How Does the xTool D1 Laser Work on Leather?

Thinking about getting a laser like this in your shop? In this video, let's look at some practical ways this laser might be useful in your leathercraft. I've been having a blast with it so far, engraving coffee mugs, cutting and egraving leather, cutting thin plywood... It's fun! Looking forward to further testing!

xTool sent me this laser to review and use, and I can assure you I'm giving you my honest two cents in this review. Though I wasn't paid for the video, the above link is an affiliate link, so I do earn a commission if you purchase through that link.

Thank you for watching! Hope it's helpful, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Have fun making,
Tanner

0:00 Intro
1:36 Create hat patch using Laserbox software
3:05 Focusing the laser
3:49 Sample cut and engrave (hat patch)
5:14 Comparison of cutting different leather types
7:05 Ventilation concerns
7:43 Cutting pattern out of leather (using Lightburn)
10:32 Cutting pattern out of plywood
11:17 Diode laser vs. CO2 laser discussion
11:56 Conclusions on the xTool D1

[shawnlewis]

You have made some of the most practical videos on leather craft that I have seen. You are humble and not afraid to explain the simple stuff for the people who are just getting started. I don't know why you have stopped making content, but I am sure you have a good reason. Just know that more content from you would be a huge contribution to the community (just like your current content).

[charleshutcheson]

Tanner, I’ve learned so much from you. You inspired me to try zippers! I’ve gleaned many other gold nuggets from your channel too. You’ve not uploaded any tutorials for a while, so we, your fans, are missing you. I hope all is well with you & your family. Get back to us when you can. We’ll be thrilled to once again see you sharing new ideas and skills with us.
Many thanks & God bless!

[mccoypauley]

Very good information. I wanted to make a diode laser cutting machine to cut small series of leather and rubber pieces for small-scale production of footwear and this video is by far the most illustrative about diode leather cutting on YouTube. Thank you so much

[pacoesquivel]

I have been looking for a video for months that will inform me how to cut and record at the same time and you were the only person who did it thank you very much you won a new sub gracias thanks😃

[RageNaught]

Just found your channel, so many awesome new things I learned with just a few videos. I hope all is well and get new videos in the future. I’ll be consuming the archive till then. Thank you.

[johncosta]

I just love your content! Hope you comeback with some more. Would really like to see how to make a belt for example

[tannermurphy]

This channel got me into leather crafting. Amazing work you do and thank you for educating and inspiring others!

[michaelgovea]

Really enjoy the videos! I use an atom stack laser and it works great to engrave and cut leather. Just be careful when cutting chrome tan leather or any other leathers that aren’t full grain veg tan as they may have PVC in them which is not good to inhale. Keep up the grind!

[josh]

I got one of these a few weeks ago. An air assist helps with the charring on the surface. I just sand the edges down a little to get rid of the roughness. I’ve been told not to use chrometan on it because it makes some toxic fumes

[gregmullins]

Black acrylic works great but I have trouble with orange or yellow. Black cut great for me. Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it

[ayasugihada]

Very impressed by the cutting ability. Just a few years back, I wouldn't guess that relatively cheap diode laser will get through fairly thick veg tan so easily. I had a cheaper one 2-3 years ago and I sold it quickly. The improvement in the technology and overall design is incredible. Prolly will wait one or two years for som features additional to be included. But overall great machine. Also, avoid cutting chrome tan...that's a nono for your respiratory system ;).

[shinypancho]

Great, great, great video. Learned a lot, specially with the thickness/pass test.

[philwatson]

Love your channel. I hope things are well for you.

[jonathan]

This video was perfect timing! I just ordered a laser today, and was doing some YouTube learning about it.

[FunDumb]

I've been using laser cutters with leather for quite a while now. The best results I've found are to just trace your lines on top of the leather. Don't bother going through. I individually punch my holes and the punch sits in the trace circle outlines. You could basically hole punch blindfolded.

I have not experimented with covering your leather with, tape, or even wood veneer to block the majority of burning that occurs. It's really hard to get the leather back to new condition at that point. And the leather will most likely shrink and warp anyhow. But what's worse is the smell. Adding more oxygen, a blower, and good ventilation may help some.

[walteraustin]

Another great video. I really enjoyed the cut test on the different types of leather.

[RedBeardOps]

Man I've been thinking about getting one of these to cut out sheath templates... Glad to see your review here! (wooden blade blank templates would be nice too... )

[georginatijerina]

Great tutorial! I get mine on Sunday and you made it look so easy!

[FatManLeather]

I've been doing some laser engraving in leather and it's pretty cool. I've also used it to cut some of my digital patterns out of heavy card stock with good results. I'm going to try some 1/8" plexiglass when I get a chance, I've been told that if you leave the backing paper on it, it helps a lot.

[finestbird]

What a nice video. Tanner can you please talk about the thread more which one to use for which leather and thank you