How to commission a wooden laser cut project?

November 8, 2022 4:39 PM

I have a gift idea for someone and it involves laser cutting and engraving a flat wooden object, but I am by no means a "maker" type person and have no idea how to get it made. Not only that, I have no idea how to even find someone who can help me get it made. Please help me...more details below the fold.

Basically what I want are a pair of adjustable sock blockers (example) but with a very specific pattern engraved on them (the pattern won't work as a cut out).

I found a vector file of the general sock blocker pattern, and have played around enough in cuttle.xyz to be confident that I can supply an SVG file of the design I have in mind to whomever I find to work with.

I've done some basic searching, but clearly I don't know the right keywords to search for because I haven't found anything other than industrial laser cutting operations.

So, any tips on finding someone who can work with me on the design and creating my idea?

posted by noneuclidean to Grab Bag (9 answers total)

Best answer: What part of the world are you located in? This looks to be pretty trivial for anyone with a semi-competent laser. Like, even a diode laser could do it.

…so if you look around for a local “makerspace” you can probably post on their message board or the like? Also many educational institutions now have lasers for their classes/clubs, and you could also try a place like 100K Garages that try to index people with relevant equipment.

You may find it handy to whip up a full SVG of what you’re after, as it will help your interlocutors understand what they’re getting in to (a noticeable percentage of inquiries want the moon for the cost of a grain of sand). It doesn’t have to be the final design, just a usable start that clearly shows the kind of difficulty you’re going for.
posted by aramaic at 5:25 PM on November 8, 2022

Best answer: aramaic has what I was about to say.

A few details:

• you're likely going to be using 3 mm thick plywood: every laser cutter I have been near uses that.
• the edges will be stained dark brown with laser burn, and this transfers onto material on contact. Same goes for any engraving on top. Light varnish should stop this.
• you probably don't need to allow for kerf. Some people do, some people don't.
• depending on your laser operator's stock, you will likely be cutting on sheets 600 × 300 mm or smaller. Sometimes you might have to rearrange bits to make them fit, but be aware that having two adjoining parts with woodgrain going in different directions looks weirder than it should.
• failing a library or makerspace, you're probably looking for a laser engraving service.

posted by scruss at 5:35 PM on November 8, 2022

Looks like Etsy has a few customisable options as long as you don’t mind shipping from Europe. I just searched for adjustable sock blockers.

You could contact those sellers and see if they’re able to use your SVG or they might be able to make it for you.
posted by poxandplague at 5:58 PM on November 8, 2022

CNC for wood, doesnt use lasers, but cutters which spin, etc. Wood CNC routing machine. Good f8nisb woodworkers have these.
posted by Oyéah at 5:59 PM on November 8, 2022

setup and inputs for cnc very different from lasercut, Oyéah. There isn't the "make it so" aspect that SVG → lasercut has
posted by scruss at 7:24 PM on November 8, 2022

Best answer: If you can make a file yourself, you can simply upload it to Ponoko and they will laser cut it for you.

I would recommend using thicker than 3mm wood for this application. 4 to 6mm would be the range I'd look at.
posted by fake at 8:09 PM on November 8, 2022

Best answer: ...speaking of Ponoko, if you can generate a usable file then I have absolutely NO idea why I didn't remember to mention SendCutSend. Send your file to both, get some quotes, and away you go.

You definitely definitely want to check the SendCutSend Design Guidelines for laser cutting (Ponoko has their own version).

SCS is geared up for cutting metal and similar materials, but they also do wood (the only distinction being, really, that some of their geometry suggestions don't apply to wood as it's more forgiving).
posted by aramaic at 8:34 PM on November 8, 2022

In my area there are a ton of people selling laser-cut products at local craft fairs and on Facebook Marketplace. I'd bet if you ask around a little bit, you'll be able to find someone who would cut this project for you.
posted by belladonna at 3:41 AM on November 9, 2022

I'm in the Boston area. I have a laser cutter at work. I'd be happy to cut it for you. DM me.
posted by KevCed at 10:19 AM on November 27, 2022 [1 favorite]