Laser Cut Table

A flat packable side table for the temporarily furniture-less nomad.

Laser cut furniture!

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Step 1: Design

If not obvious, the intent is to make this table appear to look like the cutaway of an unguided bomb.

The table is made from three pieces - the base (2 parts) and a top.

I left some holes in the center area to allow an alarm clock cord to pass through.

jack ruby says: Apr 30, 2011. 9:37 PM

Is there anyone in the bay area that rents time on laser cutters or CNC routers? Does the place you made your table ?

asthmaticatom in reply to jack rubyOct 19, 2011. 12:16 AM

There is this new place called http://www.laserbuilt.com in San Francisco

tlalexander in reply to jack rubyAug 29, 2011. 12:34 PM

Late reply but there absolutely is a place you can laser stuff. Techshop! Locations in San Jose, Menlo Park, and San Francisco. Check out Techshop.ws

I just signed up again after a long hiatus and its great. If you sign up, tell them Taylor Alexander referred you and I'll get a nice free class coupon. :)

For the lazier among us, Ponoko in Oakland will laser stuff for you and mail it your way.

LaserMartina says: Apr 4, 2011. 1:48 AM

My friend's company got a Trotec Laser Cutter Speedy 500. Do you think it is possible to make such a table with this laser machine too?

Wynfordeagle says: Jan 16, 2011. 9:50 AM

I am impressed with this. What width of material did you use. That would be key to getting it to fit together. You do not say in the instructable

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trebuchet03 (author) in reply to WynfordeagleJan 16, 2011. 10:18 PM

Material is roughly .2 inches.... I didn't specify as your material may be different and your cutting setup will most likely be different - you'll have to tweak/scale/modify to fit your needs.

Wynfordeagle says: Jan 16, 2011. 1:11 PM

I also wanted to ask does the file also contain the instruction to print the artwork as I have downloaded the file and opened it in Solidworks eDrawings but I do not see artwork of the girl

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trebuchet03 (author) in reply to WynfordeagleJan 16, 2011. 10:16 PM

No artwork - just the mechanical profiles....

I'll have to track down the file I used to actually cut - I can't remember where it ended up...

drgn369 says: Jan 16, 2011. 10:11 AM

I like it simple functional and a clean design I will just have to figure out how to make it with the high tech tools

Virus27 says: Jan 13, 2011. 8:40 PM

gosh i wish i had that type of equipment.... i'm a military graphic artist, but i don't have the equipment or the money to do these kinds of projects but would love to.....

P.S. great design!

elliferg in reply to Virus27Jan 16, 2011. 8:02 AM

Thank you for your service.

Is there a hobby shop at your base? My last base had a pretty decent one with hourly rentals of space and equipment, as well as people who could give advice (but not touch projects). I used the auto part mostly, but the prices were very reasonable, even as an E2.

dulciquilt says: Jan 16, 2011. 7:11 AM

I have been trying to design something similar to this, just a simple pyramid, to use as pedestals at an art gallery. I doubt most people would recognize the bomb and it has very nice lines. I need something I can store in the van and set up/take down quickly. This is perfect.

thepelton says: Jan 14, 2011. 10:46 AM

I also noticed that you said your favorite number is 42.

Have you read "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", by Adams?

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trebuchet03 (author) in reply to thepeltonJan 14, 2011. 11:37 AM

Indeed - required reading for those that want to increase their not-yet-invented word vocabulary (of which, there's a dictionary - "The meaning of Lff" and "The (greater) meaning of Liff")

I've recently read "Last To See" which is a Nonfiction by Adams, and still hilarious and then a little sad as at least one of the species in the book has since gone extinct (that book is 20 years old :p).

I'm going to start "The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul" soon too but, I want to finish some Philip K. Dick stories first....

thepelton in reply to trebuchet03Jan 15, 2011. 12:02 PM

"Only Apparrently Real" is a biography in interviews of P.K. Dick. I reccommend it.

bongodrummer says: Jan 14, 2011. 12:01 PM

Love it! Fantastic design.

thepelton says: Jan 13, 2011. 3:36 PM

Hmm. Interesting. How big is the working area in your laser? Sounds like it must be a lot larger than the one I have been using. I made an adirondack chair that might fit a barbie doll.

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trebuchet03 (author) in reply to thepeltonJan 13, 2011. 4:22 PM

It's an Epilog Legend EXT 75

36"x24"

You should totally post the chair :)

thepelton in reply to trebuchet03Jan 14, 2011. 10:44 AM

My laser is a little 12x18.

I like the idea of posting the directions for the chair. Maybe I can make it Instructable number two.

8>)

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trebuchet03 (author) in reply to thepeltonJan 14, 2011. 11:45 AM

Do it!

Smaller bed space just means you'll have to have more parts that get assembled... There's nothing wrong with machine screws - make it a feaature of the design :)

ninjarider500 says: Jan 13, 2011. 12:56 PM

what is it made out of? did you laser burn the design into the table?

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trebuchet03 (author) in reply to ninjarider500Jan 13, 2011. 1:36 PM

Luan Plywood. I just measured - it's about .2 inches thick but I believe (IIRC) it was sold as 3/16" thick. A place like Home Depot may sell it as "Sandply."

The graphic was laser etched :)

thepelton in reply to trebuchet03Jan 14, 2011. 10:51 AM

I used 3mm, or 1/8 inch Baltic Birch plywood. It's available in lumberyards in 5 foot by 5 foot squares. (153cmx153cm) for about twenty five bucks. It's cheaper if you don't have to have it cut down to put in the car, which I do. (2001 Dodge Neon).