Laser Cut Candle Holders

Inspired by those awesome Moroccan cutout lanterns, I made a set of three laser cut candle holders, perfect for small votive candles or tea lights.  All the laser cutting for the project was done at TechShop SF. 

Step 1: 3D Modeling

I modeled the candle holders in AutoCAD by drawing two boxes and subtracting the inner volume from the outer box.  I exported this shape from AutoCAD as a single stl file.  I've attached the dwg and stl files below, the candle holder measures 3"x3" and 4" tall.

I imported the stl file into 123D Make, a free app that lets you prepare your 3d files for laser cutting.  I'm using a new preview version of 123D Make that is not available to the public yet, so I had a lot of control over the type of joints to use for my candle holders.  The public version of 123D Make will be getting regular updates in the coming moths, so hopefully you will be able to use these features soon too!

In 123D Make, I set the joint type to finger joint with 11 fingers for each joint.  I specified the dimensions of my material and 123D Make created 2D vector files with the correct finger size and fit them onto sheets for laser cutting.

Step 2: Adding Cut-Out Patterns

I imported the eps files from 123D Make into Corel Draw and drew in some patterns on the four walls of the candle holders.  I made the cut-outs fairly detailed, I'm hoping they will cast some interesting shadows.  The image above shows the final file I sent to the laser cutter (I've also attached this below).

Step 3: Laser Cutting

I cut out my parts out of 1/4" (0.24" to be specific) plywood on an Epilog120 laser cutter at TechShop SF.  If you do not have access to a laser cutter, consider using an online fabrication service like Ponoko.

Step 4: Assembly

I glued the pieces of the three candle holders together with wood glue.  I bought three small votive candles from a local Walgreens, lit them and carefully placed them in the holders... and that's it!  Please, remember that wood (especially laser cut wood) is flammable.  If you decide to make something like this, never leave the flame unattended.

Comments

[silverbackinc365]

I got to step my game up. This is awsome

[e_clark]

you can use https://en.makercase.com/#/
to make the finger joint box and https://polygonia.design/
for the design on it!

[SebastianG142]

Great project and this can be a fantastic Nigh Light

[deltingdesigns]

Please be very very careful with these as we have had one catch fire whilst in use. I don’t actually believe they are suitable for naked flames and should only be used with battery powered tea lights.

[PeterB380]

These are beautiful. I'm going to make these as my first laser cutter project this afternoon. Thanks so much for the great tutorial. Cheers.

[twofoot]

Can you please post as DXF?

[Trotec Laser Canada]

wow amazing! We will post laser cut lanterns out of paper on our page soon!

[Inscribe Kenya]

Hi there... that's an amazing project. however which wood is this?

[CarlosD159]

genial

[the engraver]

What was the setting for your laser? power and speed?

[dpizetta]

Very very nice :) Thks for sharing. I wish I had a laser cutter or a easy way to find one to make use, but here in Brazil it is really expansive/hard to find. It is in my wish list :)

[Raitis]

You might have better luck with CNC router maybe? That should do if you did a little bit of design editing or even cut as is. Just the finger joints for corners should be changed. ;)

[Kreat0r]

very creative, looks great!

[Denisd21]

very nice!

congratulations.

[Seeed Studio]

It's beautiful, can't wait to make one.

[Sameer Safdar]

sameeer

[masterURlaser]

These look so great!

[Incujams]

Thanks for the reply! Project currently in process!

[Incujams]

Great design! By chance, do you have this in a downloadable dxf file?

[amandaghassaei]

sorry, I was using corel at the time. You can save the cdr as an ai file using corel and from there I think you can save a dxf in illustrator. sorry about that!