After roughly three weeks of near-daily use, the xTool F2 Ultra UV laser has proven itself to be a serious precision tool—especially for glass, crystal, coated materials, and fine-detail work. This unit was purchased outright and is used in a real side-business production environment, alongside an xTool P2S CO₂ and xTool F1 Ultra fiber/diode laser.
Unboxing & Setup:
Packaging is outstanding—arguably best-in-class. The machine arrived perfectly aligned with zero shipping damage. From opening the box to the first successful engraving took about 30 minutes. Setup was intuitive, logical, and everything expected (including tools) was included.
Build Quality & Design:
The F2 Ultra feels substantial and refined, bordering on full professional-grade. The enclosure is excellent, the vertical sliding door is smooth, and there is no vibration during operation. It is also exceptionally quiet, noticeably more so than other lasers in the shop.
UV Laser Performance:
The machine uses a true 355 nm UV laser with an extremely small micron-level spot size. That tiny beam delivers exceptional detail, though it does mean slower engraving speeds and more passes to cover large areas. Consistency across the usable engraving field is excellent, with no banding or uneven fill observed. The effective engraving area follows a circular pattern rather than covering the entire rectangular bed.
Materials & Results:
I tested various materials including soda-lime glass, K5 crystal (surface engraving), coated metals, wood, and PU leatherette, mostly using default presets. Results have been consistently excellent.
A standout surprise was PU leatherette, which engraved and cut with zero soot or staining—something not achieved with other lasers in this shop. Glass engraving is where this machine truly shines.
Software Experience:
All work was done using xTool Studio. The software is stable, intuitive, and easy to transition into—even for users familiar with LightBurn. Material presets are solid starting points, and the camera alignment system is exceptional, allowing materials to be removed and reinserted with perfect re-alignment. Beginners should have no trouble learning it.
Accuracy & Production Use:
Results are highly repeatable, making the F2 Ultra suitable for batch production. It does not drift or lose focus over time. The bed includes precise screw locations for jigs, which hold alignment perfectly. The machine is currently used for paid customer work with complete confidence.
Maintenance & Noise:
The F2 Ultra is extremely quiet, produces minimal odor, and requires only basic cleaning. Fan removal for cleaning is simple, and no maintenance beyond routine care has been required so far.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths:
-Exceptional glass and crystal engraving
-Extreme detail and consistency
-Clean PU leather engraving and cutting
-Excellent build quality and enclosure
Limitations:
-Not designed for deep metal engraving (inherent to UV lasers)
-Slower large-area coverage due to fine spot size
Final Verdict:
If choosing only one laser, this would be right up there with a CO₂ system—and choosing between them would be tough. For anyone working with glass, awards, crystal, or PU leather patches, the xTool F2 Ultra UV is an outstanding tool.
One-sentence summary: “The Glass Master.”
Recommendation: Without hesitation.
Gramps’ rule applies here: Use the right tool for the job—and this one knows its job.