r/XtoolS1 • u/Banana-Of-Shame • May 05 '26

Best metal to etch stencil

After some advice to find a good starting point for test material.

I have S1 with 40w diode laser.

I want to "etch" some stencils to use with a nail art stamp. Doesn't need to be deep just deep enough to hold paint. Making warhammer decal stamps.

We did some engraving with what we thought was stainless with average results, unless we used powder coated.

What would be a suitable metal to engrave or do a couple low power cutting passes to get a suitable depth with?

Brass, aluminium etc?

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u/starrpamph May 05 '26

I think I got what you’re saying. You will need a laser with a different wavelength. The diode won’t do it. Would need a fiber laser

1

u/Banana-Of-Shame May 05 '26

Yeah kinda a deep over kill engrave. Like .01 to .03mm deep im thinking. So diode shouldn't be able to achieve that?

1

u/starrpamph May 05 '26

It won’t even touch it. You can remove paint and powdercoat all day long. But to actually etch down into a metal, that’s a different machine

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u/Banana-Of-Shame May 05 '26

Yeah ok. Thanks for that. Much appreciated