11-08-2025 — Finally did something

Howdy all. My procrastination took a temporary break today. Yeah, that means I did something other than complain about the weather.

I got my backside upstairs and started up the Xtool S1 40watt Diode laser. And, as one should expect, it needed more updates to the firmware, and then to the software. And then, the PC (laptop) decided it HAD to have an update too. Then, the Xtool software said I should update to their new software. I said no, and then couldn’t connect to the laser. So, I am now using Xtool’s new “Studio” software application. That did connect to the laser.

After less than 2 hours (I was hoping to start something almost immediately!), I had it running again.

The 40W module seems to be just short of twice as fast as the 20W module. Much easier to wait 15 - 18 minutes for this to cut/engrave, than the almost 40 minutes it used to take — hey, 40 minutes seems like an hour, while 18 minutes seems like a short time.

Made some ornaments to start. They do need to have the “burn” dirt wiped off. They look better in person.

While they were processing, and before, in between, and after, I went to the 3D printer room and finally “installed” the Panda Den under the X1C printer. The Den weighs about 30-35 pounds, because it is a solid steel. And the X1C weighs a little more. That would not be too much to lift, but it has no handles. I have to wrap arms around it and lift without it slipping.

The Den had a spot for a self-printed plate holder on the side, and other gizmos can be printed and attached.

But this is the main feature that drew me to wanting the Panda Den. That is a self-printed chute that takes the “poop” from the X1C and drops it into the Den. It is held on with magnets. No more poop chute clogs (I write hopefully) that stop prints.

The waste drops down the chute in the back, and through a hole, into this drawer. The drawer even has a “trap-door” towards the front, that will allow me to just put a waste bucket under the open drawer, and watch the waste fall away.

At least that’s how it is working on others’ YouTube videos. We will see. The other 2 drawers are perfect for holding the stuff (glue, scraper, alcohol cleaner) that are needed between prints.

I have many other things I need to do up there again. And hopefully I will leave my procrastination in a break state and get them done. Along with more Xmas laser projects that I have planned.

If I can just keep on keeping on, I can Enjoy Life