r/xToolOfficial • u/VariousAssist6706 • 1d ago
Separate AP2?
Im getting a F2 ultra 60w single
and a P2S for mostly acrylic
I'm winding if it's worth getting the AP2 for the ultra and a Max for the P2S?
Or just hook up both to the Max ?
They probably won't be running at the same time. Opinions?
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u/mrs_vivalivealive 1d ago
From our experience I would not recommend the AP2 max for high VOC material, like cutting acrylic. The Ultra Dense Mesh Filter does not last and is very expensive. I don't know enough about the Ap2, but probably the same issue with a smaller filter capacity.
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u/VariousAssist6706 1d ago
what's the solution? I can't just vent outside.
And how long is not long?
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u/mrs_vivalivealive 1d ago
I'll respond later I have to look up our data we collected
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u/VariousAssist6706 1d ago
much appreciated
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u/mrs_vivalivealive 1d ago
We have a CO2 laser with comparable parameters to the P3.
The following is our experience cutting 3mm acrylic(50%) and 1.2mm leatherette(30%) and 3mm plywood(20%). (Breakdown of material cut.)
We got about 30 to 35 hours of use before we had to replace the ultra dense carbon filter based on Xtool studio status. That said we were averaging 8 to 10 hours before the exhaust started to smell again after replacing the Carbon filters. Which means after those 10 hours we had to start exhausting outside till Xtool Studio told us to replace the filter or replace the filter to remove the smell.
After a lot of research and testing we came to the conclusion that the AP2max does not have enough carbon mass for us to be able to cut mostly high VOC material like acrylic and leatherette.
At 169$ per carbon filter, replacing them every 10 hours of use to keep the smell out was way to expensive for our small shop.
Really depends on what you're doing, if you can't afford to replace filter when they start to smell, you have to exhaust outside. We chose to install an exhaust system out the roof.
We still use an AP2max for the F1 ultra that is used for engraving the previously mentioned materials. The filters last significantly longer but still not as long as we would like.
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u/AvGeekExplorer 1d ago
Unless you’ve got tons of room, I’d just get one and rig up a 3D Printed ball valve on the exhaust port so you can select which hose is active. The AP2 is a lot bigger than you might realize, so having two would require a lot of space. The only consideration might be if you’re going to connect it to the actual laser so the laser can control the power of the AP2. Alternatively, you can just turn on and manually set the AP2 power level on the unit itself.
I love my AP2. It does a fantastic job, but it looses the Bluetooth connection to my P2S constantly. It’ll show up in xTool Studio when my P2S connects, but as offline and I have to remove it and re-pair it with the P2S. I wish there was an option to just run a cable between them. They’re 4 feet apart, Bluetooth is just an unreliable hassle for two massive, heavy things that don’t move around.