It’s amazing how much the capabilities and specs of these machines have changed since this video came out. Just as an example, the wecreat now has a pass through, and they also now have a 40 watt machine. Also, it has a pull out drawer, and had it even when this video was shot.
I would have to agree with the way you sorted them. Just one point that you missed that's probably the most important one. And that is, the LaserMATIC is the *only machine* that works in absolute coordinates with absolute precision because of the fixed honeycomb. _By the way, it's pronounced, "Rowlee", named after a man called Roland._
Thanks for another useful video. If you have a moment, where does your Thunder "Bolt" sit in this lineup? That's the machine I am most interested in. Obviously you could not cover everything, and one important factor you overlooked is maintenance. For example, the Roly requires removal of several tiny screws to clean the lens and shroud, while others use magnets and other methods. For me, difficult maintenance could be a deal breaker.
If you're open to content suggestions / requests, I'd be very interested in a video comparing the maintenance and upkeep requirements of these (and other) "consumer" lasers.
It doesn't sit in this lineup, because it's a CO2 laser. Compare it with OMTech Polar, Gweike Cloud, Flux Beambox/Hexa, xTool P2 (and Glowforge Pro if you must).
I am loving my Atomstack A70 Max. So powerful for a diode. The only downside is the non--enclosed part, but I just run it in my garage with the door open and fans running.
It was not an apple to apple comparison, suppose people want to buy a 40W or 20W machine, there should be a 40W vs 40W or 20W vs 20W comparison instead of a mix. It was kind of a mid-leading using $/w jumping from different watts.
The $/W was the best way I could try and make it apples to apples. The hard part is most of these machines offer different wattages and not all of them are exactly the same. The $/w wasn’t the main thing that I used to decide on my rank (pretty sure it would have been the same even without), but I wanted to give some kind of reference for people to see how much power you are getting for the money. For me at least it was surprising to see how the 70w from iKier was not super expensive considering the wattage but the Glowforge Aura is. I do like that most companies offer interchangable modules so you really are deciding more on the platform and then figuring out which module to get.
So i dont know about the others, but i will say your xtool s1 is a basic setup. With how they sell them they always bundle things. So i just got on the easter sale, i do think there is a big gap between just the base machine and what they are actually selling. Like the riser base was tossed on with everything. But going with max config and having thr conveyer adds a whole lot more working area than others.
Nice video. I operate a fiber laser for work, cutting mostly 5’ x 10’ sheets of 1/8” aluminum. Every once in a while I get this feeling that it would be nice to have a really small scale machine at home for hobby stuff, but I’m not in a place where I could drop $1000+ for just a hobby machine. Maybe the pricing will get more accessible as the technology matures, like it has for 3d printers (one can hope).
I own the F2P as well and I'm a bit saddened by the inability to raise the z-height on this unit, despite being promoted on Creality's own listing page. I suggest anyone looking into this printer be VERY cautious. You're paying a lot of money for a supposedly versatile tool. If you think someday you might use a rotary tool on this thing -- you probably won't. The tray CANNOT be removed to extend the legs so you can fit a rotary. The device uses a magnetic switch to detect when it's removed, and shuts off the laser. So just be aware that you are basically buying a $300 CNC laser with a $20 lid on it and a PC case fan to vent it.
Awesome video! Have been on the fence about which engraver/cutter to get and have been leaning towards the Falcon Pro 2 as I love Creality's 3d printers. Very helpful!
I did like this comparison. HOWEVER. I've got to call you out just a small bit. I just bought the S1 after some considerable research. The full enclosure did sell me the most, but the extra features really made this purchase a no brainer. I find it odd that you didn't mention that the S1 has all the attachments. Extra modules (like IR laser, and 20W laser switchout, + future ones), The Rotary attachment, the riser for thicker material option (which also give you the pull out crumb tray feature), the pass through capability with the riser. The Fire extinguisher module option. The conveyor system module which allows for 10 FEET material.Do all the other machines offer this? I purchased all the above (except for the 20W, which I may still buy).
Yeah the S1 seems superior in almost every way compared to the Falcon2 Pro. You could try to say there is no camera, but the one in the F2P is just an external usb web cam that you plug separately into your PC... there's nothing stopping you from sticking one on the X1. It's really that janky.
I’m wanting to cut acrylic sheets approximately 40x40. 1 what type of laser would you recommend and 2 what would be a budget friendly one I could purchase. Thanks in advance!
The Xtool S1 doesn't fully support Lightburn. There are several features that you cannot access through Lightburn. Also, I and many (most) S1 users find the marking system superior and more precise than a camera
Then why does the P2 have not 1, but 2 cameras? The positioning system is beyond time consuming if you want to use a pre used piece of wood that has blank areas scattered around.
Does the enclosure prevent the use of a rotary equipment to engrave on cylindrical object? The open-air frame seems easier to raise upwards to create enough space for the rotary and the glass/cup/mug item.
There are two classes of enclosed diode lasers: craft and hobby. In the craft class, I'm curious why you decided to include the Aura and WeCreat but skip xTool M1 which might be older but still comes out better than Aura, and the WeCreat is basically a somewhat improved clone of. There's also the new Flux Ador which is again very similar in form factor to xTool M1 and WeCreat.
@@1-Nice-Guy All brands have their pros and cons. Not a fan of closed ecosystems but... they are going to take over GlowForge on that business model :P Machines are nice htough so is the new tech they are adding so....
I don’t like their advertising model, and the way they treat current customers. I also feel they deceive their customers by how they market their lasers…example, they say the S1 is a Class 1 Laser and goggles are not required, but if you order the conveyor, they include goggles. Also, the front and rear access panels don’t have interlock switches, so the laser can be operated with them open and could result in permanent eye damage. None of this info is on their site, feel free to check your self.
@@1-Nice-Guy I think - although i get your point - you are conflating concepts. S1 out of the box is a Class 1 safety standards machine. MEaning, there are no laser light leaking possiblitities. The moment you start modifying the machine - which is what conveiyer does. - you loose that safety standard. Now, i do agree it should be clarified, but brands - specially at this level of budget machines - cannot also nanny people around. Is a catch 22 situation. I am also not particularly a fan of their marketing but fair is fair.
Creality has a really good deal on the falcon 2 pro, making it 160 something dollars cheaper than the LaserMATIC. Would you still prefer the lasermatic? (Both 20w)
Ive got an algolaser delta. Unless they improve the reliability i dont recommend it. When it works its decent but its buggy. Support is trying so i give them that
@@makeorbreakshop Will this be on the radar at some point do you think? Would love to know what it can cut metal wise. I'd think they'll happily send you one!
Just upgrading my Roly with an XTool Fire safety set. I’m not happy to use XTool but there are no alternatives right now and it’s a standalone system, so it works with any enclosed laser you can fit it on, just don’t buy the S1 specific version.
Do any of these machines have a fence? I use materials sometimes with certain patterns on them that I need the pattern to be square to the cut. I built one for my atomstack, but I’m thinking about going to one of these. Is there any desktop lasers (Diode or CO2) that have one? A camera is little too inaccurate because of the parallax of the lens.
So some have a fixed honeycomb, the Roly is like that it looks into place and you can reference off of it. Even if you don’t go the camera route you can use the framing option with the low power diode to get an exact position. A square would be a great option to add in though.
Get a Roly. You will love it. The honeycomb does not move around at all and the laser beam is aligned to within 0.5mm accuracy. It also has an optional jig table.
I have to disagree on the D1 Pro being ranked low. I own the D1 Pro, F1, and S1. They all have their merits, but the D1 does something that my S1 cannot realistically achieve.... I can place it on any flat surface and engrave whatever I want. With that said, the F1 is still my overall favorite due to my own personal use case, but the D1 Pro is versatile... it has the room underneath for me to insert a full length baseball bat and use the rotary tool to engrave it. That wont fit on my others!
Given that 30-40W will cut 15 mm plywood and ~20+mm wood/particleboard, once you get into/past that 30-40w range size starts to be become the more important metric for many/most. A 3-400mm square 70w laser will for most be a LOT less interesting than a 500mm+ square 40W model and available space becomes the real limitation. I would buy a 600mm square 40W laser over a 300mm square 70w laser for a similar price and it wouldn't even be a difficult choice.....
Disagree - wattage is super important, and relating the price/watt to usefulness is good. What he could have done was done a review based on watt/$ as well as an overall review of lasers ranked by features. It's a well done video.
do you know anyone who would talk to me on the phone about laser engravers? I am a leather hobbyist who wants a laser engravers, i think? so far the two lasers i want to check out are both made in China, and i don't want to call china. i believe talking to someone more local, i have learned that even RU-vidr want to say the right things to get hit. that that they are lying, just not saying all of the con's about a laser. i get it , everyone had to make money to keep going. Like is lasers only good on Veg tan leather and not on chrome tan leather. things like that. i have seen a lot of lasers on leather, but there a big different between Veg tan and chrome tan leather.
@@makeorbreakshop mmmm make or break... ignoring the sore grapes comment (go figure why). I think the break part demands a "bluppers" vid one of this days 🙂
Damn...this cat goes in depth to provide us with his thought's on a few popular lasers that he's actually used and researched extensively.....and some of you people have nothing nice to say...."sell-out" @ThantiK?? WTF?? Sucks to be you man....I know a few classless acts like you who just can't resist posting nasty comments about everything to everyone....get a life dude.
