This was my second time using the laser cutter after creating my nameplate, so I started out feeling a nudge more confident compared to the other projects. Little did I know, this was also the project that would allow me to experience the greatest range of human emotion. How lucky was I?
Measuring out my kerf (0.008) and fitting together the first 2 joints turned out to be a breeze, but I could not, for the dear life of me, figure out how to actually print the engraved pieces of my box. The laser cutter petulantly refused to accept my pleas, loading up 0:00 over and over on the screen. Head cradled in my hands, I desperately rebooted everything and reconstructed my Adobe file, but nothing changed. In a last-ditch attempt, I consulted my peers, who off-handedly asked if my images were vector files. I blanked. Surely I didn’t forget one of the first laser-cutting procedures we had learned. It wasn’t as if I had been in a room for hours, absentmindedly staring at a poster that cheerfully read, “Make sure your engraved images are vectors!” or anything like that.
Needless to say, I was humbled to my knees by basic laser-cutting procedures today. However, it was a good lesson on making sure to pay close attention to foundational practices. My experiences also taught me that it’s okay to ask for help because we’re meant to lift up the people around us.
Big shout-out to my peers, Beck and Kiran, for the moral support. Thank you to whoever reads my blog as well, for entertaining my theatrics. I nearly sobbed with joy when my assembled project came together (only slightly smoky! smoking hot, who?).
How much did this project cost?
- Raw materials
- 1/8” x 2′ x 4′ wood panel: $6.49
- Tools
- adobe illustrator 1-month subscription: $19.99
- from the oedk: laser cutter
- Labour
- $15/hour for somewhat skilled work
- ~3 hours: $45
TOTAL: $71.48
measuring the kerf
printing out the pieces
laser-cut box (front)
laser-cut box (back)
clean workspace
