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So, can I justify an xTool Laser for cutting balsa model airplanes? If you have ever built a laser cut balsa airplane kit, you understand just why you would want to be able to cut your own kits. The parts are so crisp and fit so perfectly. Laser cuts are just so much better than die cut. When I first started looking at lasers I was drawn to the Glowforge product. It looked so well built and just a very nice user friendly laser cutter engraver. When I saw the price, well, I thought maybe this wouldn’t happen anytime soon. I just couldn’t justify spending that kind of money on a laser to build model airplanes. But as I kept shopping around, I came across the xTool laser cutter/engravers and I am starting to think I may actually be worth pursuing. Street price just keeps dropping and power keeps increasing. (Visit the XTOOL website for current deals and new products)
Why I Want The xTool Laser Cutter
As mentioned above, laser cut balsa airplanes are a real pleasure to build. They build straight and fast. I would really like a laser cutter when building wings that are tapered. I think of the ever popular Bird of Time RC glider. I don’t know how many different size ribs that wing has! If I am building a constant cord wing, it’s easy enough to make a template and stack the rib together and cut to shape so that they are all exact. Even so, cutting with a laser would make certain that the spar lines are all perfect and you could place lightening holes easily and uniformly. I would also love the ability to cut plywood pieces. In addition to formers, you could design and cut servo trays, control horns, cabane struts and more. Something like the xTool laser could also be used to cut or engrave finer details. Not sure if it could do rivet detail or lines but I am sure with a little effort you could find some parts to make to enhance your scale build.
The Learning Curve.
As with any new tool, there is a learning curve. I have to admit, that does scare me a little bit. You will need to learn to create vector files and then import into a simple CAD program. You will then need to experiment with power levels and cutting speeds that will vary with material types, thicknesses etc. Now that may sound daunting. But do you remember learning to fly build and fly model airplanes, especially RC models? There was so much to learn including building a straight warp free wing. Getting the radio gear mounted and adjusted, finding the correct center of gravity, fuel proofing the firewall, breaking in the motor. After all of that, you still had to learn to fly the airplane including the challenge of flying it towards you. Yes that was daunting as well but you wanted to fly and so you tackled each challenge. And yes, you wasted some balsa wood along the way as you will while learning the xTool laser cutting your model airplanes. But the results will be so worth it. While you may not find a ton of videos that are demonstrating how to laser cut parts for model airplanes, you will find enough that will give you the idea of what and how you can cut using a tool like the xTool laser.
Almost Convinced.
So there you have it. I am going to keep looking at the xTool tool as an option for building model airplanes. It will definitely stay on my wish list!
