Are there any Engraver companies here?

[Minion]

For the last few years around Black Friday I have been looking at laser engravers and every year I pass up the savings.  This year I finally pulled the trigger, picking up the new Xtool F2 which should be here next week! 

I'm steady busy all year long, and completely slammed from August to January.  From end of January until maybe 3rd week of February I slow down.  This is perfect for me to get re organized, caught up and make any adjustments for the new year, but I can do that in a week.  So I wanted something to keep me busy so I figured "lasering" things would be perfect.  

Ideally I care about just making my own merch but could venture into other things. My son who is a senior this year will be learning it with me since this will give him some extra income as he's in school and can't get much work after school since I'm usually done around that time so I think it was a solid investment without breaking the bank.

Just seeing if anyone else here uses one and their experience. 

[rtfulk]

@Minion I have the Xtool F1 and F2, you will love the F2. We use the Xtool mainly for leather patches on caps and beanies. I also use it to make cruise coins to pass out and hide during the cruise. We are leaving on a cruise Sunday, so I am making ornaments also to hide and pass out.  

The next thing you need to purchase is a 3D printer, you will pay for it making your own jigs instead of buying them.

Below are photos of the coin and ornament

[Minion]

Heck yeah @rtfulk .  That's some nice detail on those coins.  A printer has always been in the back of my mind, we'll see how this thing goes first.  Everything came in the other day but it's still sitting in the boxes unopened.  Once I open it, my entire attention span will go to that and I'm just to busy ATM.  But browsing a bunch of videos and guides for the time being so when I do get it all setup, I'll have a very basic understanding.  I feel like a lot of this is going to be trial and error, but should be fun!

[rtfulk]

@Minion Thank You. Did you get the air purifier also? If you did and you get a 3D printer I have made an STL file for the filter housing.  A filter from XTools is 129.00.  You can buy the heapa filters from Amazon for 15.00 and wash the charcoal.  If you have any questions shot me a message and I will try to help you out.  

[Minion]

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@rtfulk wrote:

@Minion Thank You. Did you get the air purifier also? If you did and you get a 3D printer I have made an STL file for the filter housing.  A filter from XTools is 129.00.  You can buy the heapa filters from Amazon for 15.00 and wash the charcoal.  If you have any questions shot me a message and I will try to help you out.  

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I did!  I wasn't going to but I said you know what, Its Winter time now, and I don't feel like venting this outdoors.

Heck yeah , I appreciate that! 

[sacredheart926]

Hey I also am an engraver have the Xtool F1 Ultra! I do custom engraving in-store!

[Minion]

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@sacredheart926 wrote:

Hey I also am an engraver have the Xtool F1 Ultra! I do custom engraving in-store!

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Oh right on!  Yeah this is going to be more for personal /business use and then if my kid decides to take off with it great, if not I can still make my own promo items. 

Do either of you have a good YT video you like on getting started?  I found a couple that I have watched but they were all looking the same.

[sacredheart926]

I have found that watching the videos helped me a little but really what helped me was just trial and error of things! But if you got any questions about it I certainly can help ya out!