OneLaser Blogs

[ { "title": "Hydra 16 Gen2 Review: How Stitchcraft Interiors Builds Fast \u0026amp; Furious-Level Interiors", "excerpt": "💡 Author\u0026#39;s Note: This Hydra 16 Gen2 Review comes straight from the shop floor — in his own words, Revo Reeves, CEO of Stitchcraft Interiors, shares how the machine fits...", "content": "\n💡 Author\u0026#39;s Note: This Hydra 16 Gen2 Review comes straight from the shop floor — in his own words, Revo Reeves, CEO of Stitchcraft Interiors, shares how the machine fits into the same process that built the original Fast \u0026amp;amp; Furious Supra interior. \n\n\nRevo Reeves — Creator of the Toyota Supra interior (Fast \u0026amp;amp; Furious); CEO of Stitchcraft Interiors.\nIn Revo\u0026#39;s Words\nStitchcraft Interiors is a brand that\u0026#39;s been around for a long time. We\u0026#39;re in thousands of magazines. We were the ones doing the original cars for \u0026quot;The Fast and the Furious.\u0026quot; We\u0026#39;ve been on plenty of TV shows like Overhaulin\u0026#39;, Rides, and Chop Cut Rebuild.\n\nThe parts and pieces we use the laser to manufacture are everything that goes on these Broncos—from the upholstery to the dash. We build the center console pieces off the laser, the whole interior pieces. It\u0026#39;s a one and done. A OneLaser and done.\nWe\u0026#39;ve been building SEMA project vehicles since the year 2000 for Stitchcraft Interiors when we started with Mazda getting dollar vehicles.\nThe only way we\u0026#39;re able to still get all the sponsors we get is because we deliver high-end quality. But one thing I really get a kick out of is when we got licensing agreements with Mattel. All their Hot Wheels brands run our logo. Jada Toys runs our logo.\nRight now, we\u0026#39;re working on a particular project for Rockstar Garage. Rockstar just happens to be one of our sponsors, and they just brought us in a job where they wanted some hexagons. They wanted them stitched, but we don\u0026#39;t have the CNC sewing machine here. We just lasered them, and they\u0026#39;re awesome. It took us 3 minutes, and we\u0026#39;re done.\nThe great thing about having a laser and being able to deliver perfection that\u0026#39;s repeatable has allowed us to raise our rates. We put all the time into design in the beginning. Anybody that has a laser knows once you have your pattern in the system and you figure out your speed rate and your power, that\u0026#39;s what we\u0026#39;re doing here. We\u0026#39;re pushing buttons for creating beautiful interiors, and it definitely helps with our bottom line, our profitability, when we\u0026#39;re able to deliver something better in less time.\nIt\u0026#39;s better for us to be able to quote jobs now. We actually know the time to cut all around. This thing\u0026#39;s improved our profitability quite a bit.\nThe Hydra 16 Gen2 has improved our business immensely. It\u0026#39;s the best of both worlds. I don\u0026#39;t see us doing business like this without it.\nWe\u0026#39;re at a time now where so much time has gone by, and everybody wants one, just like everybody wants a 3D printer. We\u0026#39;re encouraging other people to get them because there are enough customers for everybody. With the right equipment and the right people to help you, which is what we get with OneLaser, this is a dream come true for us.\nEverybody needs to have OneLaser. Absolutely.\nThe OneLaser Hydra 16 Gen2: A High-Precision Laser Cutting Machine in the Shop\nStitchcraft relies on the OneLaser Hydra Gen2 to cut leather, MDF, and interior materials with clean, tight tolerances hand cutting can\u0026#39;t match, building custom automotive interiors faster and more consistently on every piece.\n\nThe OneLaser Hydra™ Gen2 CO2\/RF Industrial Hybrid Laser Engraver pairs a high-power CO2 laser with an RF source, delivering true 2,000 mm\/s speeds with 4G acceleration. It auto-switches between cutting and engraving, offers an upgradable fiber-based option for metal marking, and includes built-in safety features like temperature monitoring and automatic shutdown.\nHydra Gen2 gives Stitchcraft Interiors clean, repeatable cuts that mean higher-end finishes, faster production, and accurate quotes built on a consistent process, resulting in more projects, better margins, and pricing customers can trust.\nDiscover the Hydra 16 Gen2", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/hydra-16-gen2-review", "published_at": "2026-07-15", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/OneLaser_Hydra_16_Gen2_review_5dc71996-28e8-4055-8145-51b05d6883ac.jpg?v=1784215376", "author": "George Bradford" }, { "title": "The OneLaser XRF: A Deep Dive After Months of Testing", "excerpt": "About Rich This OneLaser XRF desktop laser review comes from Rich, owner of The Louisiana Hobby Guy. Rich brings over 35 years of software experience from both college and his career,...", "content": "\nAbout Rich\nThis OneLaser XRF desktop laser review comes from Rich, owner of The Louisiana Hobby Guy. Rich brings over 35 years of software experience from both college and his career, along with a college minor in graphic design—a background he loves putting to use through software guides, videos, and original graphics for his supporters.\nNow semi-retired, Rich spends his time exploring the \u0026quot;maker\u0026#39;s \u0026quot;realm\u0026quot;—learning CNC, 3D printing, laser engraving, and woodworking, and even turning a bit of profit along the way. He shares his hands-on experiences from each of these hobbies as he goes, so others can learn from the wins and the missteps alike.\n\n\n\nToday we\u0026#39;re finally taking a deep dive into a machine I\u0026#39;ve been testing for the last several months: the OneLaser XRF.\nI know a lot of people have been waiting to hear about this one. Even though it\u0026#39;s been out for a while now, I held off on publishing this review because I wanted to put in more advanced testing and actually live with the machine for months before recommending it to anyone.\nIf you\u0026#39;ve followed this channel for any length of time, you know I don\u0026#39;t get excited easily. I\u0026#39;ve tested a lot of lasers over the years—diode lasers, CO₂ lasers, fiber lasers, UV lasers, and just about every combination in between. Most machines do some things well. Most have compromises. And most leave me with a list of things I wish the manufacturer had done differently.\nBut every once in a while, a machine comes along that truly surprises me. The OneLaser XRF is one of those machines.\nAfter months of cutting, engraving, and intentionally trying to find weaknesses, I can honestly say I haven\u0026#39;t found a single deal-breaking flaw. What I found instead is a machine that delivers performance normally associated with far more expensive systems while staying accessible to hobbyists, makers, and small business owners.\nSo in this article, I\u0026#39;ll cover what the XRF is, why RF technology matters, what features stand out, and why I think this machine is one of the best values currently available in the desktop laser market.\n1. What Makes the XRF Different\nThe first thing that separates the XRF from other CO2 lasers is right in the name: RF stands for radio frequency. This machine uses a 38-watt RF metal tube instead of a traditional glass DC tube. If you\u0026#39;re new to lasers, that might not sound important — but for those of us who\u0026#39;ve spent years working with CO2 machines, it\u0026#39;s a very big deal.\n\n📚 Learn More RF CO2 Laser Vs Glass Tube CO2 laser - Which Better? \n\n\nMost people assume a CO2 laser is a CO2 laser. That\u0026#39;s a bit like saying every vehicle with four wheels is the same. A bicycle, a pickup truck, and a Ferrari all have four wheels, but they perform very differently. The same logic applies to laser sources.\nA traditional glass tube laser is exactly what it sounds like: a long glass tube filled with gas, excited by high voltage to create the beam. An RF laser, like the XRF, uses a sealed metal tube and radio frequency energy to excite the gas instead.\nSo what does that mean in practice?\nA finer beam. An RF laser produces a much smaller, finer spot size — think of the difference between writing with a Sharpie and writing with a fine-point pen. The Sharpie is great for filling in large areas, but for tiny letters or intricate designs, the fine-point pen wins every time. That\u0026#39;s why RF lasers are known for sharper photo engraving, cleaner text, and finer detail.\n\nMore speed. An RF laser can pulse much faster than a glass tube — like flipping a light switch on and off thousands of times per second, with precision. That\u0026#39;s part of why RF machines hold engraving quality even at high speeds.\nBetter consistency. A glass tube\u0026#39;s performance drifts as it heats up and ages; the gas mixture degrades and output slowly drops. An RF tube is sealed, temperature-controlled, and far more stable. What it does today is close to what it\u0026#39;ll do next month and next year.\nLonger lifespan. Glass tubes are essentially consumables — you\u0026#39;ll eventually replace them. RF tubes are built for industrial use and typically last much longer. The XRF is rated for roughly 30,000 hours of service, compared to the 2,000–4,000 hours you\u0026#39;d typically get from a glass tube, and that\u0026#39;s if you\u0026#39;re lucky and the tube is decent quality.\n\nThat said, RF isn\u0026#39;t automatically \u0026quot;better\u0026quot; at everything. If your priority is cutting thick material, a 100W or 130W glass tube laser can outperform a 38W RF simply on raw power — the 38W RF is roughly comparable to a 55–60W glass tube. But for engraving quality, photo work, fine detail, small text, speed, and overall consistency, RF technology is where it really shines.\nThat doesn\u0026#39;t mean it can\u0026#39;t cut, though. Here are a couple of examples.\nI cut a 10mm tree cookie — I don\u0026#39;t know which tree it came from; we took down a few in the yard. One of the nice things about the RF laser is that you can run your finger along the cut edge and come away clean. No residue, just a beautiful caramelized finish.\nI also cut a piece of 12.2mm white oak. Same result: a clean edge, no residue on my finger, and it cut in a single pass. Both of those pieces — the tree cookie and the oak — were done in one pass.\nThe easiest way to think about it: a glass tube laser is like a powerful paintbrush. An RF laser is like a precision artist\u0026#39;s pen. Both can produce amazing work, but if your goal is the cleanest, sharpest engraving possible, RF gives you a level of precision that\u0026#39;s tough for a traditional glass tube to match. That\u0026#39;s exactly why the XRF impressed me — it delivers engraving quality I\u0026#39;d expect from machines that cost substantially more.\nWhen I started running slots and tabs, that smaller RF beam stood out immediately. The kerf was so tight I didn\u0026#39;t need a kerf offset at all — I actually had to hammer the parts together, which is my favorite way of testing joinery. With a glass tube CO2, I always need a kerf offset. And the caramelized edges came out with no soot whatsoever.\nThe difference isn\u0026#39;t subtle. You can see it, and your customers will too.\nAs an example: I made some pallet coasters with slots and tabs that fit perfectly. I had to hammer them into place, which took a little more effort to assemble, but they\u0026#39;ll never come apart, and there\u0026#39;s no glue residue anywhere.\na. Speed That\u0026#39;s Actually Usable\nManufacturers love to advertise speed, but the problem is that many quoted speeds are numbers you\u0026#39;ll never actually use in practice. The XRF is different. Its motion system supports speeds up to 1,200 mm\/s and acceleration up to 3G.\nThe acceleration is the part that really matters. Many big-name brands sit at 1–2G, which can mean a 30–40% difference in job time.\nWhat impressed me wasn\u0026#39;t the number on paper — it was how usable that speed actually is. Because the RF tube pulses quickly and accurately, you can run at higher speeds without sacrificing quality. That translates to shorter production times and faster turnaround. For small business owners, that\u0026#39;s more money in your pocket; for hobbyists, that\u0026#39;s more time creating and less time waiting.\n\nb. Build Quality\nThis machine feels like a professional-grade system shrunk down to a desktop footprint. The frame is solid, the motion system is smooth, the gantry feels substantial. Nothing rattles, nothing feels flimsy, and nothing feels like corners were cut.\nThe XRF is engineered in California by one of the biggest names in lasers — I won\u0026#39;t name the factory, but most of you probably already know it. In a market where a lot of desktop lasers lean heavily on plastic components, the XRF feels built to last. Even after months of use, it still feels exactly as solid as the day I unboxed it.\n\nc. Workspace and Add-Ons\nYou get a generous 600 x 300mm bed — plenty of room for signs, plaques, batch production, and larger engravings. There\u0026#39;s also a pass-through option and a riser base add-on, ideal for 40-oz tumblers or taller projects, giving you access to up to 6.25 inches of height. Add the conveyor feature and you can take on essentially unlimited-length projects.\nA lot of desktop machines force you to constantly rearrange material or split jobs into multiple passes. The XRF gives you enough room to work comfortably while keeping a desktop footprint — a nice balance.\nd. Autofocus and Camera\nOnce you\u0026#39;ve used a good autofocus system, it\u0026#39;s hard to go back. The autofocus on the XRF has been reliable and consistent throughout my testing. If you accidentally focus in the wrong spot, it won\u0026#39;t slam into the honeycomb the way it does on so many other machines.\n\nYou load the material, position your design, focus, and start the job — no feeler gauges, no manual adjustments. It\u0026#39;s one of those features that fades into the background because it just works, which is exactly how it should be.\nThe built-in 5-megapixel camera system is another standout — it lets you visually position projects directly in LightBurn, saving time and reducing mistakes. Once you\u0026#39;ve used camera positioning well, you\u0026#39;ll wonder how you lived without it. (I personally use absolute coordinates, so I don\u0026#39;t rely on the camera much, but most users will find it valuable.)\n\n\n📚 Learn More Best Laser Engraver with Camera \n\ne. Software and Workflow\nFor many of us, LightBurn is the standard, and the XRF was clearly designed with LightBurn users in mind. Setup is straightforward, operation feels familiar, and everything integrates cleanly. There was no learning curve coming from my existing machines — I was up and running jobs within 45 minutes of unpacking it.\nf. Materials Tested\nOver the past several months, I\u0026#39;ve engraved and cut a wide range of materials: wood, leather, acrylic, MDF, cardboard, cardstock, slate, painted wood, and various specialty materials. Results have been consistently excellent, especially on engraving, where RF technology really shows its strength.\nA few examples worth mentioning:\nSlate engraves very well, and yes, you can get genuinely dark burns — it just comes down to dialing in speed and power through a material test. (I wouldn\u0026#39;t personally burn something that dark for a finished piece, but it shows what\u0026#39;s possible.)\nFine detail is really the standout for me — photographs, fine text, detailed graphics all come out excellent, and the consistency from project to project has been outstanding. If your business revolves around personalized products, photographs, leather patches, detailed artwork, ornaments, or precision engraving, RF technology offers a real advantage, right down to very small scale work.\n\n2. Let\u0026#39;s Talk Price\nRF lasers have traditionally been expensive — very expensive. For years, getting RF performance meant being ready to spend serious money. I remember not long ago when the RF tube alone cost more than this entire machine.\nThat\u0026#39;s where the XRF changes the conversation. You\u0026#39;re getting RF performance, premium features, autofocus, camera integration, professional build quality, high-speed operation, and a large working area — all at a price that\u0026#39;s genuinely competitive against other desktop systems. Honestly, that value proposition is what got my attention in the first place. Not because it\u0026#39;s the cheapest machine out there, but because of how much machine you get for the money.\nLet\u0026#39;s Talk with Our Experts!\n3. Final Verdict\nSo after several months of testing, where do I land? Simple: I like this machine. Actually — I really like this machine.\nThe XRF has exceeded my expectations in nearly every category. The engraving quality is outstanding, the speed is impressive, the build quality is excellent, the feature set is comprehensive, and the overall value is hard to ignore.\nCould there be a better RF laser on the market? Sure. But you\u0026#39;ll spend considerably more to get it.\nFor makers, small business owners, side hustlers, and serious hobbyists looking for a desktop RF laser, the XRF deserves a spot at the top of your consideration list. It\u0026#39;s one of the most impressive desktop laser systems I\u0026#39;ve tested, and one I have no problem recommending to viewers and friends alike.\nIf you\u0026#39;d like to learn more about the OneLaser XRF, check the links below.\nDiscover the OneLaser XRF!\nFollow Rich on:\n\nFacebook: The Louisiana Hobby Guy\n\nYoutube: The Louisiana Hobby Guy\n\nWebsite: lahobbyguy.com\n\n", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/xrf-desktop-laser-review", "published_at": "2026-07-05", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/OneLaser_XRF_review_aa6ee36f-2415-4ec9-95de-5a15494470d8.jpg?v=1783934295", "author": "George Bradford" }, { "title": "Honest OneLaser XRF Review: Real User Experiences from the Workshop", "excerpt": "If you’re running a laser business or outfitting a passionate workshop, choosing the right equipment is a major decision. With so many options hitting the market, reading genuine desktop laser...", "content": "If you’re running a laser business or outfitting a passionate workshop, choosing the right equipment is a major decision. With so many options hitting the market, reading genuine desktop laser engraver reviews is the best way to separate marketing hype from real-world performance. In this complete OneLaser XRF review, we are letting the maker community do the talking.\nThe OneLaser XRF bridges the gap between commercial power and accessibility. By packing the precision and speed of a metal RF tube into a compact format, the OneLaser XRF desktop RF laser has become a serious upgrade for small businesses and makers.\nHearing from actual owners provides the most valuable insight, whether you are slicing through acrylic, engraving intricate leather hat patches, or looking for a commercial-grade OneLaser XRF desktop laser to launch a new product line. Below are unedited, real-world experiences from shop owners who run the OneLaser XRF laser every day.\n\n1. Speed, Power, and Production Efficiency\nOne of the biggest advantages of an RF tube is the massive jump in speed without sacrificing fine detail. Makers who have transitioned to the XRF report significantly faster job times, which directly impacts their bottom line.\n\n\u0026quot;Speed Meets Innovation We have been using our Hydra 9 and XRF laser engravers for the last 12 months. Having worked with many other laser brands in the past, this was definitely the Best Laser Engraver we have used inside the workshop. Having 2 laser tubes inside 1 laser and the ability to Raster Engraver at 1200\/mm a second with the RF tube allowed us to create and sell products that a CO2 Laser Alone couldn\u0026#39;t handle. The details of the RF are unmatched!\u0026quot;\n\n— Rise N Grind Workshop\n\n\u0026quot;The XRF might be the best desktop C02 laser ever! I bought this machine to run leather patches for my business. My bigger laser is slow and can\u0026#39;t do the detail I wanted. This laser has been about 2-3 times faster than my other laser and the detail is incredible from the RF tube! I was able to get a training meeting to go over some basics and feel confident to run the machine! If you\u0026#39;re looking for a desktop laser to cut thin wood, leather, or acrylic this is the one!\u0026quot;\n\n— McKael Stapel\n\n\u0026quot;I have the Onelaser XRF and this machine works great. I have used other lasers, even with more power. With the Onelaser XRF I am able to cut the equivalent of a 60 watt. Also the speed is amazing. On my other laser, engraving at 600 mm per second, took much longer than my XRF. I would highly recommend this laser\u0026quot;\n\n— Wendel Charlton\n\n2. Precision and Detail on Tough Materials\nUnlike standard glass CO2 tubes, the RF metal tube produces a much smaller, highly concentrated dot. This translates to flawless, high-resolution details on leather, crisp edges on wood, and perfectly smooth results on two-tone acrylic.\n\n\u0026quot;Why I bought the XRF and my first experiencesThere are a few things that brought me to ordering the OneLaser XRF. 1) the RF CO2 laser 2) Desk top size 3) The bed size 4) Speed. There were only a few videos that I was able to view that compared the Onelaser to some of the other manufacturers and they were enough to convince me to purchase the XRF. After using the laser for 2 months this is what I think. The only job I have been doing on the laser is two-tone acrylic. The engraving part with the nozzle so close to the acrylic, the debris from the engraving coated everything in the head and created issues with the lens and mirrors. After reviewing some experiences of others, I moved the lens down to the bottom of the lens holder and made a focus block to get the right focus when the head did its auto focus. Moving the lease made all the difference and engraving the acrylic is now flawless and most of the debris goes out the exhaust. I don\u0026#39;t know if moving the lens has weakened the air assist since the nozzle is farther away from the material. I like having the RF tube because I\u0026#39;m able to run the laser at higher power and not having any water cooling. The laser dot size is actually better than my diode laser. When I\u0026#39;m done with the acrylic job, I am looking forward to see what it can do on clear acrylic and glass. There does remain one issue that I am having with the auto focus. I use the laser for maybe a couple of hours in the evening, and I don\u0026#39;t know what is causing it, but my work flow is to engrave several sheets before masking them and then cutting. Up until the cutting part the auto focus works great, then when I get to the cutting, the auto focus gets stuck. I play with it with the controls until it finally will end up going down to the focus block and do its focus thing. In all, I am pleased with the function of the laser.\u0026quot;\n\n— David F\n\n\n\u0026quot;I own the OneLaser XRF desktop series and it has been a great machine so far. I run a laser engraving business as my full time job and this machine has been out through the wringer already. The engravings are crisp and clear and the cuts are precise and have no char marks! We like the XRF so much we’ve ordered a Hydra 9 as well to add to our line up of work horses\u0026quot;\n\n— Colby Sechelski\n\nColby Sechelski\u0026#39;s business and workshop.\n\n📚 Learn More Leatherette Laser Comparison: Which Laser Creates the Best Hat Patches? \n\n3. Solid Build and Reliable Performance\nA machine designed for daily production needs a robust frame and dependable hardware. Owners consistently highlight that the equipment feels built to last, providing a stable foundation for launching and scaling a business.\n\n\u0026quot;Top-notch equipment and promising supportThe build quality of the OneLaser XRF is top-notch and has met all my expectations for a CO2 engraver. I’ve been in contact with their team, and they’ve assured me that a library of instructional videos is currently in development to help beginners get up to speed quickly. As a tech-forward organization, they are also actively rolling out technical support updates, which gives me great confidence in their long-term support.\u0026quot;\n\n— Frank Hanus\n\n\u0026quot;Very solid machine and impressed so far!So far so good. A few minor start up issues but my sales rep was very helpful. After a few years using a diode laser, I have graduated to C02, the XRF. The machine is very solid and feels like a commercial machine. It uses the Pro version of Lightburn and I am relatively proficient with that software. US support is a bonus as you can solve problems quicker as compared to companies that are off-shore. The machine is very repeatable and accurate. I have cut some acrylic and recommended settings were a good start. I also bought the riser base and just received the rotary tool to try some tumblers. Wanted a versatile machine to help me launch a laser business in 2026.\u0026quot;\n\n— DonInCanada\n\n\u0026quot;OneLaser XRF is a Beast!This was my first ever laser experience and while there were a couple slight hiccups along the way and a huge learning curve, the people at OneLaser have been great and the XRF is a beast.\u0026quot;\n\n— David Kinney\nWatch more OneLaser XRF Overview with James Faytol\n\n4. Outstanding US-Based Customer and Tech Support\nEven the best laser engravers require maintenance, lens cleaning, and occasional alignment checks. The quality of support often makes the difference between losing a day of production and getting right back to work. Reviewers frequently praise OneLaser\u0026#39;s dedicated, US-based technical assistance.\n\n\u0026quot;Everything from sales (Lex answered all of my questions over the phone before I purchased) to technical support! Tech support is not only here in America but the team is dedicated and passionate and it shows! Tech support either picks up and answers, or calls me right back, typically within an hour. They helped walk me through setting up my new XRF and navigation of LightBurn which helped get me up in running fast! I also absolutely love the new XRF laser too! It runs about 4 times faster than my S1 diode laser while engraving hat patches and also shows up way darker on my leather hat patches. This new machine is a money maker and game changer. I wish I would have bought one sooner!Thanks,Jason- Iron Horse Trading co\u0026quot;\n\n— Jason Olsen\n\n\u0026quot;OneLaser XRF 1 on 1During my 1 on 1 with OneLaser\u0026#39;s Sean, I was able to ask technical questions and receive detailed and fast responses that accurately helped me diagnose and setup components on my laser. Sean didn\u0026#39;t hesitate with any question and was an extremely enjoyable communicator. We were able to go over other setups with software to get maximum potential from the laser and my setup and I look forward to running my next job on it.\u0026quot;\n\n— Joe F\n\n\u0026quot;Sean reached out to me to see how I was getting along with my XRF. I\u0026#39;m new to lasers and while I was getting some use out of the machine, it felt a touch under powered.He walked me through alignment and optics to check for debris. The difference was night and day.\u0026quot;\n\n— Nate\n\n\u0026quot;I have had my XRF onelaser machine for over a month now, and this machine is incredible. Personally no issues on the machine, and when I needed help as I am a beginner, the support centre was always there on time to give me a hand. Coming from other brands, Onelaser has exceeded my expectations with communication, support and quality in the machine.\u0026quot;\n\n— Kaydee\n\n\n5. Is the OneLaser XRF Right for You?\nThe reviews speak for themselves. Whether you are upgrading from a slower diode laser, looking to cut thicker materials or launching a brand-new engraving business, the OneLaser XRF desktop rf laser delivers the perfect balance of commercial-grade power, blistering speed and pinpoint precision. Backed by outstanding US-based technical support, it is a machine designed not just to make incredible products but help makers build reliable, profitable businesses.\nReady to level up your workshop? Take the next step:\n\n\nExplore the OneLaser XRF to dive into the full specs and pricing.\nSee It in Action to schedule a 1-on-1 virtual demo with a OneLaser expert.\n\nJoin OneLaser Community to connect with other makers and see what they are creating with their XRF!\n\n", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/onelaser-xrf-reviews", "published_at": "2026-06-22", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/OneLaser_XRF_Review_81791be2-f044-431a-8cd1-78257f304b3b.jpg?v=1782289783", "author": "George Bradford" }, { "title": "XRF Overview: Unboxing, Bed Size, Features \u0026amp; Real Shop Insights", "excerpt": "💡 Editor’s Note: This XRF Overview was conducted and presented by James Faytol, owner of Laser Hyde, a premium leatherette material company specializing in high-quality laser engraving materials and applications....", "content": "\n💡 Editor’s Note: This XRF Overview was conducted and presented by James Faytol, owner of Laser Hyde, a premium leatherette material company specializing in high-quality laser engraving materials and applications. \n\nWhat we\u0026#39;ll focus on today is unboxing this machine, showcasing the work size of the bed and how to best utilize it in your shop.\nWe’ll be featuring a series of videos on the OneLaser XRF, so make sure to like and subscribe to never miss an update.\nThroughout the year, we’ll demonstrate how to effectively dial in your hat patches. Our specialty is high-end custom leatherette sheets, available for purchase on our website, https:\/\/laserhyde.com\/. We’ll show you how to use our material to leverage the beautiful qualities of the RF tube in this laser.\nIf you’ve been considering this laser, you’ll learn valuable information about how to tune and prepare it for creating outstanding hat patches. Even if you already own one, the information will benefit you by helping you achieve optimal settings for your leatherette or hat patch materials. This way, you can produce better products for your clients, ultimately fostering client retention through the quality they receive.\n\n1. Learning the OneLaser XRF\nThere is always some kind of learning curve with any laser machine, and especially with this one.\nI believe this company has been operating for just over a year now, and we first encountered the XRF last year at the APA Expo while seeking more insight into this machine.\nNow remember, new company, new machine—they are going to have some issues with this machine as they find them. So, this company can improve these machines over time, and they are definitely doing that.\nThey will have their Generation 2 of the XRF out soon. The current model is Gen 1, but there is an updated Gen 1. So the current model is what we have here, so the firmware is updated on this machine. The update has ironed out any tiny little things that maybe they had to work out.\n\nOne of the things you\u0026#39;re going to learn is this lens system on this machine. It\u0026#39;s a bit different. So here we have a magnetic-type lens, and it has an upper and lower system on it. You’ll learn little things like that on this machine. You will learn how to keep the machine running, set up the air assist, and eventually configure the camera systems.\nSo there are a lot of things we’re going to be doing with this machine throughout the year.\n2. Why RF Tube Lasers Matter for Hat Patches\nFor those of you interested in the hat-patch game, here\u0026#39;s my key recommendation.\nWhen you explore the lasers in our shop at Laser Hide, you\u0026#39;ll notice the machines we specifically use for RF tube technology. The level of detail and precision these machines provide is exceptional.\n\nIf you\u0026#39;re curious, we have a video comparison where we visited OneLaser, a local business in Lake Forest, California. We tested the new Cobra 10, a glass tube CO₂ system, alongside the XRF, fine-tuning both for custom hat patches.\nTo see the precision and detail these two machines can achieve, be sure to check out:\n\n📚 Learn More Which Laser Creates the Best Hat Patches? \n\n3. Unboxing the Accessories\nHere we go. Now we have the tools. You have a USB printer cable, an Ethernet cable and some very nice tools here.\nYou have your USB cable and Q-tips to clean, those are the good ones. You also get extra fuses, a gauge, nice polished edges on all of that, and lens cleaner.\nBasically they give you a small toolbox in a bag with all the things you need for the machine.\nYou also get a key and a USB key, which probably contain all the data and information you need, tutorials, videos, PDF documents, etc.\nYou also have your scanning offset card to plug into LightBurn when you are ready to set up this machine. This is a crucial data point, as the machine needs it in order to engrave correctly.\nBasically, these machines are calibrated at the factory, and they provide you this card to let you know what you need to put into LightBurn for it to work properly.\n\n📚 Learn More Tool Bag Included Parts \n\n4. Opening the Machine\nNow, let’s dive in. OK. We\u0026#39;ve got our cord and more air cables, and now let\u0026#39;s get into the machine.\nGood. Everything is well protected with foam in there.\nWe pop it, lift it, and we\u0026#39;re ready to go. But it does have a honeycomb bed, which is very nice.\nThe honeycomb bed just pulls right out. Now if you are going to do any kind of tumblers, then you need to get this on the riser bed so that the bed can drop and make room for tumblers.\nThe bed itself has these nice little pins in the front that fit into matching holes.\nI like that a lot. It really locks the honeycomb bed in where it should be.\nYou can see there is no plaything in that bed. Nothing front to back, nothing side to side.\nIsn\u0026#39;t that what you want? You don\u0026#39;t want the bed to move.\n\n5. Work Area Dimensions\nYour workable space on this bed is 11.8 inches by 23.6 inches.\nLet me grab a piece of leatherette and place it on the bed.\nThe material itself fits perfectly on the bed.\nActually, I stand corrected. The bed itself is 12 inches and should be 24 inches. Let me measure that.\nSo, here we\u0026#39;ve got a ruler.\nFrom edge to edge of the honeycomb, we\u0026#39;re at about 23.90 inches.\nFor a 24-inch sheet of leatherette, you\u0026#39;re going to be hanging over slightly on one side.\nFor those of you using 24-inch sheets of leatherette, you have to ask yourself whether you want to cut it down in order to use magnet bars.\n\n6. Using Magnet Bars with the XRF\nHere we\u0026#39;ve got some magnet bars. We sell our own edge-flat bars.\nYou can place one here and one over there.\nThis is great for the edges, but they are right at the edge of the bed. If you\u0026#39;ve got any curling, you\u0026#39;ll need to place something there as well.\nWill it work?\nThe bar would be hanging right off the top, but it actually still works. The bar bonds to this quite well.\nSo, you still can use the bar right along the edge and have no problem.\nIf you\u0026#39;re running a 24-inch sheet, you can get it all the way across. You\u0026#39;ll be hanging about 1\/8 inch over, but you can put the bar right there, and you\u0026#39;re all set.\n\nThat\u0026#39;s kind of an okay scenario.\nPersonally, I like my stuff on the bed.\nOur sheets come in 12 x 20 sizes, so you\u0026#39;ve got room for the bars and don\u0026#39;t need them hanging over the side.\nOur sheets are priced accordingly, so you get them a little cheaper because they are 12 x 20.\nThen you\u0026#39;re good to go.\nYou can either use regular individual magnets along the edge or use more magnet bars.\nSometimes on our sheets we can get one here and then use our 4-inch bars right along the edge.\nIt\u0026#39;s cool stuff. Plenty of room to work, and being able to work within the space is key.\nIt says 11.8 inches, so you\u0026#39;re going to have basically 1\/8 inch on each side where the laser can work, and then you\u0026#39;ve got up to 23.6 inches on the length.\nJust some insight for those of you who are going to be using magnet bars.\nKeep in mind that the OneLaser machine itself is not metal, so these bars will not stick directly to it. You\u0026#39;ll definitely need something for your bars to stick to.\n7. Additional Features: Wi-Fi and Camera\nUnderneath this is your slide-out section.\nI\u0026#39;m assuming this is some type of Wi-Fi system. I think that\u0026#39;s what it is.\nSo, you get Wi-Fi with this machine, which is pretty cool.\nAlso, keep in mind they give you a camera on this laser. You\u0026#39;ve got a camera system that you\u0026#39;re able to use.\nWe\u0026#39;ll eventually dial that in and learn how to use it. I\u0026#39;ve never used the camera system before, so it\u0026#39;ll be interesting to see how it works.\nSo, here is the OneLaser. You now see what it looks like and the area you have to work with.\n\n📚 Learn More Best Laser Engraver with Camera \n\n\nClosing Thoughts\nFirst, we\u0026#39;ve got the unboxing. Our next article will be Ethernet connection setup, and then, of course, air assist setup.\nAll of these articles are designed to help you get this machine connected, properly optimized, and ready to create custom patches for your business.\n\n📚 Learn More\n\nHonest OneLaser XRF Review\n\n", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/xrf-overview-review", "published_at": "2026-06-19", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/XRF_Overview_c628d445-dcbf-4f85-b718-be3c58c16d2f.jpg?v=1782289908", "author": "George Bradford" }, { "title": "What It’s Really Like Owning a Hydra 9 Laser Engraver", "excerpt": "Buying a laser engraver is a major investment. As many Hydra 9 Laser Engraver Reviews show, for business owners, makers, and production shops, the real question is not just about...", "content": "Buying a laser engraver is a major investment. As many Hydra 9 Laser Engraver Reviews show, for business owners, makers, and production shops, the real question is not just about specifications or speed. It is about what happens after the machine arrives.\n\nWill setup be difficult?\nWill support actually answer the phone?\nCan the machine handle real production work?\nWill it help grow a business?\n\nAt OneLaser, we believe the best way to answer those questions is by listening to the people who use the Hydra 9 every day.\nHere is what real Hydra 9 owners have shared about their experiences.\n1. “OneLaser customer service is above all others.”\nOne of the strongest themes across customer feedback is the support experience. James Brown shared how the OneLaser team stayed involved from purchase through installation and onboarding:\n\n“OneLaser customer service is above all others. From start all the way through to your first project. Murphy was so helpful in getting me starting in my purchase then went above and beyond once it arrived. I had several questions about getting it into my basement shop and OneLaser worked directly with me to get it put into the right location. After that a small issue was quickly resolved by personal technician help on the phone directly. I\u0026#39;ve been using it for about a month now and could not be any happier with my new Hydra 9.” - Review by James Brown - March 20, 2026\n\nFor many customers, support is just as important as the machine itself.\n2. “Speed Meets Innovation”\nProduction capability is another reason many businesses choose the Hydra 9. Rise N Grind Workshop explained how the dual-laser system changed what their shop could produce:\n\n“We have been using our Hydra 9 and XRF laser engravers for the last 12 months. Having worked with many other laser brands in the past, this was definitely the Best Laser Engraver we have used inside the workshop. Having 2 laser tubes inside 1 laser and the ability to Raster Engraver at 1200\/mm a second with the RF tube allowed us to create and sell products that a CO2 Laser Alone couldn\u0026#39;t handle. The details of the RF are unmatched!” - Review by Rise N Grind Workshop - February 14, 2026\n\nThe combination of RF engraving precision and CO2 cutting power is one of the defining features customers repeatedly mention.\n\n📚 Learn More Expert review from Machines for Makers \n\n\n3. “The machine is absolutely amazing”\nFor some users, the Hydra 9 opens up new possibilities, but they also want continued educational resources to maximize the system:\n\n“The machine is absolutely amazing, I feel like it is very practical for laser engraving and cutting. It would be nice to have a few more how-to tutorials, with Lightburn and the Hydra 9. There is little information out on how the two co-exist, and it would be very helpful to have more information for future endeavors.” - Review by Anthony Pedley - November 5, 2025\n\nFeedback like this helps us continue improving tutorials, onboarding, and workflow education for future owners.\n4. “The machine is well built”\nBuild quality is another recurring theme among Hydra owners. Kurt shared:\n\n“Everyone that I have talked with has been very helpful and knowledgeable. The machine is well built and has the capability of opening up other material resources to use. I am excited for OneLaser and what the future holds for them.” - Review by Kurt - October 11, 2025\n\nCustomers often mention the industrial feel of the machine and the ability to expand into new materials and product categories.\n5. “Excellent tech support and great machine!”\nOne of the most detailed customer stories came from Amethyst Junction, who shared both the challenges and the support experience during setup:\n\n“We purchased a Hydra 9. The delivery was easy. The driver put it right where we wanted it to go. The laser itself was packaged very well and was received with no damage. Setup was incredibly easy as all the cables etc. are well marked.”\n\nThey later experienced an issue with the glass tube setup:\n\n“I did have problems getting the glass tube working correctly. (The RF was fine). I scheduled a one hour tech support call with Sean. It ended up being 1 1\/2 hours long but he never gave up getting it running correctly.”\n\nEventually, the issue was resolved:\n\n“After trying a few different things we opted to do a factory reset which fixed my issues! And now we are up and running again. I LOVE the way this cuts and engraves. So much easier than our old laser. Thanks Sean (and the other gentlemen who popped on the call as needed) for getting us up and running again!”\n\nTheir final takeaway reflects something we hear often:\n\n“A good machine is important. Excellent customer service\/tech support is even more important. I definitely received that today. I look forward to many projects completed on our new machine.”\n\n- Review by Amethyst Junction - September 4, 2025\n\n6. “Excellent machines and customer service!”\nSome customers start with one OneLaser machine and quickly expand into more production systems.\nColby Sechelski shared:\n\n“Excellent machines and customer service! I a XRF currently and a Hydra 9 series on the way! 5 stars”\n\nLater, after using the XRF in production, he added:\n\n“I own the OneLaser XRF desktop series and it has been a great machine so far. I run a laser engraving business as my full time job and this machine has been out through the wringer already. The engravings are crisp and clear and the cuts are precise and have no char marks! We like the XRF so much we’ve ordered a Hydra 9 as well to add to our line up of work horses” - Review by Colby Sechelski - December 28, 2024\n\nFor growing businesses, many owners see the Hydra 9 as the next step toward higher-volume production.\n\n📚 Learn More\n\n\nStart a Laser Engraving Business\n\n\nHonest OneLaser XRF Review\n\n\n\n7. “The two-laser system can do two things at a time”\nHarriett Garcia explained how the Hydra 9 helped support business growth and larger production needs:\n\n“I have a small shop that is currently undergoing considerable growth and I have had a need for a powerful machine for batch jobs. I spoke to several people in the community and after their advice, I decided to buy the Hydra 9 and I\u0026#39;m so glad it\u0026#39;s been so good. Installation went well thanks to the support onboarding and I have used it to make a lot of signs and to engrave one-off panels. The two-laser system can do two things at a time by burning and engraving the product, while the fact that it has a bigger bed size has saved me a lot of time.” - Review by Harriett Garcia - April 9, 2025\n\nFor many customers, the larger workspace and dual-laser workflow translate directly into higher productivity.\n\n8. “The Hydra 9 has surpassed every expectation.”\nThe Hydra 9 is also finding a strong audience among leather businesses and specialty product makers.\nSania Gray shared:\n\n“We make leather bags, belts, and accessories in batches of small to medium size. We were looking for a machine which would be capable of doing rotary engraving, of cutting thick leather, as well as of branding that is fine without getting caught. The Hydra 9 has surpassed every expectation. The engraving is perfect, and the throughput rating allows us to prepare more than 20 products for each run. The good onboarding support and Facebook group did not make it difficult to learn the Bosch process.” - Review by Sania Gray - April 9, 2025\n\nFor leather shops and custom makers, the combination of throughput, engraving quality, and onboarding support can dramatically reduce the learning curve.\n9. Real Hydra 9 Laser Engraver Reviews from Real Shops\nEvery shop is different. Some customers focus on production speed. Others prioritize engraving quality, setup support, or workflow flexibility.\nBut across these reviews, several themes appear again and again:\n\nResponsive customer support\nStrong onboarding assistance\nHigh-speed RF engraving quality\nDual-laser flexibility\nReliable production performance\nBusiness growth potential\nHelpful user community\nPrecision cutting and engraving\n\nAt OneLaser, we know buying a machine is only the beginning. Our goal is to help customers succeed long after the laser arrives.\nAnd according to Hydra 9 owners, that support makes all the difference.\nDiscover the Hydra 9", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/hydra-9-laser-engraver-reviews", "published_at": "2026-05-29", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/Hydra_9_review_66908200-c968-4bb0-9f92-4070ca9fa38b.jpg?v=1782290013", "author": "George Bradford" }, { "title": "A Veteran Technician Explains What Makes a Professional Laser Company Different", "excerpt": "Editor’s Note: In this guide, Joe Braga of Engraver’s Choice shares his perspective on what separates a reliable laser company from the rest of the industry, drawing from over 35...", "content": " Editor’s Note: In this guide, Joe Braga of Engraver’s Choice shares his perspective on what separates a reliable laser company from the rest of the industry, drawing from over 35 years of hands-on experience in laser technology, installation, and technical support. \nI learned to be a tech in the military and spent 23 years on and off with the Navy. My first enlistments were with Marine Recon because I was a technical specialist taken into hotspots to perform maintenance.\nOne thing the military teaches you as a tech is that if you don\u0026#39;t do your job correctly, people could actually die.\n1. My Journey Into the Laser Industry\nHi, I\u0026#39;m Joe Braga from Engraver\u0026#39;s Choice. I represent many models within the industry.\nI started in 1990 after working on engravers and lasers at USS Missouri. I\u0026#39;ve been in the industry for about 35 years and have held positions ranging from CTO of a laser company to master distributor for the West Coast for Boss Laser.\nWe do not have loyalty to manufacturers. Our loyalty is to the customer.\n\nJoe Braga, owner of Engraver\u0026#39;s Choice.\n2. Why I Became Frustrated With Many Laser Companies\na. Watching Industry Infrastructure Disappear\nAfter finishing my contract and leaving, I slowly noticed laser company infrastructure fading away. Most Chinese revenue-based laser companies have no real US infrastructure. They claim they do, but they don\u0026#39;t.\nb. What Made OneLaser Different to Me\nOneLaser actually has US technicians, some of whom I originally trained. They also have infrastructure built around US-designed systems.\nFrankly, Engraver\u0026#39;s Choice does a lot of customer support for that laser company because it really has no customer support.\n\n3. Why Customer Support Matters So Much to Me\na. Building a Business Around Training and Technical Support\nOur business mainly focuses on installation, training, and technical support. If I align myself with a unit that doesn\u0026#39;t meet our standards, it hurts that side of my business.\nThat\u0026#39;s why we had to move away from that company because of the problems.\nb. The Real Cost of Poor-Quality Machines\nWhen we install one of their machines for a client, we charge twice as much because we basically have to rebuild the machine from scratch.\nIf you\u0026#39;re doing real production work, you\u0026#39;ll wear that machine out within three months and eventually have to buy another one.\nOn top of that, without proper customer support, installation, or training, you\u0026#39;re going to waste $5,000 to $10,000 in damaged product while trying to get orders out the door.\n4. Why I Trust OneLaser Machines\nWith OneLaser, I don\u0026#39;t think I\u0026#39;ve ever even had to adjust a beam. We perform full quality assurance during installation, but we rarely have to make corrections.\nUsually, we can get right to training the client and helping them make money with the product.\n\n5. What Impressed Me Most About the Cobra\na. A Lightweight Head With Serious Build Quality\nWhen I first saw the Cobra, the first thing that stood out was how light the head is. The head is extremely well-constructed and solid. You could probably take it out and hit it against a wall and it would still be fine.\nBecause it\u0026#39;s lightweight, there\u0026#39;s very little overtravel when running at 1200 mm per second.\nb. Maintaining Speed Without Sacrificing Quality\nOne problem with some other tubes I\u0026#39;ve seen is that they can technically run fast, but the machines can\u0026#39;t maintain that speed because the power supplies can\u0026#39;t keep up.\nYou run them at full speed and the engraving becomes too light.\nWith the Cobra, I\u0026#39;ve seen it maintain both speed and quality at the same time.\n\n6. The Engineering Details That Caught My Attention\na. Secure Components and Better Machine Stability\nOne of my biggest complaints about many DC glass tube manufacturers is that they provide unsecured grid tables.\nWith the Cobra and OneLaser systems, the grid table is secured properly.\nb. Clean Electronics and Thoughtful Wiring Design\nAnother thing that stood out was how clean the electronics were. All wiring was tinned, shielded, and locked down to prevent cold joints.\nAll heat sinks were numbered, so if a wire came loose, it would be obvious where it belonged. Wire 32 goes into hole 32.\nAll screw terminals on the main board were properly torqued. You could still remove them if needed, but they weren\u0026#39;t going to vibrate loose.\nThe power supply output was also very clean.\n\nc. Expandability That Gives Customers More Options\nThere\u0026#39;s also a board unique to OneLaser that allows future features like turning the blower on and off automatically with the job if desired.\nThe expandability of the unit was really impressive.\n7. Features I Believe Give OneLaser an Advantage\na. Handling Uneven Engraving With Precision\nOne thing I like to test is the reader control board inside both the Cobra and Hydra systems. It has the ability to handle uneven engraving.\nI could laser a part with one-inch focus in one area, one-and-a-quarter-inch focus in another, and two-inch focus in another area, all within the same job.\nb. Why In-House Engineering Makes a Difference\nOne reason I think this works better with OneLaser is the uniqueness of the motion system. If we run into something unique, we don\u0026#39;t have to ask the hardware manufacturer to make changes.\nWe can handle it internally because the machines are designed from scratch in-house.\n8. The Biggest Buying Mistakes I See Customers Make\nWhen I\u0026#39;m in customer shops, I often see mistakes people made when buying their machines. I hear a lot of people say, \u0026quot;I wish we had known about you before we bought.\u0026quot;\nThat\u0026#39;s because I\u0026#39;m servicing machines from Aeon Laser, Boss Laser, AP Lazer, Thunder Laser, and others.\nThe biggest issue I see is that buyers don\u0026#39;t think about expandability. They buy a machine for specific tasks, then later realize customers want them to do something completely different.\n9. Why Fast Support Can Save a Business\nIf a machine arrives damaged because UPS or FedEx dropped it and cracked the tube, we\u0026#39;ll get a replacement tube out within 24 hours.\nI\u0026#39;ve seen competitors take three months to deliver a single replacement tube.\nThat\u0026#39;s like buying a car from a company that doesn\u0026#39;t even have replacement tires if you get a flat.\n\n \nConclusion\nThe main reason I chose to sell OneLaser is because the technicians I work with all run successful engraving businesses themselves.\nIt\u0026#39;s like buying a truck from a truck driver. The trust is already there.\nIf you\u0026#39;re looking for the best glass tube laser on the market today, head over to OneLaser and shop Cobra.\nMeet Joe Braga at:\n\n\nWebsite: engraverschoice.com\n\n\nFacebook: @EngraversChoiceSst\n\n\nYoutube: @EngraversChoice\n\n", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/choose-laser-company", "published_at": "2026-05-27", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/Laser_Company_7b6187d9-20fe-494c-bffb-4a120d2709a3.jpg?v=1780325173", "author": "George Bradford" }, { "title": "Leatherette Laser Comparison: Which Laser Creates the Best Hat Patches?", "excerpt": "Editor’s Note: This Leatherette Laser Comparison was conducted and presented by James Faytol, owner of Laser Hyde, a premium leatherette material company specializing in high-quality laser engraving materials and applications....", "content": "Editor’s Note: This Leatherette Laser Comparison was conducted and presented by James Faytol, owner of Laser Hyde, a premium leatherette material company specializing in high-quality laser engraving materials and applications.\n\n\nToday, we\u0026#39;re here at the OneLaser Showroom to showcase one of the best leatherette materials on the market. We have our Laser Hyde material here.\nFor those who do not know Laser Hyde, we are a top-level leatherette company focused on superior quality materials. We officially entered the market about a year ago, but we have been in the industry for a long time.\nWhen it comes to products and materials, we understand what end users are looking for.\nToday, we are going to test the capabilities of the new Cobra laser. This machine features a 100W tube.\nWe are also going to compare the quality of this machine against the Hobby laser. In addition, we will demonstrate the capabilities of the OneLaser XRF.\nSo, go ahead and get ready because we\u0026#39;re about to take off right now.\n1. Understanding Leatherette Engraving Settings\na. Why Dialing In Your Material Matters\nOne thing we see a lot, when it comes to leatherette engraving, is that people don\u0026#39;t take the time to dial in their material.\nEvery color of leatherette you use in these machines will make a huge difference on power percentages that you use.\nSome materials may require DPI or lines per inch adjustments. When you lower the DPI settings, for example from .065 to .050, you create tighter lines. This also creates a stronger engraving effect, allowing the material to burn more solidly.\nIn those cases, when you lower your DPI levels, you can actually lower your percent levels as well.\n\nb. Avoiding Charring\nThis is important because when you\u0026#39;re laser engraving your material, you do not want to produce charring. As we\u0026#39;re going to show here today, if you\u0026#39;re seeing charring, you\u0026#39;re not doing it right.\nYou want to find the perfect balance where the material engraves cleanly without any charring. Once you achieve that level, you know you have found the right settings.\n2. Initial Engraving Test Results\na. Adjusting Power, DPI, and Speed\nIn this test, we\u0026#39;re lowering the power settings. We reduced the power from 24% down to 20%. We also changed the DPI from 0.050 to 0.065 and increased the speed to 750.\n\nBig difference between the two. You see here a lot of charring here, zero charring over here, but you\u0026#39;re still catching all that detail. This will be a lot easier to clean versus this one.\n\nb. Optimizing the Settings\nHere, we were able to optimize the settings at 0.060 DPI. We left everything else the same, except we reduced the speed to 700.\nThe slightly slower speed gave us the detail we needed, and I think that was the winning setting.\nThat’s the key. You take time to experiment and fine-tune the settings. This helps you achieve the quality and results you want. In the end, you create better patches and a higher-quality final product for your clients.\n3. Testing the OneLaser Cobra 100W\na. Precision and Detail Performance\nAs a leatherette company, one thing I can say is that machine quality and precision are very important. You need a machine that can deliver the level of quality you need with the right type of build.\nWith this glass tube machine, I was actually very shocked by the precision quality, especially in the small details. That is even more impressive considering we reduced this graphic down to a 2-inch design.\nSo, once again, we\u0026#39;ve been able to tackle this task here with the OneLaser Cobra 10 and I\u0026#39;m really digging the results.\nb. Expanding the Logo Test\nAs we expand the logo, we can start seeing more of the details in the design. Based on the tests we did earlier, we were able to lock in the precise quality we wanted for this patch.\nOne thing about Laser Hyde material is that it engraves very nicely. It produces a very soft engrave, burns very easily, and delivers consistent engraving results.\n\nc. Cobra 100W Results\nWhat we have here is the design we created using the One Laser Cobra 100W machine.\nThe details came out very nicely. Considering this is a glass tube-based machine, the precision is very impressive and feels very high-end. I’m very pleased with the results.\n4. Testing the Hobby laser\na. First Impressions\nAll right, you guys. Here we\u0026#39;re jumping into the Hobby laser.\nOne thing I\u0026#39;d like to highlight right away is that this machine does not utilize LightBurn software. Since I had never used this machine before, it felt a little different.\nAs I started getting used to it, I immediately noticed some limitations in the built-in software.\nb. Software and Workflow Limitations\nOne issue is that we can’t really control the air the way we would want to.\nSo far, I can see that being a limitation, at least when it comes to patches. I’m sure you can eventually dial the settings in correctly.\nAnother thing I noticed is that when you use a function from the computer side, you still have to walk over to the machine to initiate it.\nThat means double the time spent. I have to set everything up on the computer, then go all the way to the machine just to start the job.\n\nc. Running the Leatherette Test\nThat’s what we’re doing now. We’ve dialed the settings in as close as possible to the Cobra test we just completed.\nNow we’re going to run the same leatherette material with those settings.\nLet’s go ahead and test it now, and then we’ll show you the results.\n5. Testing the OneLaser XRF\na. Compact RF Laser Advantages\nAll right, you guys. Now, we\u0026#39;re jumping into the OneLaser XRF.\nOne thing that is great about this machine is its versatility. It is one of the most compact desktop-style systems you can buy today.\nYou get RF tube technology, and the fact that it runs on LightBurn is absolutely amazing.\nSo, let’s get into it and show you the results right now.\nb. XRF Settings Used\nHere, we are running at 24% power with a speed of 700 and a DPI level of 0.045.\nThe machine really liked those settings. It picked up the very thin text in this graphic extremely well.\nNotice that there is zero charring on this graphic. That is the key. This is the performance level you want when creating patches and designs with nothing to clean up.\nWe officially ran the power at 24%, the DPI at .043, and the speed at 700.\n\nc. XRF Engraving Quality\nThis type of quality on the RF laser is just stunning. I see absolutely zero charring in this graphic, and that is exactly what you want.\nIf you are running a full sheet of patches for clients, reduced cleaning is a huge advantage.\nThe graphics look stunning, and that is what this is all about. Spending time to dial in the settings helps you achieve better results while saving production time.\nd. Final XRF Results\nOh my god, this came out clean, guys. Take a look.\n\nThis is the XRF 38W. There is absolutely zero cleaning required on this piece.\nRight now, this sample is the dirtiest on the leatherette material, while the Cobra had a little soot that we cleaned off earlier.\nBut so far, the XRF absolutely smashed it when it comes to detail and precision on this sheet.\nAgain, the quality of our leatherette material is phenomenal. Coming from experience with other high-end laser machines, I can honestly say this is absolutely stunning.\nI’m super stoked and happy with the result. This is something I would personally send out to my clients.\n6. Why Clean Engraving Matters\nReally, what this is all about is making sure your clients get the best results possible.\nThat’s what brings customer retention. That’s what makes clients come back for more.\nWhen you combine clean details with the right material, you get the right results.\nNow, we’re going to quickly clean up this xTool graphic and then officially compare all of them side by side.\n\n📚 Learn More Honest OneLaser XRF Review \n\n7. Comparing the Results\na. Cobra Performance\nThe results on this machine were very impressive.\nIf you are looking for a glass tube machine that is capable of handling many different products, this is a great option.\nThis machine uses LightBurn. Many other laser machines also use LightBurn, so the workflow feels very familiar.\nYou do not have to spend time learning completely different software.\nb. XRF Precision and Detail\nI’m absolutely proud of these results.\n\nThe thin details in the horns, text, and lines came out extremely clean.\nThe 0.01 dot size makes the engraving much cleaner overall.\nThis is the type of quality clients notice, and it’s what keeps them coming back.\n\nGreat results overall. The XRF was the clear winner, and I highly recommend this type of engraving quality.\nThis is exactly where you want to be for hat patch production.\n8. Final Verdict on All Three Machines\na. Cobra Final Thoughts\nThe Cobra did an amazing job for what it is.\nThis is a glass tube machine, and the engraving detail was absolutely impressive.\nIf you take a close look at the sample image, you can clearly see the engraving quality the Cobra produced with the graphic we used.\nb. Hobby laser Final Thoughts\nWhen we moved over to the Hobby laser, there was definitely a learning curve.\nI’m sure that with more time learning the software, we could improve the settings and dial it in better.\nHowever, coming directly from LightBurn, it felt difficult to quickly understand where everything was located in the platform.\nOne issue for me was not being able to fully control or completely turn off the air for engraving.\nAnother issue was the workflow. You have to set everything up on the computer, then walk over to the machine to activate it.\nFor me, that slowed things down.\nOverall, I wasn’t very happy with the engraving results from the Hobby laser.\nc. XRF Final Thoughts\nThe RF laser was the clear winner.\nThe OneLaser XRF absolutely dominated when it came to precision and graphic detail.\nI was extremely impressed with the results.\nFor a desktop laser system, this is the type of machine I would recommend for people entering the market.\nIts portability is excellent. You can fit it inside a small shop, garage, shed, or almost any workspace without issues.\nMost importantly, it delivers the clean engraving quality shown in these tests.\nYou can confidently run patch after patch and expect professional-looking results every time.\nWhen it comes to hat patch graphics, RF is where you should be.\n9. Leatherette Laser Comparison Table\n\n\n\n\nFeature\nOneLaser Cobra 100W\nHobby laser\nOneLaser XRF 38W\n\n\n\n\nLaser Type\nGlass Tube CO₂ Laser\nCO₂ Laser\nRF CO₂ Laser\n\n\nSoftware\nLightBurn\nBuilt-in software\nLightBurn\n\n\nEngraving Quality\nVery precise with strong detail\nAcceptable but required more tuning\nExceptional precision and detail\n\n\nCharring Level\nMinimal soot after cleaning\nMost charring among the three\nZero visible charring\n\n\nSmall Text Performance\nVery good\nLess refined\nExcellent thin text reproduction\n\n\nEase of Use\nFamiliar LightBurn workflow\nLearning curve for new software\nEasy and familiar workflow\n\n\nAir Control\nAdjustable\nLimited air control\nAdjustable\n\n\nWorkflow Efficiency\nSmooth workflow\nManual machine start required\nSmooth workflow\n\n\nCleaning Required\nLight cleaning needed\nMost cleanup required\nNo cleaning needed\n\n\nPatch Production Quality\nHigh-quality results\nLess consistent results\nProfessional-level results\n\n\nBest Use Case\nVersatile engraving \u0026amp;amp; cutting\nGeneral desktop engraving\nPremium leatherette hat patches\n\n\nPortability\nDesktop-friendly\nDesktop machine\nCompact \u0026amp;amp; highly portable\n\n\nFinal Impression\nExcellent glass tube performance\nAcceptable results after tuning\nClear overall winner for precision engraving\n\n\n\n\nClosing Thoughts\nLaserhyde.com, a leatherette company, is where you should look for your leatherette materials.\nIf you want precision quality, you can take this leatherette material, run it on the XRF, and end up with a true win-win combination.\nThere you guys go. My name is James Faytol.\nPeace out.\nFollow James at:\n\nWebsite: Laser Hyde\n\nYoutube: ESENTL LASERHYDE\n\nFacebook: Laserhyde\n\nInstagram: @laserhyde\n\n", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/leatherette-laser-comparison", "published_at": "2026-05-27", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/Leatherette_Laser_Comparison_e0fcbe55-8f4a-42a0-8b0b-ef094d43d20a.jpg?v=1784619336", "author": "George Bradford" }, { "title": "How the OneLaser Hydra 13 Helped Me 10X My Business Growth", "excerpt": "Getting a laser from OneLaser, specifically my Hydra 13, was the best investment I\u0026#39;ve ever made in my business. My name is Heather Dornean and I own the Stamp House....", "content": "Getting a laser from OneLaser, specifically my Hydra 13, was the best investment I\u0026#39;ve ever made in my business.\nMy name is Heather Dornean and I own the Stamp House.\n\n1. About The Stamp House\nOur products erase the frustration of typical slab building techniques. We achieve this through precision templates and modular tool systems that work really well together. They’re also super fun to use because you can create a million different designs with all of our stamps.\nWhat really inspired me to take the jump from just a teaching studio to being able to reach more people throughout the country was accessibility.\nAccessibility is paramount. As a mom to disabled children, I really wanted to bring accessibility to the world of clay. Our tools and templates do that for so many people. They also bring a repeatable element for professional clay artists. That’s been really special.\n\nSource: Stamp House\n2. Discovering OneLaser\nI came across OneLaser while scrolling through Facebook ads one day. There was an ad for a local STEM event for children. OneLaser was part of the sponsorship team for the event. That got me interested in OneLaser and encouraged me to learn more about the company.\nWhen I was researching lasers, I looked at every other major brand out there. I went with OneLaser because they were affordable and reliable. They also had great reviews and were close to home. I wanted to support another business in our area.\n\n3. Why I Chose the Hydra 13\nI chose the Hydra 13 for my business because the 130W CO2 tube can cut through my acrylic and wood like butter. It is super fast, super efficient, and has been really a pleasure to work with.\nBeing able to scale my business from something that only supported a local area into a national business has been amazing. In the future, I hope it will become a global business as well.\nI\u0026#39;ve been able to 10x my growth. That\u0026#39;s just been wonderful.\n\n4. Scaling Production and Efficiency\nAs a small business owner, if I did not have the setup that I do, I would not be able to meet the demand my product now has in the industry.\nI would struggle to execute all the designs and ideas that I have.\nPrior to having a laser, a project may have taken me one or two hours to complete. Now, with the laser, it takes minutes, sometimes even seconds.\nMy first laser was a P2, and that got my toe into the pool of lasers. But I soon realized how quickly I would outgrow the machine and what it was able to do.\nI was really limited by the material thickness I could cut through, as well as speed and airflow.\n\n📚 Learn More How do they compare? OneLaser XRF vs Xtool P2 \n\nWhen I switched over to a Hydra, it undoubtedly tripled my efficiency. It was wonderful to have a laser that did not struggle with multiple passes to cut through the materials I needed.\nOur production volume has increased tremendously.\nI\u0026#39;m now able to meet the demands of my customers, which is the best feeling as a business owner.\nWith my Hydra, I\u0026#39;m able to create orders with turnaround times within a day. Before, it was taking me a week to fulfill orders.\n\n5. Customer Response and Product Quality\nWe\u0026#39;re having so many more positive reviews from our customers.\nOur customers are constantly complimenting us on the quality of our product, the ease of use, and the finish of our product.\n6. Learning Curve and Support Experience\nAs someone with a background in art, I was a little worried about learning how to operate the laser quickly. But the process was much easier than I expected. I was able to use it confidently in a short time.\nSupport has been wonderful.\nI was very impressed with how robust the packaging was. My laser was tucked inside very safely. It was also pretty easy to unpack.\nI expected it to be much more complicated, but it was actually very simple.\n\n7. My Hydra 13 Review and Impression\nAfter firing up my laser for the first time, I was a little worried about potential alignment issues. I wasn’t sure how difficult they would be to fix.\nBut as soon as I unpacked my laser and used it for the first time, it was still perfectly aligned.\nIt was good to go from the first trial, which was wonderful that I didn\u0026#39;t have to spend hours with mirror alignment and lens alignment.\nI was up and running within days.\nThere was no lag in my ability to meet the needs of my business, which was really great.\n\n📚 Learn More Onelaser Hydra 9 | Ultimate Setup Guide \n\nFinal Thoughts\nIf you\u0026#39;re even on the fence about joining the OneLaser community, I say go for it.\nAs a small business owner and as a woman, it has been the best investment I have made in my business.\nExplore more about Stamp House:\n\n\nWebsite: Stamp House\n\n\nInstagram: @theclayhousebrea\n\n\nAddress: 543 South Brea Blvd. Brea, CA, 92821, USA\n", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/hydra-13-review", "published_at": "2026-05-26", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/Heather_Dornean_91228734-f251-4b9b-90a9-25cbc825b38d.jpg?v=1780027809", "author": "George Bradford" }, { "title": "From Hours to Minutes – The Bandit Laser Co’s Hydra 7 Story", "excerpt": "If you’ve ever marveled at the intricate layers of a 3D laser cut lake map or the warm glow of a lighted wood map, you’ll understand the passion that drives...", "content": "If you’ve ever marveled at the intricate layers of a 3D laser cut lake map or the warm glow of a lighted wood map, you’ll understand the passion that drives makers like Christina Goforth Griepsma, founder of The Bandit Laser Co. Christina is a wood artist who lives in the sleepy town of Cocolalla, Idaho, preserving memories of lakes, rivers and family adventures.\nHer secret weapon behind this transformation? The OneLaser Hydra 7.\nAfter six months of daily use, Christina shared her honest thoughts in her YouTube video, “My 6-Month Review on my OneLaser Hydra 7 in Under 2 Minutes.” In this article, we’ll explore her experience in depth, the kinds of projects she creates, and why the Hydra 7 has completely changed the way she works.\n1. About The Bandit Laser Co\nThe Bandit Laser Co is not just another laser shop — it’s a small-town workshop filled with warmth, wood grain, and glowing creativity.\nChristina started her business through craftsmanship and storytelling. Each design has a story to tell, from a map of the lake you grew up at, a custom ornament celebrating family traditions, or a lighted river map bringing the peaceful glow of the outdoors to your home.\n“We’re dedicated to turning wood into lasting memories,” Christina writes. “Each piece is thoughtfully designed and crafted with care — whether it’s a glowing lake map, keepsake ornament, or custom piece that brings your space to life.”\n\nHer product line includes:\n\nLighted Lake, River \u0026amp;amp; Ocean Maps\nLighted Nativity Advent Calendars\nCustom Christmas Ornaments\nLaser-Cut Signs\nLaser-Cut Night Lights\nand more\n\nWant to see Christina’s beautiful creations and get inspired by her projects?\nCheck out her links below:\n🌲 Website: thebanditlaserco.com\n🛍️ Etsy: thebanditlaserco\n▶️ Youtube: TheBanditLaserCo\n2. Christina’s Creative Journey – Before and After the Hydra 7\nPrior to owning the OneLaser Hydra 7, Christina was using another CO₂ laser machine that limited her output. Complex multi-layered pieces such as 3D laser cut maps took several days to complete. The cuts weren’t always precise, and intricate layers often led to wasted material.\nHer workflow and production time changed dramatically when she upgraded to the Hydra 7 in April.\n“I use this thing pretty much every single day,” she said. “It has cut down the time it takes to make things, reduced material waste, and it’s so precise.”\nWithin months, she went from struggling with time-consuming projects to producing high-value art pieces efficiently — and at a higher level of detail than before.\n3. Power and Precision – The Dual Tube Advantage\nOne of the standout features of the OneLaser Hydra 7 is its dual tube system — a 38 W RF metal tube paired with an 80 W CO₂ glass tube.\nThis combination gives users the best of both worlds:\n\nThe RF tube provides crisp, high-resolution engraving.\nThe CO₂ tube delivers strong, clean cuts through wood, acrylic, and leather.\n\nFor Christina, that dual setup became the ultimate productivity booster.\n“My favorite thing about the Hydra 7 is the dual tube,” she said. “It helps give really nice engravings while still having the power for cutting.”\n\nThis feature allows her to switch seamlessly between engraving detailed lake contours and cutting thick layers of wood for her 3D map projects.\n\n📚 Learn More RF CO2 Laser Vs Glass Tube CO2 laser - Which Better? \n\n4. Cutting Time in Half – Real Results from The Bandit Laser Co\nChristina’s YouTube review highlights tangible time savings — the kind that every laser business owner dreams of.\n4.1 Multi-Layer Ornaments\n“I did 65 three-layer ornaments yesterday. They were finished in a few hours versus a few days.”\nHer production efficiency skyrocketed, which means she can now scale up during busy seasons like Christmas without sacrificing quality.\n\n4.2. 3D Laser Cut Maps\n“These are two of my smaller ones — one of the Grand Canyon and another of Pere Marquette. The Grand Canyon map has 16 layers and took just a few hours to cut, versus multiple days before.”\n\n“The Pere map has seven layers of ¼-inch wood and took maybe an hour to cut.”\nThat’s the power of precision. For complex 3D laser cut lake maps, which can involve 10–16 layers of varying depths, shaving off hours per project can mean the difference between creative burnout and profitable growth.\n5. Expanding Possibilities – From Decor to Art\nThe Hydra 7 didn’t just improve Christina’s workflow — it expanded what she thought was possible.\nWith newfound speed and precision, she started creating:\n\nLighted lake maps that glow beautifully in cabin interiors.\nCustom signs with detailed engraved lettering and contour lines.\nLayered art pieces combining wood and acrylic for a multi-dimensional look.\n\nOur group members on social media watched as she began experimenting with new materials and techniques.\n\n\n\nJoin Our Facebook Group!\nAll of this was made possible by the Hydra 7’s steady power, fast autofocus and accurate engraving — all things professionals rely on to create multi-layer art.\n\n📚 Learn More Autofocus Laser Machines: Precision Made Easy for Makers \n\n6. Precision Meets Efficiency – Why It Matters for 3D Laser Cut Maps\nPrecision is key when making laser cut wood maps. Each layer corresponds to a certain height or depth of water, and even a small misalignment can ruin the final look.\nThe Hydra 7 excelled in this area. Its dual laser setup allowed Christina to:\n\nCut multiple layers with consistent depth and clarity.\nMaintain perfect registration when stacking layers for 3D maps.\nMinimize material waste thanks to its stable motion control.\n\n“It’s a precision cutter,” she emphasized. “It really cut down on the material I waste.”\nThat means more profit, less waste, and happier customers — a win for every small business maker.\n7. The Customer Reaction – People Love the Maps\nChristina shared that her customers absolutely love her new maps.With richer details and layering, each piece now looks more premium and dimensional.\n“These are something I never could have done before on my other machine,” she said.“Having my OneLaser Hydra 7 has been amazing and really opened the door to bigger projects for my customers.”\nIt’s a great example of how better tools lead to better business opportunities.\n\nGood feedback from Christina\u0026#39;s Etsy Store\n\n8. Hydra 7 Highlights That Stand Out\nLet’s recap the features Christina appreciated most in her review:\n\n \n\n\n\nFeature\n\n\nReal-World Impact\n\n\n\n\nDual Tube System (38 W RF + 80 W CO₂)\n\n\nPrecise engraving and strong cutting in one machine\n\n\n\n\nFast Cutting Speed\n\n\nProjects done in hours instead of days\n\n\n\n\nReduced Material Waste\n\n\nSaves money and resources\n\n\n\n\nHigh Accuracy for Multi-Layer Designs\n\n\nPerfect alignment for 3D laser cut maps\n\n\n\n\nReliable for Daily Use\n\n\nHandles heavy production without downtime\n\n\n\n\n\nHer feedback mirrors what many Hydra users report: the machine is built for makers who run their laser business daily and need consistent professional results.\nDiscover the OneLaser Hydra 7\n9. The Community and Events\nChristina is also engaged with local events besides her workshop.\nShe invited the community to the Fall Family Festival at the Rathdrum Lions Club on Oct. 18 where she displayed her work and mingled with other crafters.\n\nHer involvement in community events is a testament to how small businesses like The Bandit Laser Co are an integral part of local craft culture — and how the Hydra 7 supports that momentum with professional-grade tools for production.\n10. Why Christina Recommends the OneLaser Hydra 7\nIn just six months, the OneLaser Hydra 7 transformed Christina’s business.Her story embodies what OneLaser machines stand for: innovation, efficiency, and empowerment for creators.\n“My life has really changed since receiving it,” she said. “I use it every day. It’s made everything faster and so much more precise.”\nFor makers who want to expand their business with high-volume projects such as laser cut wood maps or 3D lake maps, the Hydra 7 provides a level of engraving accuracy and cutting power that is hard to find in a desktop laser machine.\nWhether you own a creative studio, home business or small batch production shop, the Hydra 7 is built to produce professional results with every cut.\n11. FAQs\nQ1: What is the OneLaser Hydra 7?\nThe OneLaser Hydra 7 is a dual-tube CO2 laser engraving and cutting machine with a 38 W RF metal tube for engraving and an 80 W CO2 glass tube for cutting. It’s a system of precision and power, perfect for makers that engrave and cut every day.\nQ2: Why did Christina choose the Hydra 7?\nChristina wanted a machine that was capable of handling multi-layer 3D projects efficiently. The dual tube and fast cutting capabilities of the Hydra 7 allowed her to complete complex maps and ornaments in hours instead of days.\nQ3: What types of projects does The Bandit Laser Co make?\nShe specializes in lighted lake maps, 3D laser cut maps, custom ornaments, Advent calendars and signs that bring personalized wood art to life.\n\n📚 Learn More How to Create a 3D Laser Cut World Map \n\nQ4: Can the Hydra 7 cut thick materials?\nYes. Christina is capable of cutting layers of wood up to ¼ inch easily and the 80 W CO 2 tube can cut even thicker materials depending on the settings and type of wood.\nQ5: How does the Hydra 7 compare to other machines?\nThere are a lot of good desktop lasers for engraving or cutting, but not many that are good for both on a professional level. Hydra 7 doubles down with dual tubes, autofocus and stable motion control for high volume production\nQ6: Where can I buy a OneLaser Hydra 7?\nCheck out Hydra Series on OneLaser\u0026#39;s official website to learn about sales consultation, financing options and US-based support with a 3-year limited warranty.\nQ7: How long has Christina been using her machine?\nShe got her Hydra 7 in April and will give her review after using it daily for over six months.\nConclusion\nThe OneLaser Hydra 7 is not just a tool, it is a business partner that assists makers like Christina to create their best work.\nThis machine has made ideas reality, quickly and precisely, from custom ornaments to large 3D maps. For The Bandit Laser Co that means less waiting, more making the art your customers love.\nIf you’re a maker who wants to step up your craft and production efficiency, Christina’s story is testament to the fact that the Hydra 7 does what it says on the can – to make creative dreams into beautiful reality.", "tags": ["Review"], "url": "\/blogs\/topic\/onelaser-hydra-7-review", "published_at": "2026-05-20", "image": "\/\/www.1laser.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/OneLaser_Hydra_7_Review_b3b3d349-2073-4886-a413-830e1539c2bd.jpg?v=1780388979", "author": "George Bradford" } ]