Thank you so much for always sharing your videos, I always learn something new 😊

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

6 ай бұрын

Thanks. So glad you enjoy them.

Great video and very helpful! I’m looking to get the P2 laser, and am finding it hard to get a suitable mobile tool box for it. May I ask, what tool box by Husky are you using for yours?

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

2 ай бұрын

Check out home depot and they have several different sizes and colors of these Husky boxes. They are a little tall for this machine but casters can be removed to drop them lower. If your getting the feeder this is not the best solution. Thanks for watching.

Thank you for your video, very helpful. Does the omtech CUT clear acrylic? or just engrave?

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

2 ай бұрын

All Co2 lasers can cut clear acrylic . Thanks for watching.

Great video on a topic I had been looking for. I bought an Omtech Polar Laser Cutter & Engraver, but have not got it running yet. And, by reading some of the Omtech Polar Users group post, I was second guessing on not waiting for the X-Tool P2. But, you have made some great points about the X-Tool I didn't know about and it looks like the Polar was an OK buy after all. I do have the external control panel like you have and also an American Photons quick change lens setup I will be installing. Just one comment, I am wondering why you left the internal exhaust fan in place while you are using the 6" inline fan? I have already removed my internal dn have 3D printed the spacer for where the internal fan was. My people (myself included) believe that the internal fan will restrict the power of the 6" inline fan. And, I agree with you about people seemed to buy these lasers with not knowledge that they will require maintenance and replacement parts. You would think that someone who is willing to spend the $3000 to $5000 these things can cost, would do their homework of ALL the cost involved. Oh well. Once again. thanks for all you videos and looking forward to seeing some more of your wife's crocheted animals and Crocs Collection !!...Charlie in Central Ohio

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

5 ай бұрын

They are both good machines once aligned. The Polar definitely needs a better air assist with low flow for keeping the lense clean when engraving and the camera isn't perfect. I actually prefer the smaller size and light color. These are first generation and most likely will be upgraded in a couple years. The thing about the P2 is lightburn integration and so many proprietary cards and parts should the company quit supporting them. With standard guides, Ruida controller, power supplies, and stepper controllers I think the Polar is more future proof. I left the fan in to keep the internal parts cleaner. it keeps airflow pretty even in the machine even when the radiator fan is running I feel. pulling more air isn't always better I feel. The proper flow to keep particles suspended across the entire machine as designed is more important to me. Your machine should work perfectly out of the box with an alignment and Omtech support is your best friend if there are any issues. I see many decide to go with the larger Omtech machines for less then the cost of the P2, but if you want the feeder and curved capability without lightburn the P2 is the answer. What bothered me is Xtool will not release info on the laser tube and ma for a good comparison. I get emails from buyers that had no idea they need to learn to align, clean, and maintain the machines and it can be daily depending on what material is being worked on. Be careful of what you read on user groups. Lightburn forum and Omtech support are all I use. I refuse to use sites like Facebook that l found bury stuff in your computer and allow companies to buy and spread personal info from every part of your life. Thanks for watching

Very good explanation here. I have not made my decision yet, but I little bit scared of cut quality with the S1. CO2 seems to be far better. Also, I like the idea of the conveyor for larger parts, is there an easy way to make larger part with the polar's passtrough?

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

3 ай бұрын

If you have any plans that include clear acrylic or glass a Co2 is the only answer. The polar feed through is basically useless for larger parts. The S1 also has a conveyor feeder that is made for it. I am told it is not interchangeable with the P1 feeder so I don't have one to try. If you have room, Omtech has some nice offerings with a larger bed and higher power that fall in the P2 price range and are much easier to maintain along with non proprietary parts to future proof your investment and full lightburn compatibility. It's a large investment that should be thought out carefully. Thanks for watching.

@igloosoftware

2 ай бұрын

@@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023 thanks for the answer, could you elaborate on why POlar feeder is useless? Is it because it is very small like 1/4 high and narrow?

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

2 ай бұрын

Yes, the size basically makes it useless for my needs. Should at least accept 20mm.

I have the very similar Monport 55w laser. I also have air Assitance issues. For one it doesn’t seem to blow air but wondering if I could add an external pump to run with the laser. What are you doing to solve the pressure problems??

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

5 ай бұрын

I had no idea Monoport made one like this. Looks like it's made at the same factory. I plan on adding a smalll external pump that's always on to keep crap out of the nozzle when engraving and to reduce the delay when using the main pump. If they would solve that issue with the next generation these would be a perfect starter machine. Thanks for watching.

@jwhiting352

5 ай бұрын

@@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023 thanks for the reply. Would you be willing to show how you made the wiring connections to the board to adapt the controller? I think the Monport 55 could adapt the same thing. Also it would be interesting to see how you will route the blower line in thought the machine when you add the external air pump.

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

5 ай бұрын

@@jwhiting352 There is a video about adding the controller if you search my channel for Polar. Comes with a cable that plugged into my ruida controller. Not sure what controller yours uses so you probably have to open it up and verify it's the same. I am planning the same hose with check valves and run the additional line in the raceway.

@jwhiting352

5 ай бұрын

@@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023 yes I am planing to run the hose as well with what is already there in the race too. What are you doing for a two stage pump and will you connect it to the system board or just manually turn it on / off? I do have the Rudia board.

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

5 ай бұрын

@@jwhiting352 I really am thinking about replacing it and the Xtool P2 with a larger 100 watt machine in the future so I am still on the fence about if I should waste more time on it at this point. I want atleast a 16 x 24 cutting area that has more room for easy maintenance.

Thanks for the video. We have an 80w Omtech that we're learning to run. One question I've had is whether I should trust that the machine cover really does shield your eyes from the laser adequately or not. I don't really trust a Chinese manufacturer to build to good safety standards and I have no way of testing it. What do you think?

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

6 ай бұрын

I have no Idea about that model. You should contact Omtech and ask about the testing data for that cover. They should be able to provide that. I know that most diode lasers require the OD6 orange shade to be safe but Co2 is a different wavelength. I think Omtech is one of the best laser manufacturers of the Chinese lasers but it pays to verify that. I have been thinking about upgrading to that machine for the bed size. Thanks for watching

Hi 👋, UHRC , I hope you are keeping safe and well, It looks and sounds like there is pro and cons with both of them, The big downside to all Chinese made products is the lack of support and availability of spare parts and upgrades, shipping time, and the cost, Did you ever resolve the issue with one of your machines? , You updated the software on it, and you seem to find the machine then run slower., when I was running my business, I have got machines that need servicing once or twice a year, Which probably cost anywhere between hundred 200 £, and the support was very good, Though I did have a problem with one new machine, resetting the calibration, I had to call the service engineer in, but even he couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t go back to 0 settings, he had to phone somebody else, And their comment was that I was too critical on my settings, or when you’ve got a digital read out on your machine and you want to set it at 20.5 mil and you run a piece of timber through it and it comes out at 21.2 to me is not correct, just because I I use a pair of Vernia calipers to measure certain components, and I want the timber to finish at a pacific size, by leaving it as it was it meant every setting I had to adjust the height taken in for the allowance of the offset, and this is not correct, But with some perseverance and keep trying to read and understand the instruction manual, are actually now know how to recalibrate it within a few seconds, But I suppose it’s like everything else when you are working with it 24 seven you then get to understand how to operate these things , but never been any good with computers as such, Great territorial the pros and cons of the two machines , it must keep you busy, 24 seven, I have made a decision about the purchasing one I think I’ll give it a miss , invest in money into a machine that I don’t know how to use, and it will take me a long time to be able to get my head round it, and it needs to be making a profit within 3 to 4 weeks of my purchasing in it, I think it’ll be 3 to 4 years at my rate, look forward to next territorial great fun to watch, stay safe, keep up the great work, hope you both have a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year, Phil from the moulin,

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

6 ай бұрын

Yes these are fairly expensive and do take some time to learn to use. Many buy them to make multiple products that are identical that helps pay for them quickly once the files and settings are worked out. Recently I have gotten emails from several buyers that didn’t look into the maintenance and repairs when buying and it doesn't sound like some want to deal with it or weren't really capable of handling it. I wanted to stress with any machines from China, there can be downtime with some wait for support and parts. They both have pluses and minuses with full Lightburn implementation seeming to be required for those upgrading from diode lasers. Sounds like it would be best for you to start by doing what you are familiar with first and see where that takes you. There are so many laser made products online that are hard to compete with. Thanks for watching

@philvale5724

6 ай бұрын

Hi 👋, thanks for the reply, considering I was just a one-man band in respect, My joinery shop business, Was very large, considering I was just one little bloke in a very large workshop, It was an old long grain barn, about 8 m wide and about 30+ metres long, Plus the space where I could actually drive in with my van and park up to load and unload if it was raining, And if I needed a tool or a piece of machinery that I think I could actually do the job quicker, I would think nothing about going out and buying it, I remember on one occasion I had 10+ doors to make and door frames, They were in the Georgian style, but with high security locks and hinge systems on, it will take me approximately 4 to 5 hours to fit one, So I went out and bought a special lock chain Mortis machine, made by Mafell cost around £2700, it only took a few minutes to set up, And a few minutes to mark up the side of the door, and you could mortise all the holes for the lock mechanism to go in and around total of less than five minutes, This first job, of a batch of doors of 10, I had them all lined up in my workshop, and it took me less than 15 minutes with this machine to cut all the mortise locks in, this is where I feel like I need to be working, I feel sad not being able to do anything, at present, I do not have the space, Money that was supposed to be released to me this week doesn’t look like it’s going to be now until in the New Year, And I will not be able to restore my garage, i.e. put a new floor down and finish off Roof, because of bad weather mainly frost, Sorry I gambling on a bit , Hope you both have a great Christmas, look forward to seeing you next territorial, Phil from the moulin

So what was the extra cost for the controller?

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

5 ай бұрын

About $150 from Amazon or $100 if you buy directly from China. Omtech should offer it as an option. Thanks for watching.

$$$$

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

6 ай бұрын

Yes they are. Thanks for watching.

For the price difference I just can’t see the reason for it. For the cost of the X tool you can get a much better machine

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

4 ай бұрын

It is twice the price with the rotary, honeycomb, and risers. Proprietary parts and lightburn full compatibility is a deciding factor for many. They both are amazing starter machines and I really can't call one better then the other after using them both. Thanks for watching.

@kristieleigh55

4 ай бұрын

I really appreciated this video. I have a much larger laser that we built. I have zero clue how to use it and quite honestly no time to learn. With these smaller machines I’m thinking that I might be able to learn and then eventually get into the larger one. I was looking at a diode but will need to cut the opaque pastels and I don’t want to deal with hacks and whatnot for cutting. We have light burn because of the other laser but I’ll do all my designing in illustrator so hopefully I’ll be able to import it. This video was super informative. Scared me a little about the omtech set up but we will see 😂

@unemployedredneckhillbilly2023

4 ай бұрын

Even these starter machines will require a learning process. The Omtech is a pain to set up but once properly aligned seems to stay that way. It almost seems you would be best investing time to learn to use the larger machine you have. Lightburn is the best laser software for working with images and that's why many don't want to be stuck learning the XCS software. Lightburn has great videos to help you get started. Cutting acrylic will make a mess of any machine from the vapors. Be sure to vent whatever machine you get properly and those portable heppa filters from xTool and others are not safe to use with acrylics. Good luck