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Curious to know all about the xTool F1 laser cutting, carving, and engraving machine? Keep reading to get my thoughts and experience using this latest tool!

Disclosure: This tool was gifted to me in exchange for a review and a sharing my experiences using this tool. All opinions are my own.

The Appeal of the xTool F1 Laser Machine

When you’re in the industry that I’m in – digital content creation – you’re always looking for ways to hedge your bets. Meaning that, as a content creator, I’m at the mercy of the almighty algorithm of Google and Pinterest.

My main source of income is from ads on my site based on traffic. Well, if traffic stops coming, so does my income. And what does my income depend on? Google and Pinterest. Which I have no control over.

That has led me to diversify my streams of income. 

It led me to creating digital printables to sell in my Etsy shop, which has done well, all things considered. But I’ve also toyed with the idea of creating physical products to sell.

My sister recently got a laser machine where she was creating all of these gorgeous, customized wood cut-and-carved gifts, and my curiosity was piqued.

Then I came across the xTool F1 and it all clicked.

 

xTool F1 appealed to me because of the variety of uses to create not just decor and crafts for myself and for gifts, but the possibility of selling it to the public as well – either via Etsy shop, craft fairs, or even just from my personal Facebook account (my sister actually has had a lot of success doing this!)

So, why this specific machine?

Let me give you some of the particulars.

What is the xTool F1?

In their own words:

“xTool F1 is the fastest portable IR {infrared) & diode laser engraver that can “print” in high resolution with extraordinary details. xTool F1 is a revolutionary galvanometer laser that is equipped with 10W blue light and 2W infrared light, which can engrave 300+ materials and cut common processing materials. xTool F1 is super fast and accurate; it can reach 4000 mm/s maximum, 0.00199mm engraving accuracy, and HD Photo printing, allowing you to complete a detailed engraving in the blink of an eye.”

I’ll admit – a lot of those technical details are above my head, but basically, it means that you can cut, carve, and engrave many different kinds of materials (300+) very quickly and very accurately, making it versatile machine.

This particular model is also portable, so you can bring it with you to a craft fair and create custom projects on the spot.

The main components are the laser cutter itself and the smoke exhaust air purifier. It also comes with several versatile extensions.

 Also of note is that this tool was rated “Best Laser Engraver” by USNEWS!

Why the xTool F1?

I liked this machine for a few reasons.

As stated above, it’s very versatile. You’re not locked into just one type of medium (e.g. – Silhouette or Cricut only cuts vinyl). You can work with wood, metal, tumblers, leather, photo paper, acrylic, vinyl, glass, rock, and more. This allows you to create SOOOO many more projects.

I also liked that it is marketed for beginners. This is my first experience with a machine like this, and while the set-up did take some time, it wasn’t difficult to use at all, and I was able to figure it out pretty easily.

The machine also comes with a user manual and extensive guide that is easy to read and understand, which has been very helpful in getting me up to speed with the machine, including videos and step-by-step instructions.

The machine’s software is intuitive and easy to use, making it hard to mess up.

If you’ve used a Silhouette or Cricut before, the interface is somewhat similar.

The hardest thing for me (just of how my brain works) is that there are 2 layers for certain projects – a cutting layer and an engraving layer. This is where it would differ from a Silhouette. That took a little getting used to.

As you are creating, there are various prompts along the way to make sure you are setting your project up correctly. 

The instructions also come various project you can try, which I loved, when I was first trying to get acclimated to the machine. 

They also have a website where you can get free designs to use for projects!

I also like that it is relatively small and can easily fit in small desk space.

Here’s a look at the inside – it comes with a removable grilled plate and a flat base where you can screw down an angle holder to keep the materials in place.

There’s also a carrying case to use when bringing it on-location. It has wheels making it super simple to transport!

This is also an incredibly precise machine. It uses advanced technology to ensure that every cut is clean and accurate, which is essential for creating high-quality products.

As for its actual performance, the laser beam was able to follow the cutting path precisely, resulting in clean and accurate cuts every time. Additionally, the machine was able to maintain its accuracy even when cutting intricate designs.

When it comes to speed and efficiency, Laser Machine X tool F1 did not disappoint. The machine was able to cut through materials quickly, without compromising on accuracy. This makes it a great tool for mass production and high-volume projects.

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Sample Projects

This was the first design I tried on my xTool. It was more of just a practice to get a feel for the machine, but I loved how it turned out!

As I said, my sister is quite the designer and creator. Here are some projects she designed:

The xTool F1 Outshines Other Machines

If you want the bullet-point version of the highlights of this machine, here you go!

1| It’s the fastest IR and diode portable laser 4000 mm/s speed

2| It’s the world’s first portable 10W 455nm Blue & 2W 1064 nm infrared galvo laser

3| It engrave crisp, clear patterns, extraordinary details, and HD resolution – up to 1270 dpi images!

4| It can be used with multiple devices – desktops, tablets, and phones

5| There are just easy 4 steps: draw design, adjust knob focus (auto or manual), live preview frame, and push the button!

6| It’s safe to engrave anywhere with an enclosed protective shield and smoke exhaust hole.  

7| It comes with various extensions: a slide extension (115*400mm working area) for bigger projects, a cylinder attachment for tumblers, glasses, ornaments, etc., and it graves in different angles!

Cost-Benefit Ratio

When it comes to the cost-benefit ratio, Laser Machine X tool F1 is an excellent investment. Although it may seem expensive at first, it provides a high level of accuracy and precision that can save you time and money in the long run. 

Compared to other machines in the market, Laser Machine X tool F1 offers a higher ROI because all of the advanced features and capabilities.

And the fact that it is portable makes it a fantastic way to earn extra money on site at craft fairs, art shows, and home parties!

Check Out the xTool F1 Yourself!

If you’d like to see this product in more detail or check out other xTools, you can browse around here!

Thoughts or questions? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!