Metal work has not been my background, but has always been a material I have been fascinated with, especially for crafting and small scale projects.

I was impressed at the packaging and organization of these machines through the shipment process. For the cost especially, it was clear that the pallets were designed for safe transit, and that everything arrived in top condition.

Set up was straightforward and easy to navigate with the included tools, documentation, and video support. The space saving features of the CNC especially impressed. While multiple hands were needed to help get the cnc into its final home, assembly was an easy solo project.

Working in Studio, the initial set up and calibration were a breeze and I was cutting the same afternoon all pieces were assembled in place. I have opted to primarily use the compressor and air dryer, and have achieved great, clean results so far. Material testing has been easy to set up to better dial in my settings.

I love the ability to "do it all" with this set up. Cutting flat stock has been great, but assembling and welding it has been a blast. I am largely a welding novice, but the included feeder and laser grip have made it easy to quick achieve clean and repeatable results. I have a lot to learn still and am excited to experiment down the road with the more advanced settings that will allow me to hone and deepen my skills.

I’ve been running the MetalFab in a mixed-use shop (prototyping + small-batch parts) and here’s how it’s actually performing.

What I’ve cut so far:
Stainless steel 3 mm (manual mode): clean edges, consistent kerf, no drama.

Aluminum 2–3 mm (CNC): fast, accurate, and noticeably less post-processing than I expected.

Brass 2 mm: crisp cuts with minimal burrs.

Rust removal: the MaxClean accessory on CNC is honestly impressive—oxide lifts fast and evenly, great for prep.

Precision & throughput:
This machine has changed my workflow. I’m now making parts from sheet that previously had to go on the CNC router/mill—without burning through end mills or sweating tool breakage. Setup time is lower, cycle times are shorter, and overall per-part cost has dropped. Tolerances are tight and repeatable; nested jobs align perfectly across the sheet.

Welding (next on deck):
I haven’t tested the welding function yet, but it’s on my short list and I’ll report back once I’ve put real joints through it.

Documentation & software:
The manuals are excellent—clear, step-by-step, and actually written to be followed on a shop floor. You can get productive fast without guesswork.

Air system
I’m using xTool’s compressor + air dryer combo. Integration is straightforward and performance is solid for cutting and cleaning.

Support that actually supports:
Customer service has been top-tier. My original air dryer had an electrical issue; xTool sent a brand-new replacement immediately at no cost. That’s how you keep a shop running.

Packaging & delivery:
The crate/foam engineering is… art. Everything arrives perfectly immobilized and labeled. Zero shipping damage, zero scavenger-hunt assembly.

One quirk to fix:
The machine’s air-pressure sensor reads lower than the compressor output. Before a job, the software often warns about low air—even when the line is fine. It hasn’t blocked production, but it’s distracting. I expect a firmware/software update can bring the readings into alignment.

Verdict:
If you’re moving sheet metal parts and you’ve been leaning on subtractive CNC for profiles, the MetalFab is a leap forward: cleaner edges, faster throughput, lower consumable risk, and an easy learning curve thanks to great documentation. With stellar support and thoughtful packaging, it’s a confident buy. Once the pressure-reading quirk is patched—and after I validate welding—it’ll check every box in my workflow.

Congrats and thanks to xTool for their amazing work creating this product!

I have been impressed with the xTool brand since I purchased my first xTool D1 Pro several years ago. From packaging and shipping to customer service, they excel. I have cut and welded mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum with it. Cutting on the CNC is a breeze and handheld cutting is amazing when dealing with clean materials. There are nuances to laser welding that make it different from other types of welding. Unlike MIG welding you must be conscious of where you are pointing the gun. The demos all show someone welding a butt T joint aimed at the inside corner of a joint. That is easy but doing outside corners or any weld where you can shoot past the target is like using a rifle. You must not shoot things that you don't want burned or cut. The rust cleaning function is pretty cool however it leaves small markings on the material being cleaned. At least that's what I have seen after cleaning using the CNC. I do not regret my purchase of the Metalfab 1200W and CNC enclosure.