All Recyclable Material -"30" -Batter Up Table"- I Made It at Techshop!

Here is another art piece side table I created at Tech Shop with 100% recycled material. 
I love the challenge of reutilizing what I have before me, or as other Techshop members leave behind on the free shelf to repurpose!
Another person's trash is another person's treasure!
This was designed for a donated piece for a donation to an Art Council to raise funds via creating  Artworks out of  Baseballs.

I found the round acrylic panel and immediately thought- this would be great for a table top and the balls could be popping through the table!

http://www.techshop.ws

Step 1: Always Begin With the End in Mind- Use Your Sketchbook.

Always begin with the end in mind! I use my sketchbook to sketch out ideas.
Notice that my first idea was not the best and I developed a better plan from there.

I save also my notes as to what is best for the laser for cutting on certain materials, I've done in the past. 
Remember the less time prepping, although important and critical for a  great art piece= more time working and producing your art!

So be prepared and keep records! it is so helpful. 

Step 2: Material List (optional and Required)

Material list needed: (optional)
-Cardboard 28"X17"  if using the Tortec Laser at Techshop

Material list: (required)
-Tortec Laser (or your choice)
-three- 1/4" plywood- 28"x17 "
- 3 used baseballs
-14" diameter acrylic 1/4" panel (color your choice)
-glue (your choice of what you like to use-mine: Titebond)
-Polycrylic (not shown, but used to seal wood)
-clothes pins (about 30 as mini clamps- optional)
-Bucket
-Water
-Paint brush

Paint the materials (optional)
Acrylic Brown Paint

Step 3: Step 1: Test Your Work, Always With Cardboard!

So I always use cardboard to test my samples. 
1. Becuase it's free
2. it allows room for my mistakes and 
3. I can see my work coming along the process without messing up my final materials (which are normally recyclable!)

Step 4: Build Prototype and Fix Glitches!

I test it out and build my prototype.
Now notice that this work is not the same as my final.
I actually, was not happy with this design and ended up changing a few things before cutting out final piece. 
I wanted the "bats" to be angled and centered more, so teh balls would placed differently at the top. A little more balanced.

Step 5: Once Fixed and Adjusted to Your Liking: Laser Time!

Finally...we are get to cut out on the real thing. 
Here's  a picture of my settings, but you feel free to find out what works for you

There are some left over pieces you need to save:
Pictures are here to help you not throw them out: the rings and the little nods that were cut out of the homeplates. You will use those as  
as cleats for under the shelving.

TIP: Also, the acrylic I found was already cut out to diameter I needed for the table top. So I cut it out of cardboard sample for the top and removed the circle cardboard.Leave the outside part of the cardboard down. Replace it with your desired circle and adjust laser to print acrylic not cardboard and redo job. 

Or just purchase acrylic panel and you can totally skip this part.

Step 6: Build and Finish!

So it's kind of like a puzzle: the bats all fit together like so teh they are standing on the top of the bat and the handles are facing up.
Once constructing the three bats.

**WARNING: THIS PART REQUIRES PATIENCE. I HAD TO WALK AWAY ONCE TO GET THE PIECES TO WORK JUST RIGHT.**
HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS, BUT FOR FUTURE PERHAPS I NEED TO MAKE THE NOTCHES  IN THE HOME PLATE 1/16" LARGER THAN MY PDF. (YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY ADJUSTING).

FIrst (smalled home plate carefully ( up the level you would like for the first shelving) Mine is about 12 inches from the bottom.
Next the medium home plate about 6 inches from the bottom.
Finally the largest home plate about an inch from the bottom.

Step 7: Utilize the Resources Given: Reuse What You Have!

There are some left over pieces you need to save. Remember to hold onto these: you rings you laser cut out are three each. 
The two skinny ringts

REMEMBER THOSE PIECES YOU NEEDED TO SAVE? 
Here is where they go--
Pictures are here to help you not throw them out: the rings and the little nods that were cut out of the homeplates. You will use those as 
as cleats for under the shelving.
I used Titebond 11 to glue under the shelving and attached to the bats ( after I found the desired height for each shelving.)
Also, sorry no picture- I forgot to take.
I used the clothespins to secure and support unti they were dry and then removed them

Add the rings to the top of the bats and glue
Add the balls.
Add the acrylic panel.
You have a side table for any baseball decor you would like to add to your room.