Xtool D1 20w pro
Simply a great laser machine.
Quick and clean work everytime
Review of the Xtool D1 Pro 20 Watt Diode laser complete with RA2 rotary attachment
The Xtool D1 20w Pro is one of the most talked about diode engravers. With the 4-in1 kit, you get a 20 Watt laser which is brilliant for cutting and engraving materials such as wood, coloured acrylic, leather.
also in the pro kit you get their RA2 rotary attachment that has four ways to use.
Specs
Unboxing and First Impressions
Assembling
Software
Safety Note
Test Cuts and Engravings
My verdict
Useful links
Tech Specs – Xtool D1 20w Pro with RA2 4in1 attachment
Laser Output Power 20W (10W is also available to purchase)
Max. Engraving Speed 400 mm/s (15.75 in/s)
Working Area 430 x 390 mm (16.93 x 15.35 in)
Weight 5 kg (11 lbs)
Max. Workpiece Height 50 mm (2 in) *can be extended with risers supplied in this version.
Operating Software LightBurn or Xtool Creative Space (Xtool own software)
Input voltage AC100-240V, 50/60Hz
One Year warranty and helpful Facebook groups dedicated to the D1 20w pro
Unboxing and First Impressions
The D1 20w Pro arrived in one box which was well Protective foam inserts separate all the components. The first thing you will see are two black envelopes and a black box.
In envelope One. you will find the manual, a quick-start guide and a small book with project ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
The second envelope is a set of sample materials. And to be honest this has everything you need to get you started, Xtool really thought about this and wanted you to experience their laser engraver as soon as you could. This includes Wood, acrylic, rubber mat for cutting out stamps to use with the ink pad also included. Cork board, Metal business cards. And a sheet of metal to place under the laser to protect your worktop/floor.
And in the black box is the RA2. 4 in 1 rotary attachment. again all protected with foam and comes with its own manual. I will be reviewing this separately.
Below this is another layer with all the other parts. The first thing that smack you in the face is the colour, It is beautiful red anodized aluminium of the frame. I would even go as far as saying what a sexy colour.
Anyway moving on. In this layer apart from the frame is the laser head, protection glasses in their own case, tool box containing all the screws, screwdriver cable ties. in fact the only thing that Xtool have not included is the scissors. Now everyone owns a pair of them anyway right?
Assembling
Assembling the frame. 1st step Open the manual and i couldn't ask for a more detailed manual, And all Screws are colour coded and shown in the manual.
*sorry Ady no excuse for messing this up*
Ok i just got everything out of the box to make it easier for me, i laid the frame out and put all the colour code screws next to each corner, I the proceeded to build the square frame.
Everything just lines up perfectly no forcing the holes to line up.
Now to add the gantry which is a lovely gold colour with stainless still glides and roller.
In the manual it says to slide the y axis to the front of the frame, But I found sliding it to the back was better for me as i did not to risk damaging the main control motherboard.
just slide them all the way to the back and screw in the last few remaining screws ( again colour coded.
Frame complete. just slot in the laser module and tighten the belts that pulls the gantry and laser.
Now to plug in the cables (just a quick word to the wise, make sure they are connecting the right way. there is no need to force anything in this build)
Talking about cable Xtool have really tried to hide them out of sight. which I appreciate as I hate cables sticking up in the air or just looking a mess, thank you Xtool.
Time to complete
I took my time during assembly as i didn't want to scratch the paintwork . In total, I needed about 1 hour but it would have been quicker if i just stopped looking at it.
And the fact i had to run everything pass my supervisor (Our dog Dottie) after her final sniff to check everything was sliding smoothly it was time to take the gorgeous looking D1 20w pro out to the big wide world, or as i like to call it the workshop.
Software
Xtool offers their own software called Xtool Creative Studio (XCS) to operate the laser. which is really easy to use if your new to laser engraving, just follow the link in the manual or at the bottom of this review to download the software.
If you want to try other software then there is Lightburn (30 day trial)
PLEASE NOTE. You will have to download Xtool xcs before you start as it will download the latest firmware or your D1 pro, Simple to do, just insert the supplied micro SD card in the card slot, run xcs and click update, leave it to do its thing which isn't long at all depending on your internet.
ok now you should be good to go. if you decide to use Xtool xcs software then you have an option to use USB cable or not to use USB cable. that's right the D1 20w pro comes with WIFI **which only works with their xcs program so far.**
no more ugly USB cables dragging along your worktops
Lets talk about the laser.
There are two options in the D1 pro range a 10w or a 20w. I was blessed with a 20w.
10w lasers ok they do what they are designed for, but to me a 20w equal less passes and and gets the job done a little quicker.
The laser module also comes in this sexy red colour, complete with a red eye shield.
on the laser you have two little levers, one is so you can raise the whole module up and down with ease, the second lever is the Precise focus adjustment which enables thicker cuts by raising or lowering the laser module according to the material's thickness, great idea.
The actual accuracy of the laser is down to 0.01mm.
It is faster and more detailed then ever.
Lastly the Laser module comes with a red crosshair which will help you get your products square and in line.
Extra safety
Apart from the eye protection shield you also get a decent pair of glasses in it's own very snazzy case.
smoke alarm built in. so if you burn your product an alarm will sound alerting you to the issue (although it is not recommend to leave your laser alone when its doing it's thing)
Xtool have even produced a fire extinguisher ( sold separately) which will put out any flames and hopefully save your laser module, your home or more importantly your life
Please wear your safety glasses you only get one set of eyes
even just the flashing reflection coming from under the laser module shield can cause damage to your eyes, even pets.
sorry to bang on about this but if you burn your eye balls out how can you laser engrave on you D1 20w pro ??????
Test Cuts and Engravings
OK down to business, I am happy that everything is put together properly and i have my glasses ready to put on, Now it time to test a few burns.
The 455nm blue laser of the Xtool D1 20w Pro should have no difficulty marking most objects, Apart of course clear acrylic. the light just passes through.
Cardboard
I started my test using materials that require the least power to mark, I like to build up the suspense.
A simple X with Xtool written through it. 20% power and speed 1200 on Lightburn
ok that was easy and quick. Glad of that or else no point in carrying on with the rest of the test.
5/5
Now to cut on 3mm cardboard with 100% power and slower speed.
Like a knife through butter albeit a Smokey butter.
5/5
Plywood
A quick clip art picture of some buffalos and why not.
power 60% speed 1200.
ok should have either sped it up or reduce power as it went a little deeper than i thought.
my bad just getting to grips with a new laser engraver.
5/5
Cutting 4mm ply
100% power and slow speed and again no problem for making puzzles for the kids.
5/5
Ceramic tile (beige colour)
A parrot should do nicely.
power 60% speed 2000 looks great again i could have got away with less power or speed, But i guess this is why we do test files.
5/5
Black Acrylic 6mm
power 100% speed 1000
well that cut a perfect circle which also tells me my belts are tensioned just right too.
again remember diode wont cut or mark clear acrylic.
however you can't paint it black with kids paint or marking paper and rinse it off afterwards.
5/5
**I will be doing a separate review of the Ra2 rotary attachment as I want to play with the main laser for a bit and hope dial in on the power/speed setting etc.**
Also videos of the D1 20w Pro in action.
My Verdict.
This is my verdict written in my words without any input from Xtool. I can only write what i find and i am in no way compensated for my results and remain impartial.
But please bear in mind this is my findings and it may very from others.
Ok i have a a few hours playing i mean testing this D1 20w pro form Xtool and i have to admit i am very impressed. From opening the box and seeing how wonderfully everything was protected.
My first glance at the frame work, i am sorry but pictures do not do the red justice, Yes i know it don't matter what colour it is as long as it does its job, And this one certainly did that.
Easy to build and setup, no issues at all everything fitted like a glove.
first run couldn't have gone any better and i am already excited about producing more great things with the D1 20w pro.
You just feel professional using this machine even if its your first laser engraver you can not fail to be impressed.
Would I recommend it to the great people of our world?.
Of course i would without a second thought.
Any negatives ?
give me time i am sure i will come up with something, but at this moment in time, NO everything is 100% AWESOME.
Congratulations Xtool for making this old man happy. And that alone is no easy feat.
Reviewed by:
Ady Knight
Some useful links
Xtool d1 20w pro install video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br-gyMjowYM
Thanks to embrace making for the video
Xtool xcs program https://www.xtool.com/pages/software
Xtool Referral link
Buy your d1 20w pro from Xtool
Lightburn software trial
laserlife Facebook group laserlife Facebook group
And our good friends at Cool laser cut vector files. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3465519840338317/
Email us. Laserlife2023@gmail.com
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