How to Fake a Laser Cut

Introduction: How to Fake a Laser Cut

About: I'm16 and in my free time I control cockroaches, weld, make canoes from duct tape, 3D print, make helmets, light big pieces of wood on fire, and other awesome stuff

all the awesome people have laser cutters (kiteman, pier 9 and many more!). And with laser cutters come those cool burn marks on the side. So I decided I would try to fake it.

For the Epilog contest: if I had a laser cutter I would redo this project with a real laser cutter. (then I would do the rest of the K-man's i'bles)

Step 1: Acquire .PDF of Your Design

Acquire a .PDF of the design you want.

got the bowtie design from Kiteman's (awesome) instructable.

Step 2: L̶a̶s̶e̶r̶ Cut It!

Print out your .PDF and staple it to your wood. Now break out that reciprocating saw (that has sat forgotten for months) and cut it out. using a bandsaw would probably be better but the saw broke on mine so.......

Step 3: Fake It

now for the magic!

First tape everything but the sides. Then get a blowtorch (parental guidance required) and burn the sides. I noticed that if you hold it in one place everywhere but where you are pointing turns black so the more you move the more the burn marks!

Step 4: Show Off Your Laser Cut Item

now show people (or dogs) your awesome (fake) laser cut :)

and now here is a GIF for your troubles

Instructable Robot

Step 5:

Epilog Contest VII

Participated in the
Epilog Contest VII

Animal Innovations Contest

Participated in the
Animal Innovations Contest

Be the First to Share

    Recommendations

    • Game Design: Student Design Challenge

      Game Design: Student Design Challenge
    • Big and Small Contest

      Big and Small Contest
    • For the Home Contest

      For the Home Contest

    13 Comments

    0
    Kiteman
    Kiteman

    7 years ago

    Haha, that's the first time I've seen hand-made techniques being used to fake the machine-made look, usually it's the other way round!

    0
    bravoechonovember1
    bravoechonovember1

    Reply 7 years ago

    *usually

    I thought about not publishing this but "I shalt post" :)

    0
    alames
    alames

    Reply 7 years ago

    Another way to do this without the fire is to use a very dull blade and force it through anyway. That or sand the edges with a power sander and worn out sandpaper.
    Great ible.

    0
    bravoechonovember1
    bravoechonovember1

    Reply 7 years ago

    good suggestion but fire is always good :)

    thank you! (I would also appreciate a vote)

    0
    SerialNano
    SerialNano

    Reply 7 years ago

    Very nice 'ible! I couldn't help but notice some slight burning on the faces of the wood; could this potentially be remedied by sanding the faces after burning to give it a cleaner look?

    0
    bravoechonovember1
    bravoechonovember1

    Reply 7 years ago

    yes good idea! but I used plywood with a paper front so it would peel away

    0
    Antzy Carmasaic
    Antzy Carmasaic

    7 years ago

    Nice technique. You should try kerfing the next time XD
    I like the main image of your dog wearing the bow and instructable tee...

    0
    DEEJAY642
    DEEJAY642

    7 years ago

    i like your dog and am gonna vote for him!!!!

    0
    bravoechonovember1
    bravoechonovember1

    7 years ago

    I've entered this in a few contests and would appreciate some votes so I can do this for real!

    Untitled-15ssqqq.gif