This week, I made a couple of Blobfish paper weights using the CNC machine. Similar to most of the projects, I had a lot of fun with the entire process. In order to finish my project, I had to create download a svg of a blobfish, edit it to have pockets and contorts, CNC it out of wood, and post process the piece.

I started out with finding a blobfish and figuring out what kind of pocket I wanted. Even though it took longer, I decided to keep the features of the blobfish as the positive part of the cut and remove the negative space to create a pocket. It took some trial and error to figure out which line sections would give me the best look but the simulation took made it much easier to tell.

After I was able to create file, I transferred it over and started my 1t cut. Unfortunately, I placed me cut too high and was unusable. In order to try and get my next cuts right, I used small blocks of wood at 200% speed to see what it looked like and to make sure I could confidently place my cut.

   

Once I was confident in how my cut looked and that I could properly place my cut, I moved on to wood. I was unable to find more wood at the 210 table, but Professor Bisesti let me use a scrap of wood she had tucked away. Luke also found a piece of usable wood, but it was a little too small for my cut. It had a major knot/divot in the side middle area of the wood.

 

I had couple snags while cutting but I was able to work everything out. The biggest thing was my piece moving while being cut but then I remembered a tip I was told by Katherine in training I did not have any more issues with moment. She told us to press the tap into the wood by pressing the block on the corner of a table slide it up and down.

My cuts look really pretty and after sanding the tabs front the CNC machine, I was able to move onto staining.

 

I went with a blue stain because it was available and I thought it would compliment the vibe of CNC cut! This part was the same as before, putting the stain on, leaving it for 2 minutes then wiping as much of it off as possible. After the stain dried, I went over the cuts with a clear coat to help keep them sealed.

  

This project was over all a lot of fun and very cool. It took me much longer than expected and even though I had a rocky start, I am still proud of what I accomplished.

Price break down:

Material cost = $10

6 hours at $10 an hour = $60

Spray paint and pla = $5

Total = $75