xTool S1 Laser Review - The Best Laser for Beginners?

[@joyweber4659]

I bought the S1 with 40 watt module. Just starting to use it and pretty sure I'll love it. I also have a 10 watt M1 and the F1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@MasonWoodshop]

Thanks for watching! It sounds like you’ve got a great setup!

[@jonwoodworker]

My biggest gripe is the exhaust port on the back. I would prefer it on the side so I can push the unit closer to the wall.

[@MasonWoodshop]

Totally agree!

[@billr4084]

Hi, I enjoyed your video. I just purchased the S1 40 Watt with the 6" inline fan (Xtool "brand" at $99 U.S. when I bought mine). This fan has an independent control (speed and how long you leave it on). It seems to do a good job of exhausting fumes. Thanks for your contribution. Just FYI, I like you, am a woodworker exploring how it can enhance my woodworking.

[@MasonWoodshop]

Thanks for watching and leaving such a positive comment! It’s a really fun tool.

[@Namaste-Birju]

Hi it’s been a struggle for me to find the right power and speed to engrave clear acrylic with S1 20 Watts. I would really appreciate if you wouldn’t mind sharing the settings please and thank you.

[@MasonWoodshop]

While I’m not a complete expert, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to engrave clear acrylic with a diode laser. There may be ways to apply something to the surface to get some sort of etch (like you can with glass and tempera paint), but I’ve never been successful with clear acrylic.

[@731Woodworks]

Very cool machine! Thanks for sharing.

[@MasonWoodshop]

Thanks for watching! I love your content.

[@florenzeluxurypetaccessori2846]

Very nice review, thank you! Have you tried to engrave solid brass with this machine? I'm trying to decide, I don't really need to cut but engrave leather and brass. Thanks!

[@MasonWoodshop]

Thanks for watching! I have not tried solid brass yet, but the 2W IR module may (not 100% sure) be able to engrave it.

[@ItsJross.]

Awesome review, very insightful. Have you tried cutting or engraving acrylic on it?

[@MasonWoodshop]

Yup!!! Cuts and engraves opaque (and mostly opaque) acrylic just fine, but diode lasers don’t play well with clear acrylic.

[@Nimariel]

There is a setting in the software to change how long the exhaust fan runs after you finish processing.

[@MasonWoodshop]

Thank you!!! Just found it under “working info”.

[@mikemiciukiewicz2595]

Great video, thank you. If you want an inexpensive inline fan try a 'duct booster'. Lowes, HomeDepot, etc., has them. They make various sizes to fit your duct. I use one for venting weld fumes out of my shed.

[@MasonWoodshop]

Great tip, thank you!

[@jodiemeschke6889]

Thanks for sharing. This is wonderful information. I am considering getting the S1 but was leaning more towards the 40W because I want to cut thicker wood. I keep seeing what the lasers will do in one pass. Will they cut thicker materials in more passes? Would the 20W cut up to 3/4" if it made more passes?

[@MasonWoodshop]

Thanks for watching! The 20W could do it in multiple passes, but I have found that the cut isn’t quite as precise (maybe more burning). I have recently been playing around with the 2W IR laser and after doing so I think I’d recommend the 40W + 2W kit to have the most versatility.

[@jodiemeschke6889]

Thank you so much. I think that is what I need as well.

[@myElHoElHo]

4:29 are those extra lenses I see? Two of them? 12:26 that's got to be the finest laser beam I have ever seen. It's almost invisible.

[@Spectrumgamermom]

Is the software behind a paywall/subscription like Glowforge?

[@Spectrumgamermom]

P.s. thank you so much for your review. I was "burned" by other machines and was looking to get something simpler.

[@MasonWoodshop]

Nope! Software is freely available from xTool and doesn’t require cloud connectivity either. Soooo much simpler to use than LightBurn as well. I really like the XCS software and the learning curve is about as good as it could be.

[@christinemazzawi]

Name of the software 🙏🏻?

[@MasonWoodshop]

I’ve been using xTool Creative Space (XCS) with my xTool lasers. You can also use LightBurn, but I find XCS much more user friendly.

[@thejacksons3019]

If you wanted to cut 12mm ply with the 20w laser, would it just be a case of 2 passes of the laser?

[@MasonWoodshop]

I tested that a while back and I believe it took me 3 or 4 passes. The end result was pretty good, but if I was cutting 12mm regularly, I’d recommend taking a look at the 40W version.

[@tomzphone]

Now I can't use my machine, I keep getting an error code M363 S4. I installed the raiser (the one that doesn't open up) Is it because my material is not thick enough to reach the sensor stick? What settings or modes do I need to input in the creative space so that I don't need to remove the riser even when not using something tall?

[@MasonWoodshop]

Interesting! I may not be much help as the riser base I have is the one that opens, so I can just reposition the tray accordingly. The help page for that error message (link: support.xtool.com/article/1285) does show the material height restrictions both with and without the honeycomb panel, which notes a level A and level B depending on the material thickness requirements you may have.

[@MasonWoodshop]

Oh, and if you do have the honeycomb, you can potentially just put some boards of the same height under the corners of the honeycomb to raise it up. I'm not 100% sure this will work for you, but I do it sometimes when I'm bouncing between using the rotary attachment and honeycomb, even with the riser base that does open up.

[@tomzphone]

@@MasonWoodshop thanks. that's actually an idea. I do have the honeycomb. didn't know you could put stuff under it. But this should def. work. I installed the raiser because my s1 also came with the rotary attachment.

[@MasonWoodshop]

Awesome! I've propped up my honeycomb many times with success, plus I found that the smoke was more effectively exhausted when doing so. I typically use 2" x 2" sections of 3/4" plywood, but I'm sure anything would work.