Favorite Tool in the Shop: XTool S1 Laser Engraver
If I were to start fresh with an empty shop, what would be the first tool I would get? Well, while I'd be tempted to say tablesaw (is there a more practical tool?), I think I would actually get a laser engraver to start with. For the past year now we've been working quite a bit with laser engraving and cutting, and it's such a useful tool for making small and precise things. Especially boxes, gears, models not to mention marking out different things. It's fast, fun and opens up a new world of possibilities.
In my latest video I had the opportunity to review our latest upgrade in the shop - an Xtool S1 laser engraver. It's more powerful at 40w than our previous Atezr engraver which boasted 24w, however the main difference I would say, is the green cover.
With the cover down you can cut without having to wear glasses (which means other people can be in the shop as well in a more relaxed way), and there's a built in fan inside which will force the smoke and gases out wherever you position a hose.
There are other nice features in addition to this (great autofocus, selecting a precise area to engrave easily, safety features etc...) however the cover is actually my favorite.
Have you ever considered getting an engraver, or are you planning on upgrading? Either way I would check out XTool, right now they are having a trade in deal if you have a unit from a different brand, and you can get up to $500 in value towards a new machine.
I think one of my favorite aspects of using a laser engraver is just how fast it is to use. Whether you're prototyping or refining something, it's a lot faster than using a 3d printer, and a lot less setup than using a CNC.
Make sure to watch the video where I go over all the machine and what we've used it for.