Laser-Cut Keepsake/Photo Box

by 23deanka

1.4K142

Intro: Laser-Cut Keepsake/Photo Box

In this instructable, I will be creating a Keepsake Box, made from wood and a laser cutter.

STEP 1: Materials

Here is a list of materials you will need:

  • Lauan Plywood (6 - 22'' x 18'')
  • Glowforge Application and Laser
  • Large Roll of Masking Tape
  • Wood Glue
  • Small Hinges and Screws
  • Inkscape Application
  • Paint, Markers, or something to color the wood with
  • Makercase Application
  • Cardboard

STEP 2: Creating Your Digital Box

To start off this project you will need to create your digital box in Makercase.

Makercase Website: https://en.makercase.com/#/

Here are the steps you need to follow once you get to the website:

  • Select "Basic Box"
  • Change the Units to Inches
  • Change the Width to 12 in
  • Change Height to 4.5 in
  • Change Depth to 6.5
  • Select the thickness as 1/8 in
  • Change the box from Closed to Open
  • Select "Finger" in Edge Joints
  • Change the "Finger Size" to 0.95875
  • Download the box plans as an SVG file

Now you must create the lid of the box in the same website:

  • Select "Basic Box"
  • Change the Units to Inches
  • Keep the Width as 12 in
  • Change the Height to 1.5 in
  • Keep the Depth as 6.5 in
  • Keep the custom thickness as 0.18 in
  • Keep the box as Open
  • Keep the Edge Joints as "Finger"
  • Change the "Finger Size" as 0.73
  • Download the box plans as an SVG file

Here are my files:

STEP 3: Printing Out a Rough Draft

First you need to transfer your box plans into Inkscape.

Once you do that you must place both sets of box plans (the lid and the body of the box) into one document.

Now, you must print out your rough draft box with the laser cutter, using Glowforge.

Assemble the rough draft box and tape, or glue, together to see if there are any mistakes.

STEP 4: Start Printing Wood Rough Draft

Once you have printed out your cardboard rough draft, you must recreate the same box (with a few changes in Makercase) with the wood.

Before you print onto the wood, tape the wood to prevent charing.

  1. Go back into Makercase
  2. Recreate the box body and lid
  3. For the body, select "Custom Thickness"
  4. Change the thickness to 0.18 in
  5. Change the "Finger Size" to 0.9675
  6. Keep all other measurements the same
  7. For the lid, also change the thickness to "Custom" as 0.18 in
  8. Change the "Finger Size" to 0.57525
  9. Again, keep all other measurements the same.

Before printing, also think about adding designs to personalize the jewelry box itself.

STEP 5: Possible Designs

To add designs to your box, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Find a decent design online (simple google search)
  2. Convert the image to an SVG file using the website https://picsvg.com/
  3. Download the new SVG design file and import it into Inkscape with your box plans
  4. Arrange your designs however you want to
  5. Save the document and name it accordingly
  6. Upload the file to the Glowforge
  7. Print the wood rough draft

In Inkscape, you must change the color of the designs to something different than the outlines of the box that you would actually cut. In Glowforge, you need to change the settings of the designs to score instead of cut, or engrave. Scoring is much quicker and leaves less charring than engraving.

Since Inkscape wouldn't allow me to insert text correctly, I added my name in the Glowforge Application.

Design Files I Used On My Box:

STEP 6: Assembly

Peel off all the tape from the wood.

Glue the box together with wood glue and let dry.

Now you can play around with a set of hinges and screws on your wood rough draft box. Test our different ways to place them onto your final box.

STEP 7: Print Wooden Final Draft

Now, change any details, measurements, or designs you don't like or would like to make different.

Once you fix all flaws, use those blueprints on the Glowforge to cut out the final draft.

After printing, assemble and glue it together to dry. Then you can prepare to paint.

STEP 8: Painting

Start by picking out a color pattern you like, and use a small paint brush to finely add detail to the designs.

Be very careful as messing up would be very difficult to fix.

Add as much color as you like and add it anywhere you want.

As I got down to the very tiny designs, I used fine point sharpies as the paint brush was too large, or gel pens.

Once you have completed painting, add the hinges to attach the lid and body of the box together.

STEP 9: Final Product

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