Having a "Bevel-ish" Good Time on the Laser!

Intro: Having a "Bevel-ish" Good Time on the Laser!

I made this jig at TechShop, just because I could!

I will eventually design/create a jig to make the laser focusing easy for this one - folks may want to work on one themselves...  

****** UPDATE on Monday, May 20, 2013 *****

Using the focusing device on the laser is plenty good for getting settings okay.  No Further Jig Is Required. 

****** END OF UPDATE *****

Using the red LED spot that's built-in to the laser helps with alignment and focusing.

Overall, the jig is about 11" wide, 5" deep, and about 5" high.  The platform is about 11" wide by 6"...

 If the piece being beveled and the sacrificial piece are about the size of the platform/bed of the jig, it is easy to stay clear of the Laser's gantry when cutting a straight horizontal line...

STEP 1: Cut the 1/4" MDF

The slots are sized for .234" MDF.

I'm including a pdf which can be imported to your favorite drawing program...

Cut all the pieces, then...

STEP 2: The Drawing Looks Like This...

There are three 45-degree supports, a base for the whole thing, a platform for holding the piece, and a lip to keep it all lined-up...

STEP 3: Put the Pieces of MDF Together...

And once together, they will fit like this...

STEP 4: Now Test With It...

I made the lip tall enough so a sacrificial piece of 1/8" MDF can be used between the piece to be beveled and the jig itself - this should help the jig to last longer.

Have fun with this one!!

Comments

[alinke]

very helpful! thanks for sharing, I'm going to give it a shot

[DIY-Guy]

An interesting Instructable. Do you mind adding some information on the actual cutting settings, how to deal with depth, etc.? Thank you very much!

[togo1919]

Hi.

This is a foundation jig for experimentation. The goal with my project is to inspire further thought and testing. Each case is unique.

Tom

[stargazah]

Good luck Tom, I'm rooting for you to win the laser =)

[togo1919]

Thank you, Chris!

[Mindmapper1]

excellent idea! will be trying this out!

[togo1919]

Thank you for checking-in, Mindmapper1!