Best Basswood for xTool S1: 20W & 40W Settings (2026)

3mm basswood is the best wood for the xTool S1 — it cuts cleanly on both the 20W and 40W models with the right settings, producing near-zero char and crisp kerf edges every time. Below you’ll find the exact cut speed, power, and pass count for each xTool S1 version, sourced directly from verified community data. No guessing, no burned sheets.

By Mike Dolan · April 30, 2026

Why Is Basswood the Best Wood for the xTool S1?

The xTool S1 is a high-power enclosed diode laser — and enclosed machines especially benefit from low-resin, low-smoke materials. Basswood delivers on every front:

• Low resin — no sticky deposits on the lens or protective window inside the enclosure
• Consistent density — the same settings cut reliably sheet after sheet
• Minimal char — especially with air assist, edges stay nearly clean
• Light color — deep engraving contrast for text, logos, and artwork
• Flat and void-free — laser-grade sheets don’t warp or have hidden pockets that cause incomplete cuts

Pine is resinous and coats the lens. MDF produces formaldehyde fumes that accumulate inside the xTool S1 enclosure. Baltic birch is fine but costs 2–3× more and requires extra passes. For the price and results, 3mm basswood is the clear winner.

What Are the Best xTool S1 Settings for 3mm Basswood?

All settings below are for Crafteker 3mm basswood sheets (12×12 inch, laser-grade). Use the Laser Settings Calculator to fine-tune for your specific unit if results differ.

Note for xTool S1 40W: Defocus +0.5mm upward (move the laser head slightly away from the material surface) to reduce edge taper on cut pieces. This works especially well for intricate shapes.

The Crafteker 12-pack basswood sheets are purpose-built for diode laser cutters like the xTool S1 — 12×12 inch, 3mm, laser-grade, void-free. $24.99 for 12 sheets ($2.08/sheet).

How Do I Get Clean Cuts on the xTool S1? Step-by-Step

Getting clean cuts on the xTool S1 comes down to five setup steps. Skip any one of these and you’ll see scorching, incomplete cuts, or rough edges.

1. Set focus correctly. Use the xTool S1’s autofocus or manually set the focal distance to 3mm material height. For the 40W, defocus +0.5mm after setting focus to reduce taper.
2. Enable air assist. The 20W needs air assist to prevent lens contamination inside the enclosure. The 40W requires 25 PSI minimum — use the built-in air pump at full setting.
3. Run a test cut first. Cut a 10mm square on a corner of your sheet before running the full job. If it doesn’t cut through cleanly, reduce speed by 1 mm/s or add a pass.
4. Pin the sheet flat. Warped basswood causes focus errors. Use hold-down pins or the xTool honeycomb panel clips. Even a 0.5mm bow changes cut depth significantly.
5. Clean the protective window. The xTool S1 enclosure collects smoke residue on the protective lens window. A dirty window can cause 10–20% power loss — clean it every 2–3 sessions.
6. Keep consistent material. Random-source plywood has inconsistent density and glue pockets. Stick to laser-grade basswood so your settings don’t need re-tuning every batch.

xTool S1 20W vs 40W: Which Is Better for Basswood Cutting?

For occasional hobby cutting (under 10 sheets per session), the xTool S1 20W handles 3mm basswood well — 1 pass at 10 mm/s is fast enough for most projects. The 40W becomes the better choice when you’re cutting production runs: it engraves at 350 mm/s vs 200 mm/s, meaning a 12×12 inch engraving job finishes 75% faster. Both models cut clean with the settings above — the difference is throughput, not quality.

Why Isn’t My xTool S1 Cutting Through Basswood Cleanly?

Three problems cause most incomplete cuts and charring on the xTool S1:

• Incomplete cuts: Lower speed by 1–2 mm/s or add 1 pass before raising power. Running 100% power continuously heats the module and shortens laser life.
• Excessive charring: Check air assist first — a blocked nozzle is the #1 cause of charring on enclosed machines. Also verify the protective window is clean.
• Taper on cut edges (40W): Apply the defocus +0.5mm technique. This spreads the focal point slightly, creating more vertical cut walls on thick material.
• Inconsistent results batch to batch: You’re likely using mixed-source plywood. Switch to consistent laser-grade basswood — density variation is the root cause.

Where to Buy Basswood Sheets for the xTool S1

The settings in this guide are tested on Crafteker 3mm basswood sheets — 12×12 inch, laser-grade, void-free, and pre-sanded. Every sheet is consistent, so the settings above work without re-tuning between batches. At $24.99 for 12 sheets, that’s $2.08/sheet — the most cost-effective laser-grade basswood option for xTool S1 owners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best basswood settings for the xTool S1 20W?

For 3mm basswood on the xTool S1 20W: cut at 10 mm/s, 100% power, 1 pass with air assist. For engraving: 200 mm/s, 25% power. Enable air assist to reduce charring and extend lens life inside the enclosure.

What basswood settings work on the xTool S1 40W?

For 3mm basswood on the xTool S1 40W: cut at 12 mm/s, 95% power, 2 passes with 25 PSI air assist. For engraving: 350 mm/s, 50% power. Defocus +0.5mm upward to reduce edge taper on cut pieces.

Can the xTool S1 20W cut 3mm basswood in one pass?

Yes. The xTool S1 20W cuts 3mm basswood in 1 pass at 10 mm/s, 100% power with air assist. This is one of its key advantages over entry-level 5W–10W diode lasers, which typically require 2–4 passes on the same material.

Is the xTool S1 40W better than 20W for basswood?

The xTool S1 40W is faster for production cutting — 12 mm/s vs 10 mm/s — and engraves at 350 mm/s vs 200 mm/s. For occasional hobby use the 20W is sufficient. The 40W is worth the investment if you cut 10+ sheets per session regularly.

What is the best wood for the xTool S1?

3mm basswood is the best wood for the xTool S1. It cuts cleanly on both the 20W and 40W models, produces minimal char, costs around $2.08/sheet in bulk, and has consistent density — meaning your settings work sheet after sheet without adjustment.

About the author: Mike Dolan is a laser maker and wood materials specialist with 8+ years cutting basswood, birch, and MDF on diode and CO₂ machines. He tests every Crafteker basswood batch before listing.