xTool MetalFab 800W: Is It the Right Laser Welder for You?
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xTool built its name on desktop laser engravers for hobbyists and small businesses, and the MetalFab line is its step into metalworking. Laser welding uses a focused beam of light, fed through a fiber cable to a handheld torch, to melt metal edges together. Compared with traditional TIG or MIG welding, the appeal for beginners is simpler setup: you pick a material and thickness on a screen and the machine suggests the settings.
The five products here differ in what they can do: the 800W MetalFab is a handheld welder that also cuts and cleans, the two 4-in-1 bundles add an automated CNC cutting table at 800W or 1200W, the CNC Cutter is a table sold on its own that needs a MetalFab welder to work, and the F2 is a small engraver rather than a welder at all.
xTool Laser Welders Compared
| Model | Laser power | What it does | Listed cutting | Listed weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MetalFab 800W 3-in-1 | 800W fiber | Weld, handheld cut, clean | Up to 5mm | 106 pounds |
| MetalFab Welder and CNC 800W | 800W fiber | Weld, CNC cut, clean, engrave | 10mm carbon, 5mm stainless | 330 pounds |
| MetalFab 1200W 4-in-1 | 1200W fiber | Weld, CNC cut, clean, engrave | 10mm carbon, 5mm stainless | 330 pounds |
| F2 Dual Laser Engraver | 15W diode + 5W IR | Engrave and mark | Not listed for metal | 10 pounds |
| MetalFab CNC Cutter | Uses a MetalFab welder | CNC cutting table | Depends on welder | 544 pounds |
xTool MetalFab 800W 3-in-1 Laser Welding for First-Time Metal Fabricators
xTool
xTool MetalFab 800W 3-in-1 Laser Welding Machine, Welding Cutting Cleaning
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
xTool MetalFab 800W 3-in-1 Laser Welding
Best for: Hobby and small-shop welders starting out
Pros
- 800W fiber laser
- Weld, cut and clean in one
- 8 in. touchscreen with 108+ presets
- Contact-activated safety system
Cons
- Handheld cuts only, up to 5mm
- Needs 220V power
The xTool MetalFab 800W 3-in-1 Laser Welding machine is the core product most people mean when they search for the xTool 800 watt laser welder. It is a handheld laser welding machine with three modes. Welding joins two pieces of metal. Cutting lets you slice through metal by hand, on the spot, up to 5mm according to the listing. Cleaning uses the laser to strip rust, paint or oxide from a surface, and xTool describes a cleaning path 3x wider than before.
xTool says it uses industrial-grade Coherent laser chips and delivers welds up to 5mm deep in stainless steel and carbon steel. An 8-inch smart touchscreen holds more than 108 pre-loaded material settings, which is the main reason xTool claims beginners can produce good welds within hours. The listing mentions an advanced thermal management system and a lifespan of over 10,000 hours, a contact-activated safety system that stops the laser firing unless the torch touches metal, and US/EU-based support. It runs on 220 volts, weighs 106 pounds and measures 24.89 by 12.05 by 18.58 inches.
This suits hobbyists, car restorers and small shops that want one machine to weld, trim and clean parts. Plan for a 220V outlet before buying. If you want automated, repeatable cut shapes, the bundles with the CNC table are the step up. For a longer look at this machine, see our xtool metal fab laser welder guide.
xTool MetalFab Laser Welder and CNC for Automated Cutting at 800W
xTool
xTool MetalFab Laser Welder and CNC Cutter 800w
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
xTool MetalFab Laser Welder and CNC
Best for: Shops wanting automated cutting plus welding
Pros
- 800W welder with CNC cutter
- Dual cameras for positioning
- SaveGas cuts gas use up to 50%
- Wire feeder included
Cons
- 330 pounds listed weight
- Cut thickness claims differ from 800W welder
The xTool MetalFab Laser Welder and CNC cutter bundle pairs the 800W fiber welder with a CNC laser cutting table. CNC stands for computer numerical control: you load a design and the machine moves the laser along the path by itself, so you get repeatable shapes rather than freehand cuts. xTool calls it 4-in-1 because it welds, cuts, cleans and engraves.
The listing says it cuts 10mm carbon steel and 5mm stainless steel, uses dual cameras for positioning and VibeFreeCut technology for burr-free edges. Welds reach 5mm depth with automatic wire feeding, and xTool claims welding 8x faster than TIG and SGS-certified quality. SaveGas airflow optimization is said to cut shielding gas use by up to 50%. Included parts are the CNC cutter, welder, wire feeder, wire feeder cable, wire feeding tube and drive rolls for 0.8/1.0mm and 1.2/1.6mm wire. Note that the 10mm carbon steel cutting figure is higher than the 5mm listed for the handheld 800W machine; it presumably reflects the CNC table, but the listing does not explain the difference. The package weighs 330 pounds.
It suits a small fabrication business that wants cut parts and welded assemblies from one system. If you mostly weld thick parts professionally, compare it with the 1200W bundle.
xTool MetalFab 1200W 4-in-1 Laser Welding for Professional Shops
xTool
xTool MetalFab 1200W 4-in-1 Laser Welding Machine CNC Cutter Laser Welder
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
xTool MetalFab 1200W 4-in-1 Laser Welding
Best for: Professional fabricators needing most power
Pros
- 1200W fiber laser
- 610mm x 610mm cutting bed
- 5mm weld depth
- Wire feeder and drive rolls included
Cons
- Very large and heavy
- Same weld depth as 800W listed
The xTool MetalFab 1200W 4-in-1 Laser Welding machine is the same 4-in-1 concept with a 1200W fiber laser. It welds, CNC cuts, cleans and engraves, with a 610mm by 610mm cutting bed, dual cameras and VibeFreeCut.
Listed performance is 10mm carbon steel and 5mm stainless cutting, 5mm weld depth in stainless and carbon steel with automatic wire feeding, 8x faster than TIG, SaveGas, 10,000+ hours of operation and a contact-activated safety system. The included parts match the 800W bundle, and the package also weighs 330 pounds. Interestingly, the cutting and welding figures in the listing are the same as the 800W bundle’s, so the listing does not spell out exactly what the extra 400 watts buys you.
This is for professional fabricators who want the highest power in the lineup. First-time buyers will likely find the 800W machine easier to justify and install.
xTool F2 5W IR & 15W for Engraving and Personalized Gifts
xTool
xTool F2 5W IR & 15W Diode Dual Laser Engraver, Built-in 50MP Camera, 6000mm/s Ultra Fast, 3D Embossing, Color Marking on Metal, On-Site & Small-Batch Ready, Portable Desktop Laser Engraving Machine
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
xTool F2 5W IR & 15W
Best for: Makers personalizing gifts and small items
Pros
- 15W diode and 5W IR lasers
- Built-in 50MP camera
- Up to 6000mm/s
- Enclosed, 4.6 kg portable
Cons
- Engraver, not a welder
- Class 4 laser needs care
The xTool F2 5W IR & 15W dual laser engraver is not a welder, and it is important to know that before buying. It is a portable desktop engraver with a 15W diode laser and a 5W infrared (IR) laser. The IR laser makes dark and color marks on metal; the diode handles 3D embossing and cutting on softer materials. xTool says it works on over 300 materials.
A built-in 50MP camera shows the workspace for up to 0.1mm alignment accuracy, and speeds reach 6000mm/s, with a card engraving in about three seconds per the listing. It arrives fully assembled, is fully enclosed with a built-in fan (an air purifier is optional), and weighs 4.6 kg, though the specifications list 10 pounds. It is a Class 4 laser, and the box includes the machine, base plate and a material kit, with a one-year warranty.
It suits crafters, gift-makers and small sellers doing on-site personalization at fairs or pop-ups. If you want engraving with more options, our xtool 20w laser module guide covers another route.
xTool MetalFab CNC Cutter for Existing Welder Owners
Best for: Existing MetalFab welder owners adding CNC
Pros
- Adds automated CNC cutting
- 610mm x 610mm bed per listing
- Dual camera positioning
Cons
- Welder needed, not included
- Listing copies bundle features
The xTool MetalFab CNC Cutter is the cutting table on its own, and the title says it plainly: welder needed. Included components list only the CNC cutter, so it needs a MetalFab welder to supply the laser.
The listing’s feature text is copied from the 1200W 4-in-1 bundle, describing welding, cleaning and 1200W cutting, a 610mm by 610mm bed and dual cameras. Read those as what the full system can do once paired with a welder, not what arrives in this box. The specifications list 544 pounds and a 60.5 by 49 by 43.5 inch package, which is heavier than the bundles, so check delivery and floor space.
This is only for someone who already owns a MetalFab welder and wants to add automated cutting. Everyone else should choose a bundle that includes both.
How to Choose the Right xTool MetalFab Laser Welder
Decide if you need cutting by hand or by machine. The 800W 3-in-1 cuts freehand up to 5mm. If you want accurate repeatable shapes, pick a bundle with the CNC table.
Match power to your work. The 800W welder lists 5mm weld depth in stainless and carbon steel, which covers most hobby and small-shop tasks. The 1200W system is aimed at professional workloads.
Check space and power. The handheld 800W is 106 pounds and needs 220V. The bundles are listed at 330 pounds and the CNC table alone at 544 pounds.
Know what is a welder and what is not. The F2 is an engraver, and the CNC Cutter needs a welder. For cutting wood and acrylic instead of metal, see our xtool co2 laser cutter guide.
FAQ
Can a beginner use the xTool MetalFab 800W
xTool designs it for beginners, with an 8-inch touchscreen and over 108 preset material settings. Laser welding is still dangerous, so proper eye protection and training are essential.
What is the difference between the 800W and 1200W MetalFab
The 1200W bundle has a more powerful fiber laser. The listings show the same cutting and welding depth figures, so the practical gain is not spelled out.
Does the MetalFab CNC Cutter work alone
No. Its title says a welder is needed, and only the cutter is listed in the box.
Can the xTool F2 weld metal
No. It is a laser engraver that marks metal with its IR laser and engraves or cuts softer materials with its diode.
Which xTool MetalFab should I buy
For welding, freehand cutting and cleaning, the 800W 3-in-1. For automated cutting too, the 800W or 1200W 4-in-1 bundle. Only buy the CNC Cutter alone if you already own the welder.
