Best Beginner Laser Engraver and Laser Cutter in 2024 - The xTool S1 with 20W Laser

In this video we'll take a look at what comes in the xTool S1 laser engraver/cutter Basic Kit (with honeycomb panel and air assist), go through the very easy setup process, and then make the first laser engrave and first laser cut.

Trade in your old laser/vinyl cutter for a new xTool machine and save up to $500! - No return required! Click on one of the links below and look for the Trade In link at the bottom of the page.

LINKS TO PURCHASE XTOOL S1:

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
0:51 Unboxing the xTool S1 20W Basic Kit
5:03 Touring the xTool S1
7:06 Installing the diode laser
7:57 Installing the honeycomb panel
8:16 Connecting the air assist
10:05 Turning on and connecting to XCS software
11:26 First engrave on 3mm plywood
16:36 First cut on 3mm plywood
19:28 Final thoughts after first use

Stay tuned for a full review with many project examples in an upcoming video!

Please note that the xTool S1 20W Basic Kit was provided free of charge by xTool. Affiliate links to purchase products from xTool are provided and I may receive commissions for purchases made through those links. The views expressed in the video are my own and I was not compensated to give positive sentiments.

#xtools1#lasercutter #laserengraver

[MasonWoodshop]

This is my first laser cutter/engraver and I'd been having so much fun playing around with it the past few weeks. Leave a comment below with any topics on laser cutters and engravers that you would like me to cover in potential future videos.

[annieswanson]

Love this Cole, can’t wait to see what you make with this!

[davidl]

I am just as excited as you were just got mine today. I was so confused about the power for the airpump i thought id lost and was looking for it everywhere

[SusanHoneycutt-nr]

Thank you for your demonstration. If you buy the risers I would appreciate seeing you cut after it is put on the risers. Also demonstrate how to engrave on glass etc

[carolynstroud]

Awesome video! You just helped solve my problem and I successfully engraved my first print!

[DuongNguyen-gguc]

It was a nice video, very clear on guidance and extremely helpful, but consider on slowing down when going from your MacBook to the laser to prevent dizziness.
Thanks for sharing.

[melannieworld]

should I get the 20w to start or 40w? I want to make wedding invitations with it too. I see that the cutting on this machine cuts them perfect. I got a Cricut machine and this will take it to another level.

[garynelles]

I did have a company reach out to give me a laser as well, but I haven’t taken it because they wanted two videos of at least a certain length. I would like to have a laser so that I could personalize things by putting my logo on it and I wouldn’t mind using it to etch glass panels for wall hung whiskey cabinets as well. Cool video let me know if you try to use it on glass.

[buddajean]

Would you please show the air assist when you get it. I have to have mine in the basement. No way to vent outdoors. Thanks.

[zeroease]

great reviews！I was wondering how the s1 compares to acmer p3.

[BillyLeeWilson]

do you think you could cut carbon fiber cloth (just the raw cloth off a roll) with the laser?

[LouRao]

Now that I have the S1 doing framing without any issues as shown in your video made for me, are there any shortcoming you can share about the S1 that you don’t like? I’m still debating whether to keep it or not. For me, I don’t like that the honeycomb tray has a tendency to shift during lasering. Additionally, there is a gap between the honeycomb tray and the unit, which is a waste of space. They could have made the honeycomb tray longer to fit the unused space. And because the honeycomb isn’t as big as the unit xTool’s could had condensed the unit frame smaller where it wouldn’t be so oversized. A lot of waste of material.

I’m not a fan of LightBurn; however, I do like xTool’s proprietary software. xTool software reminds me of Cricut Design Space, which I am very comfortable using. I’m the type of person who likes things to look pleasing, be easy to use, and functional all at the same time, which is why I use Apple products. LightBurn is powerful and can do a lot, but visually, it's awful. User-friendly? Not at all. LightBurn has too many steps to complete one task, with too much redundancy in the software.

I also like xTool’s precise positioning and would love to have a camera as well. I am going to see how accurate the precise positioning is later today by engraving pencils and toothpicks. If there are any drawbacks for precise positioning when doing batching, it will be time-consuming. This is where a camera would come in handy.

Otherwise, I too need to put it through several tests to determine if it is worth the $2, 200 I paid for. I will provide updates. 😎

[LouRao]

HELP! Received the S1 the other day. Everything works, but framing. Each time I select framing the button light changes for just 3 seconds and goes back to white. Within the three seconds, click it and nothing. I down graded the beta software to the last version and didn’t help. S1 updated to the latest firmware. Pin Pointing system works. Cutting works. Engraving works. But, the framing doesn’t work. I call support and it was horrible. Any ideas why I can’t get the framing to work on my S1? Thank you.

[stevenking]

Of course ur gonna praise it, they paid you and gave you only for free. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[mudz]

Using a laser or CNC is not woodworking. It’s no more than manufacturing…..it’s how IKEA and other manufacturers are able to churn out millions of identical items. Unsubscribed…