Laser etch your tools! With the Xtool IR laser!

[@dennisbronzert5915]

Very cool. I'm retired now wish I had that when I was working

[@sparky_murph]

This is sweet, thanks Dan, now I can mark my tools, so others don’t clam it is theirs.

[@dansproshop]

Absolutely!!

[@BeenThrDunThat]

Looks great. Nice addition to their kit

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday Dan, I’m bloody impressed to be honest, I’ve done a fair bit of electro etching using salt water and had great results but this is really next level, thanks mate

[@dansproshop]

Hey Matty!! Thanks so much for stopping by. This thing is super handy to have around in the shop. Endless uses!!

[@MattysWorkshop]

@@dansproshop you got bloody thinking now mate,

[@dansproshop]

@@MattysWorkshop I know you’re a crafty fella. I’m sure you could think of a million things to use this for. They also offer a kit to make the Z axis auto and even a camera system that the light burn software can monitor during the burn.

[@MattysWorkshop]

@@dansproshop only issue is I use an apple computer, last I looked a while ago light burn only worked on PC, don’t think the cook will be to impressed if I buy another computer as well 😂

[@dansproshop]

@@MattysWorkshop light burn version 1.5 or greater is supported on windows and Mac. Check out the link. lightburnsoftware.com/pages/download-trial

[@the_edge_of_time]

Just in time for Christmas! Thanks Dan.

[@dansproshop]

Absolutely! Make sure you get em while they last!

[@the_edge_of_time]

@@dansproshop Amazon is out of the IR modules. But there is a nice $170 coupon on the kit itself.

[@cainortega6766]

@@the_edge_of_timethey are back on sale rn 479

[@charleslamont2963]

The IR head looks great. The leg extensions are just OK. If you have to go back and forth a lot with different height requirements, they are a hassle. Plans (diy) for a riser / lift are available and would make height adjustments so much more of a breeze.

[@dansproshop]

They have an auto Z adjustment for the head. I just don’t have one

[@ainttakenanyshit]

The only "plan" you need to build your own risers is to figure out how many square pieces of 2x4's you need to cut/stack/glue together for the height you require. On each bottom piece of the four stacks of three I glued, I placed four THIN pieces of sticky back silicone "pad" on the bottom and when placed on a clean surface, there is absolutely NO movement/skidding of the 2x4 risers.... Solid as a rock.... Total cost -

[@saneauto]

How do you laser big size markings on sockets, for those of us OG's who cant see anymore?

[@murlock666]

Dan. Please, Please. Do NOT! I Repeat. DO NOT, use that thing without the correct safety glasses and a fume hood. That thing will blind you before you can blink and some materials will make the air around you poisonous. Look at some of the laser safety vids here on YT. I don't mean to come across as an ass. But they are no joke and are sold without any safety features or enclosures. Just wanna keep you and yours safe so we can have more Pro shop tips. Peace.

[@dansproshop]

Thank you so much! I do appreciate these things for what they are. Practically a welding arc

[@murlock666]

@@dansproshop Yup and the light bounces like crazy off a shiny surface like a spanner. You want that thing in a laser proof enclosure. Also keep the kids out of the room when its running. Look after yourself and those around you buddy :) Thanks for all the tips. keep em coming. Glad I could pass one back to someone I consider far smarter than I am :)

[@dansproshop]

@@murlock666naahhh. I’m no smarter than you. Just maybe spent more time doing different things. It’s people like us working together that get things done!

[@murlock666]

Amen to that! @@dansproshop

[@chammockutube]

I don’t know if it’s the most dangerous form of chromium (hexavalent chromium), but lasering tools definitely sublimates the chromium (i.e. a solid material becomes a gas) when marking/etching/engraving. I plan to also do this to my tools also (as they tend to “walk”too 😂) with my xTool F1’s 2 watt IR laser, but you might consider an enclosure/exhaust system and then pass it through a charcoal/HEPA filter, and then to the exterior, beyond everyone’s normal breathing zone. The OSHA PEL for chromium IV is only 5 millionths of a gram/cubic meter, so it’s pretty wicked stuff. Just a thought.

[@kenedwards8876]

Pretty cool tool, can't wait to see what else you laser etch, what's the ice fishing like up in your neck of the woods?

[@dansproshop]

I’m really close to Erie and Lake Michigan. So we get a solid 3 months on ice up here. Muskie, steel head, trout, bass. And the rivers are always full of catfish in the summer!!

[@kenedwards8876]

@@dansproshop I've had the ice season itch for about a month already, can't get frozen soon enough,

[@paulmassey1089]

Getting that IR laser to focus tho.....sheeeeeesh!!!!

[@dansproshop]

I agree. It can be tricky

[@ainttakenanyshit]

FYI.... With any laser you use, I have found that you need to not take for granted the focus obtained with a "focus leg", focus block, etc.. You need to perform a "Ramp Test" or similar, that tests for THE best focal point of your particular laser. By burning a line at a "zero" reference - where the laser head shield is just touching the test material at a raised height greater than normal, then the test material angling downward to the surface of your laser bed, (a slope of about 30 degrees works well), you can then measure the height of where a SINGLE burn line is the THINNEST.... My Longer B1 30 watt laser's measuring stub set about a 5MM height above the material to burn. This is most likely done to have the tightest beam profile several MM lower that the material's surface to provide a good burn through thicker material. BUT, for surface etching you want the tightest beam focus at the material's surface. This holds true for the blue and IR lasers to give you the best "engraving". If you are not familiar with the "ramp test", YT is your friend.... As mentioned, the bit lower focal point will perform better for cutting through a thicker wood with the tightest focus being at about 1/3 rd down from the top of the wood's surface.... A "top/surface focus will not be optimal for cutting wood. P.S. Using two black anodized business cards connected lengthwise with a tine drop of super glue, will give the best indication of where the burn line is the THINNEST... Measure this height and WRITE IT DOWN for future engraving jobs....

[@paulmassey1089]

@@ainttakenanyshit I should've been clearer. I can get it to focus just fine. But if you aren't doing a completely flat and level surface, the Xtool IR is just awful. I did spin a socket on the rotary and it turned out good. But flat items are tough to get perfectly level and an even burn...larger projects are even worse I would think. Shoulda saved my money and bought a Commarker B4.

[@JosephBegley-gf5rn]

Hi there, I am wanting to get a photograph engraved on stainless steel using the X-tool S1 with the 2w IR laser. I am based in the UK and wondering if you are able to do this? if so please reach out to discuss further. Many thanks, Joe

[@chrome72]

thinking about buying one for engraving watch case backs. do you center the object where the laser WILL be, or do you center the laser to where your OBJECT will be? I guess im really asking is it possible to get a consistent centering of the laser on an object

[@dansproshop]

Yes it is. And you can do either. I recommend making a fixture of some kind if you plan on doing repeat items. It really helps

[@chrome72]

That’s great. Do you think it would work well to remove white paint selectively from a shiny brass dial? That would be the dial I am looking to make. The focal apt is .03x.03 mm so it sounds like the details would come out well

[@dansproshop]

@@chrome72 yes it does work for that. Just play with the intensity and you can adjust the depth of the etch

[@rond3026]

Good choice in beer!! Don't get it here in AK!!

[@kriskass2670]

Did you ever weld any tools to your bench?

[@__--JY-Moe--__]

will U try a borax & water wash on your metal, before U etch them?

[@yaad2226]

how much did ya buy it for full detail plz