Why is xTool so Popular - The P2S Desktop Laser Review

[@makeorbreakshop]

CORRECTION: There is a red laser beam used for alignment! It isn’t always on (like other machines I’ve used) it only switches on at certain points of the alignment process. The walkthrough is still super handy and it’s great that you can use the red dot along with the actual laser beam beam for alignment!

[@matchstickdesignco]

"Why is xTool so popular?" It might have something to do with the fact that they've sent free lasers to just about anybody with a KZbin channel. 😂

[@InTheDogHouse007]

I'm sticking with my Atomstack pre-order for my first CO2 laser. The PS2 has some nice features, but for the lower price, red dot alignment & full Lightburn support is my main reason (the PS2 & S in Lightburn doesn't support camera or auto-focus). The pull-out fan is handy but probably easy to swap on Hurricane and won't be often. The simple filter on the PS2 was a nice touch but will probably look at adding some strip magnets and fan mesh to the Atomstack for the same effect when it arrives.

[@makeorbreakshop]

Do it!

[@briannajazmin7144]

I’m cracking up already 🤣 this narration is epic

[@asherdiy]

You beat me to it, Brandon! I was literally going to make a video titled “XTool is trying to be Apple”. My thumbnail wouldn’t have been nearly as good as yours though. Awesome stuff!

[@makeorbreakshop]

Great minds and all!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Jus thad to come to comment on that thumbnail, lol. Love it

[@makeorbreakshop]

Ha, thanks Brad!

[@MakerDaddy]

Haha the voice over is funny, fine let’s wait for the P3

[@makeorbreakshop]

ha, i'll say if you didn't have the P2, the P2s actually is a pretty great machine.

[@LaserHuset]

How does this compare to the new Atomstack co2 laser in a price to performance setting? Features seem to be similar on paper but are they comparable in the real world and if they are is Atomstacks lower price related to the build quality? Great video

[@makeorbreakshop]

Stay tuned for the next video! But I’ll say Atomstack is great since you can use Lightburn, xTool has overall better build quality and a more refined design at a higher price and limited to there software (which is still great).

[@LaserHuset]

@@makeorbreakshop looking forward to it, just thought I'd see if I could get a question or two in the script for the upcoming video Maybe 3, do you know where Atomstack gets their laser tubes from, if it isn't xTool tubes or same production line then only time will tell how good they are and that might be another variable to consider as xTool tubes seem to last very well Anyhow have a good weekend and thanks for the reply, I'll see you in the next video

[@DoLNet142]

I saw JTMakesIt made a comparison between P2 and hurricane. Hurricane's performance is out of my expectation.

[@flyinghighoveryou4872]

When will the Creative Space have Text to shape or line. This would be really nice and keep me from having to go back to lightburn and back to Creative Space. Love your products!

[@CaraJal]

Thank you for all your informative videos. Now I’m confused as a „future laser beginner“ if I should buy the P2S or the hurricane - help😂 greetings from Germany - keep up the good work

[@tonycollins1278]

What's the cost of the unit, what's the cost of the co2 if you break it.

[@Nimariel]

XTool as a whole gives off a serious Apple vibe, trying to position themselves as the company that is bringing advanced industrial tech to the homes of creatives using a curated blend of stylish hardware and software.

[@jackjfb8439]

Thank you for your honest review! It's difficult to get a truthful depiction of xtool products because most ok all, except you and one other allow their freebies to dictate their observations. Xtool makes a decent laser, but their misleading advertising is a deal breaker for me.

[@makeorbreakshop]

I try to stay as unbiased as possible, but totally get getting a machine to test makes that hard.

[@KeithHeilner]

Agree. I feel like its more marketing than substance. I'm going through my research to figure out what I will buy come the holidays. xTools seems overpriced.

[@rcarroll05]

IT is in the settings. Go to XCS with the machine connected. The little gear icon next to the machine name - click on that. Scroll down and there are different settings for Cut and Engrave. But still can't go down to 0% for either of them.

[@rcarroll05]

This is for the Air Assist and variable power of the air assist

[@cliftonmcreynolds5612]

Well, now I'm going to put off my upgrade to co2 until you do the comparisons. Good thing I'm learning patience, I'm just not good at it! Lol Thanks for this review. Good research and presentation style. Keep it up!

[@makeorbreakshop]

Sorry to make you wait!

[@cliftonmcreynolds5612]

@@makeorbreakshop Well, my tired self got the better of me and I used your affiliate link and got one. Could you help me out by giving me an approximate size I'd need for a table? (I was thinking of getting a bench on wheels, maybe?) Thanks :)

[@makeorbreakshop]

For the P2S?

[@makeorbreakshop]

@cliftonmcreynolds5612 and thanks!

[@cliftonmcreynolds5612]

@makeorbreakshop yes. I got the bundle with the riser, rotary and the air purifier (it'll go in my office)

[@ToddRafferty]

Didn't the P2 just come out? Is it normal to have a hardware refresh/cycle in the middle of a brand new hardware release? I was considering a P2, but now with the release of a P2S, I'm confused.

[@makeorbreakshop]

Came out about middle of 2023

[@da300mann2]

I own a print shop and need a laser to do custom work for our customers and for my own personal crafting. I would like to offer as many options and materials as possible and a good range of sizes for signage. So... What would you recommend??

[@mr.dangrande9344]

I have the S1, F1, and the Polar 350 by OMTEC. I am going to sell the Polar and purchase a CO2 laser from xTool. Would you recommend the P2 or the P2s? Thanks.

[@rcarroll05]

This is from an xTool post talking about the P2S and what the "software features" mean for the P2 and will they be available on the P2 "📌Software Release New features, including X-Axis acceleration, batch processing for different designs, and curved cylinder engraving, will be gradually supported P2 through XCS upgrades, with full implementation by February 2025."

[@makeorbreakshop]

good to know, hopefully they stick to it.

[@josephficara3666]

Thank you for the great review! Do you know if they are offering any upgrades to the P2 such as getting the upgraded air pump or purchasing a license to get the curved rotary?

[@makeorbreakshop]

Any physical upgrades I doubt, but I'm seeing now that all software upgrades are coming to the P2 "eventually".

[@josephficara3666]

@@makeorbreakshop thank you for the quick reply. Would be interesting to see if we could get that new air pump as a replacement part and replace the one in the p2

[@hopeforamerica1714]

Thank you! I have a tough question for you... let's say there's this guy and he doesn't know squat about lasers... but he wants to start something without knowing exactly what to start making... and he can only have one machine... overall, which machine is more versatile with different functions and applications with different materials... the P2S... or the F1 Ultra? Thanks!

[@grafxbynando_vlogs]

What!! I thought the same thing about the alignment with the red laser 🫠

[@makeorbreakshop]

Glad I wasn’t the only one

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

OH MAN!!!! I only recently got my XTool P2! LOL. DOH!!

[@makeorbreakshop]

It’s still great!

[@bsimmons00]

I thought there was a visible red dot that was projected for mirror alignment. I swear I saw it in their live launch video but now can't find that video. There was a point where they were adjusting the screw and you could see the dot move. Edit: Ok, found it at 1:26:22 in their launch live stream if you can track that down. I'll have to go back and watch a bit as it's kind of hard to understand them but they do show a red dot that moves as they adjust the screws. So, you have to go through the whole alignment procedure and at the end it projects the red dot.

[@makeorbreakshop]

Well shoot, I didn’t go deep enough into the alignment process I was just assuming it would always be on (which I wish they still would do). I’ll make sure and leave a note in the description!

[@bsimmons00]

@@makeorbreakshop Yeah, they do need a way to have it left on or at least a way to switch it on. Even just for a quick check of things without having to go through the whole alignment process.

[@bsimmons00]

@@makeorbreakshop The other thing that I noticed in their video was a couple times at least you see someone's hand get hit with a red dot as they are reaching in the machine. I don't know if they ever talked about it though. So difficult to understand at times and RIP my ears... Right around 1:14:15 is one time. Looks like the dot comes from the right side of the machine at the height of the larger magnetic screen. You see it again when he puts the screen back.

[@ricardoadderley1]

I'm stuck on what programs did you use for the voice over?

[@makeorbreakshop]

I use Artlist.io for lots of sound effects and music, they have a new ai voice generator thing, and the one I used was my favorite

[@farazahmed692]

Hello I plan on setting shop in my basement, if i am using a smoke purifier with the machine, do i need to vent it outside?

[@CrunchBar301]

No, you would not necessarily have to vent outside if you are using the purifier. However, I will tell you from experience that the smoke purifier goes through a LOT of those filters. Mine lasted about 2 weeks of light cutting and mostly engraving, running about 60 hours of laser on time. I reached out to support, and they said while 60 hours is short, they only expect them to last 80 - 150 hours of laser on time. The replacement filters are expensive ($136.99 each! $274/month in filters... could afford to finance a new, very nice machine for that. Let alone finance some vehicles for that amount of money) and don't always have amazing availability, so i would highly recommend venting outside. I personally use the inline duct fan mounted to my wall and a hose running outside through a dryer vent, with no filtration. All that said, i really like my S1 and while i don't regret it, i do wish i had sprung for a nicer CO2 model like the P2, or a cabinet style from omtech or similar.

[@PandorusFightStick]

with pre order price in mind think the atomstack hurricane cant be beaten. think price, shipping and taxes works out £2.4k

[@makeorbreakshop]

their price is pretty hard to beat.

[@rickpouley7561]

I currently have the P2 and really like the machine. I do not believe that the new P2S would be something that I will be up-grading to in the future. I know there are a few up-grades, but not enough reasons to buy this up-grade. Unless XTool would up-grade to a larger machine, then.... This would be the reason the buy another.. I do like your comparison with Apple.. You really can see or feel like XTool is trying to copy Apples business plan.

[@makeorbreakshop]

Ah dang I meant to mention what I would do if I already have a P2 and if you should upgrade. In that case I would still stick with the P2, unless you were looking to add another machine and not just replace it.

[@rickpouley7561]

@@makeorbreakshop Agreed!

[@cliftonmcreynolds5612]

So, if you didn't have either, would you buy the p2 or p2s? I'm looking to upgrade to co2, so I'm just curious

[@rickpouley7561]

@@cliftonmcreynolds5612 Great question.. I had to think a little about this.. If I didn't have either one, then I do believe that I would buy the P2S. The upgrades do make it easier to clean your machine during a pm day. I think also, that the exhaust fan will pull all of the air out of your laser. My P2, I do not have any problem with the old system. If you bought the P2 and up-graded your exhaust for example, this would cost you more money in the long run. Good Luck with your choice... They are both great machines in my opinion.. Rick

[@edwardolivares5038]

I hope p3 comes with a larger working area

[@makeorbreakshop]

Same!

[@o1ecypher]

okay okay, but does it make coffee?

[@makeorbreakshop]

Could heat it up

[@o1ecypher]

@@makeorbreakshop okay. ill take one espresso please, laser shaken not stirred

[@elguapo1507]

The reason I stopped buying Apple products was simply because of their aim to create FOMO by making gradual improvements. If you bought the P2 a month ago you might not be too happy to find out the "new improved P2" has JUST been released. If that becomes xTool's M.O then people might start looking elsewhere. Folk won't "upgrade" from a $4000 machine to a $4500 machine because it has a better fan and improved software for cups.... would they??

[@larrydalestubblefieldthe8263]

Well I was going to buy the 40w upgrade. But I'm a free thinker and don't need any apple products.

[@GR-qx4sl]

Needs ability to read registration marks and cut out

[@JamesAllen-c8v]

Wilson Daniel Garcia Ruth Hernandez Kimberly

[@kennuimuffins2426]

If anyone is the apple of lasers, it would be trotec. Expensive products, expensive support, locked ecosystem, overpriced parts, does not allow self-service (will void warranty), locked down software and more. The defining aspects of apple (aside from the aesthetics).

[@makeorbreakshop]

good point.

[@jasonbliley6429]

It looks a third as capable as my Bolt and 1/10th as capable as my Epilog, but I do like my F1!

[@ahappyhouse]

I wonder if this guy realizes that Android has a far bigger market share than Apple does. Apple is primarily only popular as much as it is in the United States than any other country. So I think he means to compare it to the Android system and not Apple.

[@martinking5167]

This guy clearly knows his stuff but he needs to slow down his delivery speed, this becomes really annoying after a few minutes; just take a breath now and then! Less hand waving would also be good. I direct instructional corporate videos for a living and this dleivery need tuning really badly.

[@Maleko48]

speak for yourself. I thought this was fine. I watch most content between 1.5x and 2.0x speed, and you can watch at 0.5x to 0.9x all the same. Everyone gets what they want.

[@celithiawilliams5701]

I also disagree. I enjoy he speed of delivery.

[@laserbasetube9499]

If xTool had really thought about improving the P2, the machine would look completely different. The P2 / P2S is simply a bad joke. Absolutely not made for professional use and even less for private use. Way too loud, poor cooling, extremely difficult to maintain if something breaks. And the worst part: the exhaust. When you use this laser, everything smells. It’s not sealed. This laser is far too expensive, and I would always prefer the Turbo 535 from Omtech. This laser is a marketing gimmick and not recommended.

[@MegVenus-u6s]

7874 Padberg Flat

[@grafxbynando_vlogs]

The upgrades are great lets get xtool to make a bigger machine 🫡🫡🤝🎉

[@CrunchBar301]

Man, if xTool made a larger cabinet style machine i would get it. I'm thinking a 24x40 would be more than enough for the vast majority of what most people need, but they may never go that large since they would want to start carrying materials for that large of a bed size...

[@grafxbynando_vlogs]

@CrunchBar301 yes and to make it to where instead of the riser it can be open bottom so we can move big objects under like a wine barrel 🙏🙏

[@dccc2724]

They need to make a metal one why do everything have to be plastered?