I love the way you do the videos. You are knowledgeable, go at a pace that I can work alongside, and do it from a viewpoint that can be seen (a lot of people do not do this). The other thing I like is that while you are super knowledgeable and giving great instruction, you don't make me feel like an idiot. Thank you for the good videos. Also love your ETSY liste jigs!
Hello, been following you for sometime now. Can you do a video on setting up the P2 to work with lightburn. I attempted that today and did not work as I thought it should.
OMG, thank you so much!! You are a great instructor...I've had my P2 for about a month now and knew cleaning was necessary, but haven't come across much of anything on it yet. My lens was DISGUSTING! 😆thank you for saving me from future headaches!!
Another tip for CO2 lasers is to use the laser at least once or twice a week to keep the tube charged for the laser. If prolonged storage or no usage of the laser the laser tube will lose the charge over time. Glass tubes last about 2-4 years depending on usage.
Hey Sam! I bought your test templates and love them. Thank you for all the help. Now that I have my settings dialed in, it is time to tear the machine apart and clean it. Great job explaining the process and emphasizing daily maintenance. I am going to practice these techniques daily now
I noticed that you cleaned the 2 mirrors in the front of the machine. I am wondering how often you clean the mirror that is located in the back with the Laser tube? I opened my machine up on the back and cleaned that mirror also. Just not a fan of how clunky the back cover goes off and on. Sow worried it is going to crack or break while removing or replacing it. Thanks
Hey Sam thank you for showing us how to clean the machine. If I made asking a few questions that I have not been able to find the answers to. Well first of all I hadn’t clean my machine liked you shown. Second I have trouble seeing like the entire bed of the machine, is this normal? Also I was having trouble with it cutting equally. On the left side of the machine is cuts super clean but as it moves to the right the cuts are not as clean and most of the time the right side it not cutting all the way through. Do you know why? And the last thing is that for some reason the material has been moving and this causes the machine to jam and now it’s making a terrible noise. And I don’t know what to do and if it fixable. PLEASE HELP
Great video. Curious to know your thoughts on the Zeiss Lens Wipes. The are soaked in alcohol and made for optics. Obviously they wont work everywhere but looks like a feasible alternative.
Loved the video with great guidance. I have the hardest time to disconnect the little hose, so I am afraid to mess something up. My P2 is brandnew ... is it just hard to pull it out the first few times ? I really do not want to break anything ... your advice is much appreciated ! Thank you !!!!
Good day, I've heard/read somewhere that alcohol can damage the lens and mirrors and that it's better to use solution that's also used on glasses. Do you know anything about that?
Sam, I went in and did exactly as you said to clean my lens followed your instructions to a T. Now, I tried to cut a project, and I'm not getting anything, not a burn, nothing. It's not leaving any type of contact with the wood. What did I do wrong?
GREAT Video!! Very helpful! However, you didn't clean the most difficult mirror on the machine - the one under the back cover at the laser output. That one is a BEAR to get to because you have to remove the entire rear top cover to expose the laser emitter tube. I just did mine last week and was very surprised how filthy the rear reflector was!! It was almost as bad as the gantry mirrors!! To access that one you need to remove the FIVE screws along the rear of the machine and the SIX HIDDEN screws at the very top of the gantry area, hidden under the lid's rear lip. Pull the cover off the rear and the mirror is on the side right by the coolant tank. It's secured exactly the same as the other two mirrors and mine has an alignment pin. I was thinking about leaving the six hidden screws out since they are somewhat annoying to work with but wound up putting them back in. I use Zeiss glasses lens wipes to clean my P2's mirrors. Those are special lens cloths soaked in very high purity rubbing alcohol. They will not scratch, are individually wrapped to prevent contamination, and are rather inexpensive from Sam's Club. Again, great video! Thank you for the tutorial!
Depends on whether you move the mirror adjustments. I discovered I needed to calibrate when I clean the back mirror. Pay very close attention to the Xtool instructions about placement of both the back and 2nd mirror. Make sure the convex side of the lens is sticking up when you put it back. It makes a world of difference in your engraving and cuts when you keep them all clean. The new software changes seems to make it difficult when you're pulse marks are WAY OFF. Move the mirrors to their closest position and work your way outward.
You left out cleaning of the mirror in the back of the machine. It's located near the coolant reservoir. It too gets residue buildup since it's near the exhaust fan, but doesn't need to be cleaned as often as the mirror near the laser head.
Do you recommend having replacement mirrors and lenses onhand or do these last a long time? Do you have a video on any requirements for the cooling system? Im considering the P2 but trying to do my due diligence first to make sure i know what im in for.
I clean mine as well, just in case. Might as well since you're already cleaning. The mirror placement is specific so be certain to align it back as you removed it.
Thank you for the info! I was a little unsure how to upkeep the laser and feel much better after your video. Do you ever need to clean the third back mirror?
I should have shown that process, but cleaning it will not be needed as much... so long as you use the exhaust fan and an inline duct fan to always extract smoke and vapors from the machine.
Should the smoke smudging (fingerprint) be completely removed? Mine was reduced but I can't seem to get it completely clean? Do I need to replace it? Thanks for the great video!
The third mirror was cleaned at setup, but is otherwise not exposed to the fumes hardly at all compared to the others. To clean that one, you remove the rear back cover (about 12 screws). I cleaned the camera lenses, just skipped putting that in great detail in this already long video for the process. I wipe down the interior of the machine often with micro fiber cloths and such.
Wow Sam I had no Idea you had to do this every time! I guess I’m super spoiled with the Shapoko ! Are any of these laser engravers you have been demoing less work to maintain?
You don't have to do this every time. I've got plenty of cuts on mine and have yet to clean it. It may help, but it's definitely still working as expected without additional cleaning. I will be doing this soon though to make sure I get a long life out of things.
I'm loath to admit that I don't clean my Co2 laser nearly as often as I should.. One thing that you didin't mention in the 'how often' section, a dirty lens or mirror can actually be damaged by the laser, resulting in pricy repairs.. I'd also mention that when choosing your gloves to wear, make SURE they aren't the powdered variety. As always though, great advice on (what should be, I need to do better, lol) routine maintenance.. I'm not sure about the x-tool, but with my Co2, you can possibly put the lens back in upside down, which affects power a good bit. I'd always make sure to be aware of the lens orientation when removing/replacing.
While I don't actually have an Xtool laser, don't they have 3 mirrors like most others? There's usually one on the head gantry, one on the left side of the gantry, and another in the back at the end of the laser tube? I haven't gone back to look at the video, but did I miss you cleaning that, or does the xtool not have/require that?
@@heffe2001 It does have a third mirror. The one at the end of the laser tube has four orientation points. The mirror will operate properly when reinstalled 90, 180, or 270 degrees from the position it was in prior to removal.
The convex side of a laser lens should be facing up. The laser beam needs to pass through the curved part of the lens first. Western and Korean laser machines always have the convex side up. Chinese laser machines used to set the convex side down.@@heffe2001
Hey sam. I have a single wide and found your content and absolutely love it! I was hoping to be able to ask if yall did crown molding in there? Or are planning to?
hello, i dont know if you know the answer but i have a question about the lifespan of this machine, what do i do after the roughly 10000 hours? is the machine just a piece of furniture or i can replace something? thanks
It is solar, yes, but that does not run my whole shop anymore. My demands are beyond the input from my PV array. The BLUETTI runs all of my lights (quite a bit for video work), fans, and several other small things.
The convex side of a laser lens should be facing up. The laser beam needs to pass through the curved part of the lens first. Western and Korean laser machines always have the convex side up. Chinese laser machines used to set the convex side down.
Did you get a pre-release machine, or did you order in the initial batch? If so, when did you order? Trying to figure out when I should expect mine; with my luck it will be the 5 days when I’m gone picking up my youngest from college!
If helpful, I ordered mine April 23rd and when I emailed them they said "It should ship before June 10th".... Really looking forward to getting mine too!
@@Dustywebs While my P2 arrived last Thursday, I'm still waiting on all of the accessories. The major factor in my decision for a P2 over an OMTech unit with a larger base cutting area was the automatic feed. Customer service can't even provide an estimated ship date for the items on back order.
@@Samcraftcom Thank you! I was doing it quickly (kids had hockey practice) and wasn't sure. it's cutting, so I am going with I got it right. Thank you for the response and the awesome video!
While the top and sides are more than adequately padded for shipping, the feet of the machine sit directly on the cardboard box. If I were a betting man, then I'd place my money on any misalignment being caused by rough handling during shipping and not improper assembly at the factory since every unit is subjected to testing. p.s. - While every P2 is supposed to be thoroughly cleaned after factory testing, my P2 didn't get enough attention in this area. There was a fair amount of residue along the front and rear cover seals. It also had two minor scratches. Since those first scratches are out of the way I can treat it like a piece of production machinery instead of a decoration for my shop.
Thank you for the time to show how to maintain my XTool. Your video explained it very well.
I love the way you do the videos. You are knowledgeable, go at a pace that I can work alongside, and do it from a viewpoint that can be seen (a lot of people do not do this). The other thing I like is that while you are super knowledgeable and giving great instruction, you don't make me feel like an idiot. Thank you for the good videos. Also love your ETSY liste jigs!
Hello, been following you for sometime now. Can you do a video on setting up the P2 to work with lightburn. I attempted that today and did not work as I thought it should.
Thank you for providing instructions even this 74 year old Gramma loved!!
OMG, thank you so much!! You are a great instructor...I've had my P2 for about a month now and knew cleaning was necessary, but haven't come across much of anything on it yet. My lens was DISGUSTING! 😆thank you for saving me from future headaches!!
Another tip for CO2 lasers is to use the laser at least once or twice a week to keep the tube charged for the laser. If prolonged storage or no usage of the laser the laser tube will lose the charge over time. Glass tubes last about 2-4 years depending on usage.
Wow, what a great video! I’m off to peruse your entire channel for all things xtool!
Hey Sam! I bought your test templates and love them. Thank you for all the help. Now that I have my settings dialed in, it is time to tear the machine apart and clean it. Great job explaining the process and emphasizing daily maintenance. I am going to practice these techniques daily now
Awesome! Happy to help!
Thanks!
Happy to help! Thank you!
Thank You! Needed to clean my p2, found your video of instructions very helpful, to the point, good to follow along with.
I noticed that you cleaned the 2 mirrors in the front of the machine. I am wondering how often you clean the mirror that is located in the back with the Laser tube? I opened my machine up on the back and cleaned that mirror also. Just not a fan of how clunky the back cover goes off and on. Sow worried it is going to crack or break while removing or replacing it. Thanks
really looking forward to getting one eventually. this has been a great video on what to expect for maintenance.
OK, so what if I lost track of the lens orientation. How do I know if I guessed right?
Exceptional instructions!
Hey just wanted to say thanks for sharing this info, really helped me out.
Hey Sam thank you for showing us how to clean the machine. If I made asking a few questions that I have not been able to find the answers to. Well first of all I hadn’t clean my machine liked you shown. Second I have trouble seeing like the entire bed of the machine, is this normal? Also I was having trouble with it cutting equally. On the left side of the machine is cuts super clean but as it moves to the right the cuts are not as clean and most of the time the right side it not cutting all the way through. Do you know why? And the last thing is that for some reason the material has been moving and this causes the machine to jam and now it’s making a terrible noise. And I don’t know what to do and if it fixable. PLEASE HELP
The convex mirror for the output. Is it curve side up? Or curve side down?
Great video. Curious to know your thoughts on the Zeiss Lens Wipes. The are soaked in alcohol and made for optics. Obviously they wont work everywhere but looks like a feasible alternative.
Loved the video with great guidance. I have the hardest time to disconnect the little hose, so I am afraid to mess something up. My P2 is brandnew ... is it just hard to pull it out the first few times ? I really do not want to break anything ... your advice is much appreciated ! Thank you !!!!
Good day,
I've heard/read somewhere that alcohol can damage the lens and mirrors and that it's better to use solution that's also used on glasses. Do you know anything about that?
Your amazing. Thx.
My laser power is less then it was. When i cut a multiplex 3.6mm I need to put the cutting at 90-12. Any Idea?
thank you very much for these instructions !
Sam, I went in and did exactly as you said to clean my lens followed your instructions to a T. Now, I tried to cut a project, and I'm not getting anything, not a burn, nothing. It's not leaving any type of contact with the wood. What did I do wrong?
Is there a video for cleaning the fan?
GREAT Video!! Very helpful!
However, you didn't clean the most difficult mirror on the machine - the one under the back cover at the laser output. That one is a BEAR to get to because you have to remove the entire rear top cover to expose the laser emitter tube.
I just did mine last week and was very surprised how filthy the rear reflector was!! It was almost as bad as the gantry mirrors!!
To access that one you need to remove the FIVE screws along the rear of the machine and the SIX HIDDEN screws at the very top of the gantry area, hidden under the lid's rear lip. Pull the cover off the rear and the mirror is on the side right by the coolant tank. It's secured exactly the same as the other two mirrors and mine has an alignment pin.
I was thinking about leaving the six hidden screws out since they are somewhat annoying to work with but wound up putting them back in.
I use Zeiss glasses lens wipes to clean my P2's mirrors. Those are special lens cloths soaked in very high purity rubbing alcohol. They will not scratch, are individually wrapped to prevent contamination, and are rather inexpensive from Sam's Club.
Again, great video! Thank you for the tutorial!
First?! Thanks for the video! I’d been wondering what maintenance is going to be like. I feel much more prepared.
Do you have to calibrate it after you do this routine maintenance?
Depends on whether you move the mirror adjustments. I discovered I needed to calibrate when I clean the back mirror. Pay very close attention to the Xtool instructions about placement of both the back and 2nd mirror. Make sure the convex side of the lens is sticking up when you put it back. It makes a world of difference in your engraving and cuts when you keep them all clean. The new software changes seems to make it difficult when you're pulse marks are WAY OFF. Move the mirrors to their closest position and work your way outward.
Sam how do u know which way is the right side up on yellow Lense
You left out cleaning of the mirror in the back of the machine. It's located near the coolant reservoir. It too gets residue buildup since it's near the exhaust fan, but doesn't need to be cleaned as often as the mirror near the laser head.
You are correct!
True... but it does rarely need cleaning in comparison
Do you recommend having replacement mirrors and lenses onhand or do these last a long time? Do you have a video on any requirements for the cooling system? Im considering the P2 but trying to do my due diligence first to make sure i know what im in for.
Do I need to clean the exhaust vents ,other than wiping it down, like taking anything apart??
How often do you clean the lens that is inside the back chamber? Do you have a maintenance schedule you could share? Thank you!
I clean mine as well, just in case. Might as well since you're already cleaning. The mirror placement is specific so be certain to align it back as you removed it.
Hey sam can i consult you to setup a p2 online on video as what am doing isnt working and x tool customer care isnt responding ?
What about the 3rd mirror in the back?
Thank you for the info! I was a little unsure how to upkeep the laser and feel much better after your video. Do you ever need to clean the third back mirror?
I should have shown that process, but cleaning it will not be needed as much... so long as you use the exhaust fan and an inline duct fan to always extract smoke and vapors from the machine.
@@Samcraftcom thanks for the reply! I'll keep it on a slower rate of cleaning compared to the others then.
THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO, SAM! Super helpful!
You're so welcome!
Thank you! Super helpful!
Thank you so much! Great video. 😂
Should the smoke smudging (fingerprint) be completely removed? Mine was reduced but I can't seem to get it completely clean? Do I need to replace it? Thanks for the great video!
I repeated the clean process with alcohol with microfiber cloth and it eventually cleaned completely off.
Good evening sir, does it have to be a Foam tip q-tip or can it be cotton?
Also, how often do you need to fill the water tank in the back?
Great job and thank you.
When are you going to do more CNC Router video?
Thanks for the video @samcraft is there a reason you don't clean the third mirror at the back of the machine or the camera lenses?
The third mirror was cleaned at setup, but is otherwise not exposed to the fumes hardly at all compared to the others. To clean that one, you remove the rear back cover (about 12 screws). I cleaned the camera lenses, just skipped putting that in great detail in this already long video for the process. I wipe down the interior of the machine often with micro fiber cloths and such.
Wow Sam I had no Idea you had to do this every time! I guess I’m super spoiled with the Shapoko ! Are any of these laser engravers you have been demoing less work to maintain?
You don't have to do this every time. I've got plenty of cuts on mine and have yet to clean it. It may help, but it's definitely still working as expected without additional cleaning. I will be doing this soon though to make sure I get a long life out of things.
Very helpful!!
I'm loath to admit that I don't clean my Co2 laser nearly as often as I should.. One thing that you didin't mention in the 'how often' section, a dirty lens or mirror can actually be damaged by the laser, resulting in pricy repairs.. I'd also mention that when choosing your gloves to wear, make SURE they aren't the powdered variety. As always though, great advice on (what should be, I need to do better, lol) routine maintenance.. I'm not sure about the x-tool, but with my Co2, you can possibly put the lens back in upside down, which affects power a good bit. I'd always make sure to be aware of the lens orientation when removing/replacing.
And I see at about 8 minutes you mention lens orientation, lol. I kind of figured you would, but it definitely bears repeating..
While I don't actually have an Xtool laser, don't they have 3 mirrors like most others? There's usually one on the head gantry, one on the left side of the gantry, and another in the back at the end of the laser tube? I haven't gone back to look at the video, but did I miss you cleaning that, or does the xtool not have/require that?
@@heffe2001 It does have a third mirror. The one at the end of the laser tube has four orientation points. The mirror will operate properly when reinstalled 90, 180, or 270 degrees from the position it was in prior to removal.
flat side up or down?@@heffe2001
The convex side of a laser lens should be facing up. The laser beam needs to pass through the curved part of the lens first.
Western and Korean laser machines always have the convex side up. Chinese laser machines used to set the convex side down.@@heffe2001
Hey sam. I have a single wide and found your content and absolutely love it! I was hoping to be able to ask if yall did crown molding in there? Or are planning to?
Thanks brother man, great videos and information.
Do you usually re calibrate it after cleaning?
I've not found any reason to do so yet, no.
@@Samcraftcom ahh not sure it was coincidental but after I cleaned my mirrors & lens, my auto measure has been sooo off
hello, i dont know if you know the answer but i have a question about the lifespan of this machine, what do i do after the roughly 10000 hours? is the machine just a piece of furniture or i can replace something? thanks
That's the average lifespan of the CO2 tube in the back. You can buy replacements and keep on going. :)
Do you ever vacuum your machine?
Do you need to clean the mirror in the back near the antifreeze? If so, how often?
Far less often than the rest
Great teacher! Thanks
What XTool is the black unit? Haven’t seen that one before.
The xTool P2?
Outstanding, thank you
Awesome video 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙
Great info Sam. Have you tried curved material engraving yet. And did they send conveyor to you
I've not tried that yet, but will be testing it out. I do also have the riser base and conveyor, yes. Lots more to learn and share!
Sam, are you running off of solar with that Bluetti setup?
It is solar, yes, but that does not run my whole shop anymore. My demands are beyond the input from my PV array. The BLUETTI runs all of my lights (quite a bit for video work), fans, and several other small things.
HELP!! After cleaning this my xtool is not burning. It will engrave but not leave the burnt color. Please help!!
Double check that your mirrors are sitting like they should and that your lens did not get installed upside down.
How often should you clean the lenses?
It depends on usage/hours of machine runtime. I like to do mine weekly in slow times, or nearly daily in high production times.
Can I use 91% alcohol? or does it have to be the 70%?
That should be fine. :)
Nice piece of equipment
The convex side of a laser lens should be facing up. The laser beam needs to pass through the curved part of the lens first.
Western and Korean laser machines always have the convex side up. Chinese laser machines used to set the convex side down.
Great job!!
Thank you!
Thanks Sam
great video thanks
You got to clean!!!
nice thanks Sam-
Subscribed!!
Premium content! Thank you! :)
Glad it was helpful!
Clean your exhaust vents too while you're at it :-)
Did you get a pre-release machine, or did you order in the initial batch? If so, when did you order? Trying to figure out when I should expect mine; with my luck it will be the 5 days when I’m gone picking up my youngest from college!
This is not a pre-release machine, but one of the first customer batches. I was adamant to NOT get any beta or prototype machine.
@@Samcraftcom I don’t blame you! Very much looking forward to mine. Thanks for the tips!
If helpful, I ordered mine April 23rd and when I emailed them they said "It should ship before June 10th".... Really looking forward to getting mine too!
@@Dustywebs While my P2 arrived last Thursday, I'm still waiting on all of the accessories. The major factor in my decision for a P2 over an OMTech unit with a larger base cutting area was the automatic feed. Customer service can't even provide an estimated ship date for the items on back order.
Good
Okay, I will do this every day, I will do this every day, I will do this every day ...
noice
CRAP! How do we know if the lens is the right or wrong way?!?!?!
The curved side faces up. :)
@@Samcraftcom Thank you! I was doing it quickly (kids had hockey practice) and wasn't sure. it's cutting, so I am going with I got it right. Thank you for the response and the awesome video!
So the convex side of lens goes up? It’s hard to tell the convex side! Any tips?
Welp, I have a bad feeling. If the rails and gantry aren't squaring up right, then the machine itself must not be assembled square 😮
While the top and sides are more than adequately padded for shipping, the feet of the machine sit directly on the cardboard box. If I were a betting man, then I'd place my money on any misalignment being caused by rough handling during shipping and not improper assembly at the factory since every unit is subjected to testing.
p.s. - While every P2 is supposed to be thoroughly cleaned after factory testing, my P2 didn't get enough attention in this area. There was a fair amount of residue along the front and rear cover seals. It also had two minor scratches. Since those first scratches are out of the way I can treat it like a piece of production machinery instead of a decoration for my shop.
It's not hard to square up the machine though. I think they all get banged around in shipping too much. Mine was delivered on it's side...
👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
You forgot a mirror.
Nobody does this clean everyday.
it is very expensive.
The price had to be half the money.
when they realize it will be too late.