amtechrs
Member
As mentioned and described in my introduction post, here is one of my laser segmented blank/box projects. Woods are Padauk, Purpleheart and maple burl that I stabilized. Sorry my pictures are pretty poor!
Laser segmenting
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That's amazing! And the thread came just in time, I was about to ask a question about laser segmenting!
I see that you laser cut the entire blank, and assemble it like a puzzle? I thought about doing a different process, with turning a round base blank, then laser marking the desired shape, and later laser cutting the same shape from a different wood veneer and inserting it.
I guess that will require some rotary attachment? May I also ask what laser do you use? Thanks for any information!
SteveJ
Member
Pretty cool.
How thick is the material you are using?
How thick is the material you are using?
jttheclockman
Member
Sky is the limit and this looks alot easier than rotary work. I am just going to have to do my segmenting the old fashion way. Too old to change now.
amtechrs
Member
Hello Amihai,
Thanks! Hope this helps you along. Yes, basically making a laser cut box, sort of like a puzzle. Check out my introduction post for more details. Happy to answer any other questions! My laser is an Omtech 100W CO2 laser, which is much bigger than needed. I do think the process you mentioned attempting would require a rotary. Good luck!
amtechrs
Member
Hi Steve,
For these, I'm using 1/8" thick. I can certainly go a bit thicker for larger diameter blanks.
amtechrs
Member
Hi John,
The old fashioned way is definitely the more craftsman approach. This seems a bit like cheating..Probably not for everyone's taste.
thewishman
Member
That's beautiful and creative! I love it!!
Heh. Go back far enough and I'll bet you'll find that the first neanderthal to attach a rock to the end of his stick got crap from at least one other guy telling him that 'Ogg weak. Should just improve technique with plain stick'.
Oh and thanks for the pics. I've been going nuts trying to figure out how you (laser segmenters) have been getting such amazing results. How much time did it take you just to assemble?
amtechrs
Member
Hi Darios! The method I've used here is much simpler than the only other laser cut blanks, sold as kits, which are cut using a rotary holder. Those can be far more intricate and are very cool looking. I've been laser cutting different boxes using the website I mention in my intro for some time. Just recently realized I can probably turn a box as a blank. I'm going to experiment with incorporating epoxy as well, maybe other types of inlays? Assembling the four sided boxes (not counting the ends) is fairly easy. It takes a little time to dab the CA into the joints to wick in. Then some cleanup sanding of the CA to make the blank square again to hold in the vice to drill.
Attachments
jttheclockman
Member
Do you have a link to that? I would be interested in this.
jttheclockman
Member
We in the scrollsaw world have been fighting the dreaded laser for many years. When I was on the circuit selling I have been accused of using a laser as opposed to a scrollsaw more times than I could count. I use to carry around a laser cut project and everyone could see the burn edges. Over the years I have just learned to accept it that it is just another way to do something and the results stand on their own. Today the laser have become so cheap and readily available that many people have taken them up as a hobby. There is a learning curve for sure so it is not just push a button and it is done. So hats off to you but probably in the future if there will be any more Bash party's there will have to be separate categories of contests because a hand cut segmented blank can never compete with a laser. Just can not do what you do and other do by hand. Very nicely done and no it is not cheating just another form of segmenting.
amtechrs
Member
Thank you all for the kind words, it's encouraging! John, I completely understand and appreciate your perspective!
howsitwork
Member
Very interesting and a different set of skills to learn to programme and prepare everything.
Good result too
Good result too