bracket will prevent the hose from slipping down. The other thing is make sure the hose is twisted in a way so that it naturally wants to go upward and slightly toward the front. Check out my xTool air assist hose routing video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmXQmYeGl62GmKM

[@lauraroeder4761]

Great video!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ginamariegarcia9461]

I love your videos

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@kimwurschmidt1095]

Well done…..I feel confident in cleaning my machine.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Glad it was helpful. Good luck!

[@wendykorz192]

Very helpful video! Thank you for making this. Do you clean the honeycomb, if yes, how?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Thank you. I have not cleaned the actual honeycomb yet. I have my ideas on how to do it but do not want to suggest them until I try them myself. Once I do and I find out if they work, I will let you know!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Apparently many users state that they have good luck with Dawn Platnum Powerwash. They spray it on, wait a while then rinse it off.

[@wendykorz192]

@@MonkeyWoodworks thank you for the update. I will have to give it a try.

[@jenniferwilliams4398]

What is the best way to clean to honeycomb

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Pull it out of your engraver, find a safe place, spray/soak it with dawn powerwash (or oven cleaner), let it soak 5 to 10 min, spray off with a hose. Repeat if needed.

[@tynelson7945]

What is the tiny lense below the horse shoe sensor in the corner?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Hmm. I am not sure. Do I show it in this video? If so, do you know about what timestamp you see it?

[@tynelson7945]

No you don’t

[@tynelson7945]

It’s below the horse shoe sensor below the ribbon. You can see it when machine is upside down

[@flslowryder]

I just did this, but noted my z axis sensor isn't a u shape, it's a solid rectangle. I wiped the bottom of it off, but am now confused. Is it a different type of sensor?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Strange! Maybe you have a newer model? Mine is from April 2022ish.

[@elladorr]

How often do you recommend deep cleaning?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

It really depends on how much you use it and what you use it for. I do a light cleaning and lens cleaning often but have only done a deep cleaning 2 to 3 times since April 2022.

[@abesalah3190]

thanks mike as always such a great help and we can use wd40 to lube the areas that we need for some reason im hearing squeaking idk if thats a good thing or bad thing

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

I haven't tried wd40 yet. I have used a light grease and I have used 3n1 oil so far.

[@philleffel4327]

Where did you say you bought your honeycomb at?

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

It is made by Comgrow and is not used with the M1. It is for my other laser.

[@elenamontenz6115]

SAlve, nonostante non capisca una parola di inglese con la traduzione di google mi sto aiutando perchè lei è bravissimo a spiegare. Ma è possibile che dopo 4 tagli (ho appena acquistato la M1) già mi chiede di pulire il laser? io ho paura di fare danni e istruzioni in Italiano non esistono... Aiuto!!

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

The clean message is on a timer. It does not have a way to detect if your machine is dirty or not. If you know your machine is clean, you can ignore the message.

[@elenamontenz6115]

@@MonkeyWoodworks grazie molto gentile

[@isabelmanceau8665]

Merci beaucoup.

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

You are welcome

[@susanolsen194]

anddddddd I just realized I put my fan in backward lol

[@MonkeyWoodworks]

Oh no! I marked the screw holes of my fan with a silver sharpie to prevent that.

[@Pa_Dave]

i think i did same with my exhaust fan, can't find a video to confirm though