Laser Experiment Heart shaped Box

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I just acquired a new laser and wanted to see what I could do with it. Could I make a box using only the laser. I came close, but did use my lathe for the feet and some scrap trim I had from another project for the pieces that join the 2 halves of the heart. There are a few things that would have been much faster if I used the router to make the dados.

I found a free laser project on the web and modified it to let me build this box. I like the way you can bend BB ply once it is cut like the sides of this box. I used the laser to engrave deep enough to insert the sides into the top and bottom. It took much longer than I thought it would, but I didn’t use full power, so it might have worked a little better. Making a template and then using my router to cut the dado for the sides in the top and bottom is how the box should have been made.
The last picture shows that all the elements are cut through not just engraved.
It was a fun project to see if it could be done using hardwood. I know it looks crafty and I’m not really into that, but there are friends and family that like that kind of thing. Let me know what you think.

.................. John D....................

23 Comments

very cool my friend. i wish i was more savvy with technology. my little laser is more than enough for me.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

love the box, the fact that the sides are the same inside and out with the hearts is really good.   Well done

Ron

Dude! Well done! Matter of fact,it's awsum!

Hey, you don't know me, but you don't like me ... Buck Owens

Looks great! Nicely done. 

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Maybe crafty, but a great little box. Looks great!!
Now that is a real looker!

3mm (1/8") BB eh? Looks like it cut nicely. How thick are the top/bottom?
The blackened edges look great, nice contrast on the woods.
Fun thing is with the laser, you can easily make templates for the various bits from masonite. Router with a bearing bit or collar and your uncle is Bob!

I'd call that a winner 👍

Very attractive elegant looking box. Wow! Well done!
I'd say you're mastering the laser pretty well.
Very nice project!
Love it!  Very creative.  
Oh this is the item I shouldn’t show it to my wife!!! very nice:)

No name noobie here

Thanks for all the nice comments.

The BB cuts like butter, but it was only 3mm. I’m going to pick up some 1/4” or 6mm because I want to make something that cuts easily, but has some strength. The laser caramelizes the edges and they have very little to no transfer of soot to your skin when handling them. It hasn’t worked that way with any hardwoods that I’ve cut.

.................. John D....................

Yeah, I've found that some exotics like Jatoba "sweat" when being burned.

Your cuts on the BB, not all the way through right? (at least the hearts look solid).
Curious on the bending, does the pattern "flip" on the inside?

This would be neat to try with some veneered BB, could make the box sides look like any type of wood!
Yes that works. But it only works with ply because it needs the cross grain to prevent snapping.
The hearts and the lines are all cut completely through. Here’s a better pic.

.................. John D....................

That's the money shot I needed, thanks John 👍
Impressive work! That’s a beautiful box. I like how clean and precise everything looks.
Absolutely successful experiment! Very beautiful

...woodicted

Thanks a lot guys, still seeing what this thing can do.

.................. John D....................