Thank you.

Hi Anthony. that's brilliant . I am very glad to hear this as I was in the exact same boat and really wanted to show people that it was pretty straight forward. Good luck with yours and have fun. Its a great bit of kit

Hi Jeff. Thank you. I have always tried to be who I am, with the weaknesses and strengths that come with that. No point making people believe that I am some kind of expert. That would not end well. Normal video service will resume next week.

Thank you John. It is strangely simple for something so complex. Though, that could be because I am what is holding it back from using its full potential.

Oh yes, it is ridiculously heavy. Like they filled the bottom with bricks. I was caught out a little when it was delivered. The guy had a sack truck and left it in my front entrance. Wish I had thought of the Egyptians rather than brute force and back ache.

Hi. Thank you for your comment. I.will let you know how the draw goes.

YEs, albeit a little overwhelming. This thing is way smarter than I am for sure.

Thank you. Me too. It is surprisingly simple to use to be honest.

Thats also looks like a good bit of kit. This one is way too good for me but it is fun to experiment.

To be honest, I had no idea what to do for a first video and just left the recording going while I opened stuff up, Became apparent that it was not all that hard to get going. Just polishing up the edit on next weeks shed build. It is strange how nobody has commented on the state of the she I am filming in compared to just the farming of the last video. And thank you for the compliment on my style. Nothing I have aimed to do but why hide the errors. Takes a long time and sets the bar too high for others to follow.

Thank you James. Much appreciated.

truer than you know. Not only is it huge, but also I may not have thought about ventilation for something like this. The natural ventilation of the old shed would have been perfect . It is a great machine though.

lol. Spat my tea. Can you imagine. I dont even think it can live in the workshop. I dont know how dust will affect it long term. Didn't really consider any of the logistics.

@@startmaking1 Yeah, time will tell Mark. Maybe once you know how often you want to use it will help. Bit like the cleats, move away when not in use, keep close when needed. It might deserve its own 'station' in the new workshop, otherwise out of sight out of mind ? Have fun !

agreed, Cant rush these things I guess.

That is really kind bud, thank you. Ive seen snippets of your trip. I hope it went well.

@@startmaking1 Thanks. It did. :)

I am useless with this stuff and even I have been pleasantly surprised.

Hi Joshua, I saw on your most recent video. Cant wait to see what you come up with in it. Far moire imaginative than me. Also I loved the direction that you are planning on the channel. Sounds very exciting.

@@startmaking1 thank you so much. I look forward to seeing what you do with yours, they're super useful for veneer inlays and if you get the settings right can even carve 3D if you can get wood with minimal grain. I'm looking to use the conveyor system to cut parts from a long roll of fabric material for a product I'm developing. All the very best. Cheers J

You definitely take on far more complex projects than me. Etsy is about my limit. You are looking into steam power and the like. Really exciting.

@@startmaking1 I believe in biting off more than I can chew and chewing like my life depends on it lol. It doesn't always work out so well but nothing ventured nothing gained. Cheers J

Thank you Jim. Back to the normal schedule of workshop videos next week.

@@startmaking1 that’s great can’t wait to see what your new shop is going to look like so happy for you. Great videos can’t wait to see what you have next in store

Oh cool. so much fun experimenting isnt it.

Thank you Mark. Normal schedule resumes next weekend.

Not too far off now. Great to hear you are starting yours. It's such a hard project physically but the most enjoyable one I have done to date. Good luck.

Thanks. I'll be videoing my build too for my channel as this will form the basis for my van rebuilds and future conversions. Like the idea of the xtool though to add custom features for clients so will be keeping my eye on this one

Yeah, I am yet to get a good cut on 12mm ply and so 18mm black walnut feels a little ott. We will see. Good bit of kit though.

Hi Duncan. I totally understand. My theory is that even if they bring the next one out, my capability will still be below where this one is. So in a wierd way I can make my peace that the upgraded tech is not going to help me. But then again, if I was spending this much, I would probably look at it differently.

Lol sorry Owen.

Thank you Adam. Very much appreciated, the support and the kind comment.

Hi. It is , I think. Only had it in use a week or so but I think I am figuring it out. Time will tell.

How lovely that you took the non laser bit and helped. Genuinely. Thank you. I didn't even consider sharpening a box blade. Lucky I keep the old ones in a small box.

That is way more accurate than I was. Thank you.

I saw that. Amazed is not the word. And it is not like I knew Lee all that well. I feel very honoured right now. Heck of a few months.

Hi Shaun. Hope you are well. thank you for the feedback. Between you and me, I started on another video after this one and have discovered that my camera has lots of settings for light etc. Who knew ? lol. Maybe the visuals will improve slightly. Lets see. Take care bud.

@@startmaking1 Thanks mate👍

That is something I definitely want to try with it. Only scratching the surface right now and that is a lot of fun, and learning.

Hi Rob, me too.

Thank you. I will do my best to let everyone know as soon as I can .

It's a beaut. Heavy though lol

It is a serious bit of kit. I will let you know when the draw is done.

I appreciate the comment. Thank you

Thank you Michael. And thank you for letting me practise on your card. Good luck on delivery day for your lovely benches. Sorry not emailed. I will, they look stunning.

@@startmaking1 nah worries m8 practice as much as u want with them am gonna need them at this rate!!😀🫢 Catch up soon. Ps you aced that video.

I really like what I have seen of his channel. He is really enthusiastic and batches out a heck of a lot. Thank you. Not sure I have the space to franchise but it is a good idea to look to take on other peoples designs for a fee.

Hi Jim. It's been a strange couple of months. Pure coincidence that the channel has grown like that just as I am building a new workshop. Not complaining though. And thank you for coming along with me. The silver button had not crossed my mind. My year end target was 5k subs. Not sure why but that was where I considered possible. now, who knows. But 100k is a fair way off imo. And I am overjoyed with 16k. Easy to look too far ahead and not celebrate the now. I love the community we are building.

Thank you Blue

Brilliant. Thank you for the reassurance. It is a monster of a machine. SO much potential. My favourite thing so far is the feeling that on the right days, I am doubling my productivity.

I plan on getting one soon, hopefully in a few months

It's a beaut. Now to see what I can make with it . I will let you know when the draw is done.

Thank you 😊

Just testing out some acrylic signs for the follow up video. Really cool stuff,

That is the one hurdle that I missed. and honestly, it was staring me in the face the whole time I was making this video. It is large and does need a dedicated space as moving it is not an option. for what you do, a 3 d printer is far more useful I imagine.

Hi Matthew, I didn't have a clue how big it is when I said yes. It is too heavy for one to move, but the potential it has... I will let you know when the draw is done.

Thanks for that. I must confess I did find it tense viewing watching you try to lift it out of the packaging! I would have probably ended up dropping the thing and breaking it if it had been me! 😂

Thank you Adrian.

Thank you. IT is way beyond me at the moment . though after a week of trial and error I am getting somewhere. I really appreciate the offer of help and will definitely take you up on it if I hit a wall.

Thank you. I will let you know when the draw is done.

I was shocked. The program feels simple like the old Paint program. I am a logical person, I like to think. And it works like I think it should if that makes sense.

@@startmaking1 yeah makes sense. Ms paint is right around my level too! :D

I honestly believe that I am in the bottom 5% of technically able people with this sort of thing. Somewhere in the same league as toddlers and 90+ yr olds. though, even some of them would out do me.

@@startmaking1 well I can assure you that you are not alone. 😂😂

From what very little I have experienced, lasers are insanely versatile, though I am jealous of the x carve.

Hiya Sara. Thank you for watching. I think it would be lovely to test a few pics on this. I will let you know how it goes.

Hi Paul, Sadly I had to push the workshop build video back to next week to fit this one in. Apologies. It will be walls and roof next week.

I understand. I would have had to say no if I was in the old shed still. That said, this may still end up in the house. Not sure how well it would react to long term dust.

Thank you Karl. Much appreciated. I will let you know once I have finalised the timings. of comments

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

I to have been looking at these severely recently and this has just given me more fomo and know I want one!! 😬👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Kia Ora my Kiwi friend. And thank you for the kind comment as usual. I dont have a technical bone in my body but have already managed a few items. IF you can use a basic paint style program it seems that you can do a laser or at least make it do basic things. though, this one, at this price is more if you want to make a business from it. The smaller ones are pretty cool too though.

Morena Mark. Cheers have been looking at getting one the high tech side of it is scary so I’ve been asking the Medical Engineers that do the 3D printing..I’m looking at the small side of woodworking projects cutting boards so on.. Be awesome to engrave them so I’ll be watching see what you come up with.. Po Marie.

3 d printing opens up a whole new world of possibilities. To be honest, if money was no object, the machines I would get would probably cripple my workflow as I would never know what to use.

@@startmaking1 ohhhh 3d printer that's a thought.

Hi Meat. I have to say that I didn't expect a comment on this one from yourself. Sorry to make assumptions but didn't think this would be up your street. It is definitely a larger scale production type of kit. Or a luxury purchase for someone with the funds I guess. It's funny you mention the table top. I dont know if I have mentioned this to you but I had a decision a few years ago when it was clear that I loved woodworking. Either sell what I make or video it. Not so much a financial led decision. More if one that would slow me down or move on what I make. The reason being that I work way too fast and I was just adding so much clutter to our house. So either sell it and keep making that fast or video. Well, the decision was the right one, I had no idea that speed was affecting my work so much. slowing down to video made me work more carefully and also I now can't fill the house with a load of stuff. What I mean to say is that although you consider your work to be slowly done, I bet it is high quality and carefully finished, and I bet it is a relaxing way to do it. That in my opinion is priceless.

@@startmaking1 Well, thank you for the kind words. You are nothing, sir, if not a gentleman (one of the reasons why I enjoy watching you grow). I think you've made the correct decision. After all, I think you are inspiring younger folks to try and do something creative and calming. You are to be congratulated because it seems to me that you have transcended to the philosophical realm of woodworking. Woodworking is not for stupid people. Planning, adapting and overcoming are all essential to the process. Funny, in an ironic sense, years ago, Mrs. Meat suggested that I go on local access cable here in the states and bring a couple of buddies along so that we could sit and discuss manly subjects (so lacking now, here in the States). This was pre-internet days and I thought she was nuts. Seems, rather, that she was visionary given all the podcasts out there nowadays. As always, please keep up the good work. I see the shop is progressing nicely. The only thing I would do differently in mine is have running water (cleaning up would be so much simpler) and a heat source (I've always contemplated putting in a coal, or wood stove) because it tends to get too cold to work in my current shop in the winter.

Mrs Meat sounds like a smart woman, ahead of her time. Isn't it funny that the main reason I found woodworking was not to find an inner calm of sorts. I used sport for that for years. But the most overriding feeling I have when I am making something now is blissful calm. Such a lucky by product. You would have loved doing a pod cast I bet. Just sitting around in someones workshop chatting and laughing. People would definitely have watched/listened. Thank you on noticing the shop, weirdly you are the second person in 3 thousand odd views to actually comment on it. Running water is not on the cards due to planning issues, though I will have a water butt outside for small clean ups that dont need perfectly clean water. Best I can do. Heat will happen but probably stand alone heaters. We will see. Take care and I look forward to our next chat.

I haven't had to do that yet but I hear that over time they can fall out of alignment and I have see others receiving this machine having to do it from the start.

IT is not cheap for sure. But if someone was to make a side business around it, then it is perfect. For a hobbyist there are more affordable options in the x tool range.

I have noticed that, big marketing push. I could not turn down this machine.

Thank you. I will let you know when the draw is done.

Hi, it is, now I just need to learn how to use it properly.

Thank you. great idea too. I will let you know once I have finalised the timings. of comments

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

A know that same feeling just need make those millions first!! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😬

IT will come for both of you.

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

It isn't cheap. But then it is the top end of what they do. All of their machines have huge potential . But the time has to be right, like any tool purchased, big or small.

@@startmaking1 Absolutely. I wouldn’t go for something that size and cost because my kind of work doesn’t warrant it yet, but it’s something to keep in mind for the future. Thanks for replying. Enjoying your work.

absolutely.

Thank you kindly. Dont worry, there will be more chances to do this.

@startmaking1 absolutely, I wouldn't be watching if that was why I was here lol. I don't need stuff, your lessons are way more invaluable

you were in numbers 10 to 20 so you never know. I may draw your name for something. It's not all that glamorous but who knows.

@startmaking1 hey, if you make something, it's glamorous to someone. Besides, you're a great person and you make great things. I'd be honored to have some small token of yours, as would anyone in here. But again, not why I'm here but is definitely a cool bonus 😊

I am in the exact same boat. I have been trying to persuade my wife that this is something she will enjoy doing.

Hi Bruce.

That sounds awful. Mine seems just fine but I have not really fine tuned anything. Just doing simple operations. Sorry to hear you are struggling

They have a desk top, smaller laser on their site. Probably not as many bells and whistles but definitely a good little machine.

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

Hi. It is certainly not cheap, but there are cheer ones in the range, That said, there also has to be a need for it.

That would be a good experiment. I will be in touch.

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

IT is immense. I will let you know when the draw is done.

Hi Dan. Apologies, the freebee comp for this one has closed but there will be a monthly one set up in the future. Stay tuned.,

Hi Chris. A steep learning curve but so versatile and I will only ever master 10% of it and that will be loads.

@@startmaking1 that's often the way. Tools etc do more and more functions to make them more attractive to the customer.

agreed. I am also not the type of person to take a deep dive and try and perfect it. I will slot it into my workflow and use it to help with what I need.

@@startmaking1 the main thing is to learn what is possible. When you have a project that needs it, that's when you'll learn it 😀 loving your channel btw, only found it recently. Enjoying the shed building. I was going to try and build my own, but in the end the cost of the wood and my lack of skills meant buying one 😀

Nothing wrong with buying one. If I didn't make videos, I may have done the exact same thing.

I think we can manage that. I will be in touch.

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

You are spot on. I believe I said that in the video. Or at least that is what I was supposed to say.

It certainly opens up a mind blowing world of custom stuff, Im just scratching the surface right now.

Thank you Kris

Will be in touch.

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

Thank you. Great idea. I will let you know when the draw is done.

I think we can make that work. I will be in touch.

But I bet that yours does some cool stuff too .

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

Hi Duncan. I think that you may be but dont worry, I will do it again in the future as the uptake has been staggering.

Hi Morgan. Thank you for being with me for the whole journey. I'll let you kn ow after the draw. There will be a community post.

Thank you

Great question. Probably not as I also dont think it will like the dust. I am in talks with x tool about the air purifier that they have. It would mean I could move it into the house. We will see.

Or maybe a laser shed. that would be cool.

@@startmaking1 Even better!

lol, what a good point. I am actually trying to make the space in my house as we speak . It is not small, but I guess that is what gives it the larger bed size.

Not cheap but so many business opportunities.

Thank you Bob. I will let you know if you are drawn.

I dont see why not. Sounds like a really good experiment that I could put to the test.

You are in the first 10. Pop me an email, you can find the address in the About section of the channel and we can chat.

No, not at all. Dont make a judgement off one video.

Thank you. you are the second person to say this. I have no idea what has changed, I will need to check the mics. Times like this I wish I knew what I am doing lol. thank you

Thank you Adam. I will do my best to let everyone know as soon as I can .

I totally understand. And this is why I popped out a community post. Dont worry , this is a machine that I could not turn down and that I plan to use for both a side hustle to keep the channel viable, and something to do give aways with but it is not going to change the channels direction.

Hi James. lol, dont panic. I did put this in a post on my community page. This laser will not change the direction of the channel. Let me give you an example of how I am keeping the channel in the same direction,. I recently got offered a choice of large, too large tools that I can kit the workshop out with and have recently decided to graciously decline the offer as I dont think that it is in line with where we are or where we are going . Instead I am getting a job site table saw and a bench top band saw. This is so that I progress in line with how I feel I would if I was a normal woodworker. In many ways, it breaks my heart to not be able to reap the rewards as some would out it . But I started this way and intend to follow the path. The laser is completely unrelated and will be used around the channel especially to fund certain areas and there has to be 2 more videos to complete the deal but I thought the fact that I am asking people what I can make for them would show regular viewers that I am using it for the good of the community where possible. My aim here was also not to impress people with the bells and whistles of what I have. Hence showing my own shortfalls with the understanding of it all. It would make me sad if I thought that anyone who was a regular viewer could not give me the benefit of the doubt to not 'cash in' on a small amount of success.

@@startmaking1 Mark, I have to say that I too was a bit worried when I saw the laser machine . My next thought was "where is Mark going to find room to store such a beast of a machine in his new shop?" It was a bit of a surprise. Of course none of us have the right to tell you what to buy or accept. After all, how many of us turn down free stuff, especially something we could not normally afford? I'm happy for you that companies are offering you tools. Still, it is a relief that the channel direction will not change. I would say that the reason your videos are so successful, is firstly that your engaging presenting style is excellent, but also that you're very much 'one of us'. We can really relate to you at the level you operate at. Of course that doesn't mean that you stop progressing and adding to the tools at your disposal, as we all do over time. Your description of how you're going to kit out the new shop is very much in line with my own present set up, and even then I've just bought my first band saw. Never in my dreams will I own a laser machine or a CNC, but I can still admire the work they produce. I do enjoy lots of different types of woodworking videos, e.g. I love Rex Kreuger's projects, which are almost all hand tool (often vintage) created. Now even though I don't want to go down that road that Rex pursues, I can still admire the skill and knowledge that goes into his work, and take things from it into my own work. What I'm trying to say in a roundabout way, is that there are lots of great woodworking videos out there, but that your videos fill a very particular niche, which I'm sure will continue. I'm delighted for you that you're upgrading from the little shed, and very impressed by the hard physical work that you have put in. Always look forward to every new video. (Sorry if I've waffled on a bit).

Did you miss the part when he said this would be a side project and the main focus of the channel wouldn’t change?

As always James, thank you. You get it. As do 99% of the viewers of videos like this. And I understand those who are panicking about it. Really a means to an end in order to get the laser. I love Rex kreugers videos , such a talent.

I think that you are right. It is really easy to justify for a business but a little harder for a home.

Thank you so much. That is very kind. I was blown away when I saw that video. Absolutely stunned,.