xTool MetalFab Laser welder & cutter?

[NUTTSGT]

When I was a young Lcpl in the marines one pitch black night I was on the tow crew driving the tug at a CAX exercise in 29 stumps.



The AH-1W super cobras 20mm gatling gun laser (red arrow) has a fairly low power (no where near welding power or even catching paper on fire like the main targeting laser would, blue arrow) IR laser for the pilots to see where the gun is pointing thru their night vision googles.

This gun/laser is pointing at the back of the tug drivers head. As the rest of the crew was attaching the wheels to the skids one member flipped the main power switch and lights for towing at night. As i was looking back I kept seeing this faint glow in one particular spot and couldn't figure out what it was but finally dawned on me that it was the laser.

I reported it as you were supposed to and the Warrant officer in the avionics shop told me that there was no way I could see that laser as it wasn't visible and it was impossible for it to be on as the skid tubes had safety switches that disarm it when they are sprung due to weight.

So instead of getting some NVG's to check he marches out to the Cobra and proceeds to look directly into the lasers path. He jumps back and says exclaims that it was on and you could faintly see it. The safety switches had been mis wired at the last depot maintenance and the laser was on any time the main power was on.

The next day (and every few weeks after) have our eyes checked by an optometrist that specialized in cases of being lased. Luckily I had very little burning on my retina that all healed. The doctor thought that the plate glass on the cab of the tug deflected enough of it to minimize the damage. The Warrant Officer had permanent scaring on his retina and lost acuity in his vision unfortunately.

I don't know if it was true (he wasn't one to BS) but some of our Gunny was a young plane captain when the Marines first received the Night targeting system upgrades to the Super cobra in 93 or 94. He told me several people were blinded when pilots on the ground were familiarizing themselves with the main targeting laser/range finder including a motorist that was driving on the far side of the airfield as they were following his car as a target.

I just want to go on record saying that Firebrick is correct. When it's pitch black at 29 Palms, it's F'n pitch black.



It'll be interesting to see what Ryan gets and how it works. I expect a few YT videos on it after he figures it out. Although, I think a few learning videos along the way would help people understand what is coming down the pipeline.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I have ZERO experience with laser welding, I did just see a couple of comments on Practical Machinist about the mirrors and contamination related to the low cost lser welders. The user also mentioned his Chinese laser welder came with an uncallibrated gun, that required a great deal of work to quallify. His words, it would have been cheaper to buy an ITW machine? Do these inexpensive welders require high purity argon?

 

[Ryan]

I just want to go on record saying that Firebrick is correct. When it's pitch black at 29 Palms, it's F'n pitch black.



It'll be interesting to see what Ryan gets and how it works. I expect a few YT videos on it after he figures it out. Although, I think a few learning videos along the way would help people understand what is coming down the pipeline.

I wish I was getting a laser welder… They are sending me a CO2 Laser cutter/engraver…

 

[no704]

I have not used ours as a hand held as we got it for a very specific job. But there are different tips. You can set the focal length and most of them have several patterns the beem can be set to. Like a figure 8, and you a set the width of the pattern. So you hold the gun at a slight angle and drag the tip in a straight line. No idea how this works on like a cage? I won’t be getting rid of my mig! But it’s a great tool for certain jobs. I can see it being useful for sheet metal due to the really focused heating, you can touch the part right after the weld. But fit up needs to be pretty perfect.

 

[no704]

The gun is a bit unwieldy. Think like a 45 mag auto with a big garden hose attached to the back of it. And do not kink the hose.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I wish I was getting a laser welder… They are sending me a CO2 Laser cutter/engraver…

ahhh, damn. I miss stuff sometimes reading stuff quickly on my phone.

 

[ArcIndWeld]

Everlast also has a laser welder out for $8k (1250w) as well as a few other larger ones. I havent gotten to try a handheld laser myself yet but i hear good things about the everlast ones. That being said I have used other style of laser welders and they are pretty sweet tech. I'd be interested in trying one out given the chance but don't think ill be buying myself one for the style work i do.

 

[rocksnstumps]

Valuable insight is gold.




As stated earlier, that was a typo by another user.

Not a typo. More like a blatant lie from the ad owner. I didn't click on the link provided. Looks like someone else did in post #40

 

[Ryan]

Not a typo. More like a blatant lie from the ad owner. I didn't click on the link provided. Looks like someone else did in post #40

Awe. I missed that. My bad!

 

[Xti04]

I showed this to the wife last night. The firepit they claim you can build in 2.5 hours was my selling point. She thought it was pretty cool till I gave her the price. Its more than my last 2 cars cost combined so she said no. Still would like to see one in person. Until then Im gonna keep practicing my mig welds.

 

[RichieP_MechE]

I really hope they make a slightly cheaper version of this that is just a fiber laser cutter. I have zero use for a laser welder, but a CNC fiber laser is high on my list of Things I Want in My Shop. I do a lot of sheet metal in the 18 - 11 gauge range, and rarely go over 1/4". I have an old Torchmate 2x4 plasma table with a Hypertherm PowerMax 65, but even with fine cut consumables there's no way I'm cutting an M3 tap hole in 12 ga steel that is anywhere close to round or on size. A fiber laser would be so much better for the designs that I do.

I'm also stilly considering building my own - there is a great series about this on youtube from Travis Mitchell - but I'd much rather already buy a functioning machine for the price of the DIY parts -

 

[danielbuck]

Not that I would be interested in buying a laser welder, but it would be nice to see one used for some practical project, rather than just sticking coupons together. lets see some body work on a car or something.

 

[dr_clyde]

Not that I would be interested in buying a laser welder, but it would be nice to see one used for some practical project, rather than just sticking coupons together. lets see some body work on a car or something.

They *are* showing practical projects. You’d be amazed at how much industrial welding is mostly just sheet metal boxes, pans and seams.

Sheet metal coupons are the best way to show the practical use for something like this.

Machines like this are targeted toward industry so they show joints you’d find in industry.

 

[lonewolf55]

 

[KwikFab]

They *are* showing practical projects. You’d be amazed at how much industrial welding is mostly just sheet metal boxes, pans and seams.

Sheet metal coupons are the best way to show the practical use for something like this.

Machines like this are targeted toward industry so they show joints you’d find in industry.

This.

Time is money

 

[Mandres]

I've been seeing YouTube videos with these type of machines. It's usually a couple of scruffy guys in a filthy shop cleaning rust off of old **** and welding up a few coupons. It scares the hell out of me, high power lasers are so dangerous, and these dudes don't seem to respect that risk at all. Like making Star Wars skits and acting like fools. I guess they'll give a machine to any influencer with a following these days

 

[scooby074]

Anyone considering the xtool or other laser welder based on a paid YT video probably should watch this guy who is a very good aluminum welder. Hes generally positive of Laser, but folks need to understand its limitations.

 

[Ryan]

Anyone considering the xtool or other laser welder based on a paid YT video probably should watch this guy who is a very good aluminum welder. Hes generally positive of Laser, but folks need to understand its limitations.

I don't at all disagree with you or even the guy that made the video, but seems like he's just playing the other side of the coin really... I wouldn't make a video or write a feature on anything I haven't used myself or fondled with my own hands. Doing so is just drama for clicks sake.

 

[scooby074]

I don't at all disagree with you or even the guy that made the video, but seems like he's just playing the other side of the coin really... I wouldn't make a video or write a feature on anything I haven't used myself or fondled with my own hands. Doing so is just drama for clicks sake.

Aaron doesnt usually go for the drama in my experience, usually he just calls it like he sees it. He was more calling out **** welds by a **** welder (with 500,00 views making god knows how much in referral money from xtool) than laser welding itself. He welcomed one to test.

His argument was that if anyone believes that video's "statement" that the xtool laser can weld 1/8 aluminum and produce a safe, quality weld, they are mistaken and if xTool was a decent company they wouldnt allow their ambasadors to make such a statement as its clearly overselling its ability.

Its not sour grapes when an expert calls out BS, IMHO, his work speaks for itself.

 

[Ryan]

Aaron doesnt usually go for the drama in my experience, usually he just calls it like he sees it. He was more calling out **** welds by a **** welder (with 500,00 views making god knows how much in referral money from xtool) than laser welding itself. He welcomed one to test.

His argument was that if anyone believes that video's "statement" that the xtool laser can weld 1/8 aluminum and produce a safe, quality weld, they are mistaken and if xTool was a decent company they wouldnt allow their ambasadors to make such a statement as its clearly overselling its ability.

Its not sour grapes when an expert calls out BS, IMHO, his work speaks for itself.

I don’t know either of the players in this dust-up—never heard of either before. But one thing’s clear: they’ve both got monetization switched on and thumbnails engineered like candy-coated bait. It’s all about clicks. Both of them chasing the same high—trying to make a buck doing something they actually enjoy. And honestly? I’ve got no issue with that. From where I’m sitting, it looks like two folks playing the same game from opposite ends of the table.

Now, for me—direct affiliate work is a no-go. Too much temptation to tilt the scales. I will take gear for review, but only under one condition: there are no conditions. Xtool just sent over a laser, and that’s actually how this welder even popped onto my radar. No affiliate links, no handshakes behind the curtain.

A friend of mine—you probably know him, reality TV fame, the whole bit—got to play with the welder. His take? “You’re not building race cars with it, but it lays down a damn pretty bead. Great for fixturing, prototyping, and the more crafty side of the spectrum. I’d use the **** out of the whole system just for exhaust brackets though…”

And isn’t that exactly Xtool’s lane? Not ******** fabrication, but the cleaner, design-heavy, small-batch creative stuff? Honestly, I’d be surprised if a company with their current rep—pretty much the “Apple” of the consumer laser world—would throw marketing dollars at a product they know is garbage.

Point is, I’m not passing judgment on the welder until I’ve actually laid hands on it. Everything else is just noise.

 

[RichieP_MechE]

Looks like we'll be seeing more of this design hitting the market from other vendors - GWeike is also coming out with one. Intriguing about their design is having a C02 laser built in to the CNC base as well as being able to install the fiber laser head like the XTool. Also they will have two different machine sizes - ~24"x24" and 54"x36" cutting area.

GWEIKE 6-in-1 Laser System - Cut • Weld • Clean • Engrave

One platform, six processes: fiber cutting/welding/cleaning/handheld cutting plus CO₂ cutting/engraving. ±0.02 mm repeatability, 54×36 in bed. Get specs & quote.

www.gwklaser.com

 

[Ryan]

Looks like we'll be seeing more of this design hitting the market from other vendors - GWeike is also coming out with one. Intriguing about their design is having a C02 laser built in to the CNC base as well as being able to install the fiber laser head like the XTool. Also they will have two different machine sizes - ~24"x24" and 54"x36" cutting area.

GWEIKE 6-in-1 Laser System - Cut • Weld • Clean • Engrave

One platform, six processes: fiber cutting/welding/cleaning/handheld cutting plus CO₂ cutting/engraving. ±0.02 mm repeatability, 54×36 in bed. Get specs & quote.

www.gwklaser.com

I saw that... I'm gonna my hands on one of the other...

 

[Alcohol]

Interesting to see new welders hitting the market.

I was just thinking that Miller, Hobart and Lincoln are probably going to get left out in the near future except for the industrial guys.

I see not much on Lincoln, local or online. Hobart has one rendition of Tig welder available and Miller has about priced themselves out of the home shop/DIYer garage market.

I'm constantly seeing brands like Arccaptain getting exposure on more than one YouTube channel. These aren't home shop but actual Fab and Repair shops. Sending a YouTuber a welder and let them do a honest opinion video is like "word of mouth" advertising. It's also a permanent commercial that will be around for years, not a monthly magazine ad tossed in the trash or TV spot...30 seconds and gone.


Hopefully you get a video of it getting used. I'd be curious.

Miller has came out with one now but you need a good banker to afford it

 

[slowtwitch73]

^^ blue paint is expensive.

 

[paranoid56]

I want one, for 14k for the cnc cuter setup its not a bad deal. it shows it cutting 1/4" steel. but i cant find specs on cut speed, what kind of gas needed for what kind of material, gas consumption for cutting. all those details lol

 

[ebcohn]

I’ve got a fresh relationship with xTool if you will... In fact, I’m expecting a CO2 laser to land on my doorstep any day now, humming with power and potential. But while sniffing around their catalog, I stumbled onto something that stopped me cold:

https://www.xtool.com/pages/xtool-metalfab-presale

I’m no stranger to welding. I’ve burned my fair share of metal with both MIG and TIG setups... But this? Laser welding and cutting, aimed at home shops? That’s new terrain. This isn’t some industrial monster locked behind OSHA doors—this is a clean, surgical death ray for your garage.

And if this isn't just marketing hype—this machine could really change some things. No fumes, no sunburns, no buzz of chaos. Just precision. Control. Clean, godlike welds and razor-cut steel from a machine that supposedly takes fifteen minutes to master. Fifteen. Hell, I’ve spent longer figuring out how to un-jam my office printer. And there’s YouTube footage to prove it: amateurs stacking perfect dimes like seasoned pipe welders on government jobs.

Starts at five grand for the 800W setup and climbs to $14K for the full-blown 1200W war machine. That’s a lot of coin for thin stock work, no doubt—but xTool has a reputation for delivering solid gear, and I’m inclined to believe there’s some meat on this bone.

The CNC angle only makes it more tempting. One machine to weld, cut, and possibly dominate the known universe with minimal setup time and less mental wear and tear? Sounds like the future… or at least a damn fine way to avoid grinding welds at 2 a.m. with whiskey breath and bloodshot eyes.

So I’m throwing it out there—any of you grizzled welders have hands-on experience with laser welding? Is this thing the revolution being promised?

Either way, I’m interested. Wildly. Let’s hear it.

Ordered one. Excited to get it but can’t find out what outlet I need to install. Not amperage. That’s easy. What if the NEMA plug that the machine uses. Thanks

 

[Xti04]

Stopped by a buddies house last night to pick up my new boat numbers he made me. He works for Thunder laser and has 5 different cnc lasers in his garage. Each one is tuned for different materials, and the biggest has a bed thats probably 3x4 ft. Its impressive to see the things he churns out with these machines, but he seems doubtful of the capabilities of the Xtool as a welder. Seeing as he is the most knowledgeable laser guy I know, I tend to take his advice. He also had the new Bambu dual head printer in there and its massive next to his x1c. Look forward to hearing from someone here with real experience on this machine as a welder. I dont doubt its ability to cut at all.

 

[Mainiac Mat]

Another "deal" .... so tempting.

 

[y'sguy]

Heck with the laser welder, this is the Multi-tool I would be interested in owning.

 

[RichieP_MechE]

The facebook marketplace gods have smiled upon me. Bought this from a couple who purchased it for their sign making business but didn't have room for it as their new garage shop (that was supposed to be built this summer) is still incomplete. They valued the floor space this occupied more than the unit itself so I got it for a decent price. Never even turned on. Will report back once I get it up and running.

 

[Beerhippie]

Heck with the laser welder, this is the Multi-tool I would be interested in owning.

Much better at taking things apart than building them.

 

[JonBoehman]

+1

All the laser welding equipment I worked on was fully enclosed and safety switches on the panels. If we bypassed them to do setup we had to clear the area on post lookout to keep anyone from wondering in the area. Any one in the area was wearing the glasses.

Even safety interlocks are not fool proof

When I was a young Lcpl in the marines one pitch black night I was on the tow crew driving the tug at a CAX exercise in 29 stumps.



The AH-1W super cobras 20mm gatling gun laser (red arrow) has a fairly low power (no where near welding power or even catching paper on fire like the main targeting laser would, blue arrow) IR laser for the pilots to see where the gun is pointing thru their night vision googles.

This gun/laser is pointing at the back of the tug drivers head. As the rest of the crew was attaching the wheels to the skids one member flipped the main power switch and lights for towing at night. As i was looking back I kept seeing this faint glow in one particular spot and couldn't figure out what it was but finally dawned on me that it was the laser.

I reported it as you were supposed to and the Warrant officer in the avionics shop told me that there was no way I could see that laser as it wasn't visible and it was impossible for it to be on as the skid tubes had safety switches that disarm it when they are sprung due to weight.

So instead of getting some NVG's to check he marches out to the Cobra and proceeds to look directly into the lasers path. He jumps back and says exclaims that it was on and you could faintly see it. The safety switches had been mis wired at the last depot maintenance and the laser was on any time the main power was on.

The next day (and every few weeks after) have our eyes checked by an optometrist that specialized in cases of being lased. Luckily I had very little burning on my retina that all healed. The doctor thought that the plate glass on the cab of the tug deflected enough of it to minimize the damage. The Warrant Officer had permanent scaring on his retina and lost acuity in his vision unfortunately.

I don't know if it was true (he wasn't one to BS) but some of our Gunny was a young plane captain when the Marines first received the Night targeting system upgrades to the Super cobra in 93 or 94. He told me several people were blinded when pilots on the ground were familiarizing themselves with the main targeting laser/range finder including a motorist that was driving on the far side of the airfield as they were following his car as a target.

What years and Squadron were you in? I was in Pendleton from 92-98 HMLA-369 and HMLA-169 The bird in the pic was a post 2000 modded Whiskey. Yes Those FLIR units would damage the eyes. I have scarred retinas from them myself probably from both the Hueys and Cobras.

 

[KwikFab]

Even the PEQ2's were enough to damage one's eyes.

I run one on one of my M4 clone civilian rifles for nightshoots with a set of MOD3's and they're crazy bright on low power even.

 

[Firebrick43]

What years and Squadron were you in? I was in Pendleton from 92-98 HMLA-369 and HMLA-169 The bird in the pic was a post 2000 modded Whiskey. Yes Those FLIR units would damage the eyes. I have scarred retinas from them myself probably from both the Hueys and Cobras.

99-04 at HMLA 267

 

[PCMusicGuy]

My XLaserlab X1 Pro just came in. I'll hopefully be able to unbox it and check it out soon.

 

[VR6ix]

I don't mind Aaron's 6061.com vids at all as he has progressed over the years. This popped up: