Laser Cut Wooden Box

Screenshot 2018-12-13 at 11.32.40 AM.png

This is a wooden box made using the laser cutter. You can make this for anything you want. This process is very simple and easy to do if you have all the right materials. You can add words, etchings, and paint and decorate your box. You can add hinges to your box so the top is a lid or you can leave it open to have easy access to whatever is inside.

Use Box Designer to Design the Pieces of Your Box

Screenshot 2018-10-12 at 11.22.53 AM.png

Screenshot 2018-10-12 at 11.24.27 AM.png

Go to boxdesigner.connectionlab.org and type in our measurements and units you want for your box.

Then all your pieces will appear as a pdf.

Use Gravit to Add Design to Your Box

Screenshot 2018-10-12 at 11.23.55 AM.png

Screenshot 2018-10-12 at 11.24.03 AM.png

Screenshot 2018-10-12 at 11.40.42 AM.png

Go to Gravit.io and push "Try it now", then push "Use it online". Now insert the pdf file of your box.

Now you should be in this editing site

You can add text, change the font and size but you need to also modify it before cutting. Select the text box and click "modify" in the top left corner, then click "path" then "convert to path"

You can also add pictures but you need to modify it as well by clicking "modify" in the top left corner and then "path" then "vectorize image"

You can also keep the puzzle edge or make them flat. To make the edge flat click the pointer selection in the toolbar and click the "subselect" pointer. Then click on one of your pieces and hold down "shift" on your keyboard and select all the boxes that pop up around your piece.

When you're fully done designing your box, save it as an SVG file through the editing site.

How to Change Files From SVG to Ai

Screenshot 2018-10-12 at 11.43.47 AM.png

1. Open up Adobe Illustrator

2. Open your SVG file

3. Choose your selection tool in your toolbox

4. Click on the line of one of your shapes

5. Right-click then press "release cliqqing mask"

6. Select on the same line, right-click and ungroup

7. Then select the background and delete it

8. Click the file "save as", convert to "Adobe Illustrator" (ai)

9. Save it

Cutting the Box

Upload your ai file to the laser cutter computer and make sure everything is set up right so you can cut your box successfully. (the only reason I didn't go into more detail is because the laser cutter you are using may take different steps to cut your box)

Glue Your Box Together and Add Putty to Fill in the Cracks in Your Box If Needed

Make sure all your pieces fit together, add glue and press the pieces firmly together. When your whole box is glued, look around for spaces in your box and use putty to fill them in.

Get a little bit of putty powder and add water to make the consistency a little thick and gritty.

When the putty is all dry, sand down the edges so it is all smooth.

Now You're Ready to Add Color (etc.) to Your Box.

Screenshot 2018-12-07 at 11.18.15 AM.png

Screenshot 2018-12-13 at 11.32.47 AM.png

Use gloves and a mask to cover your face from the fumes.

Make sure you're standing a reasonable distance from the box and continue to move the spray can around so you don't get drips of paint down your box.

When you're done let it dry, then if you want, you can sand it down and add as many coats till you get your desired color with the sleek and soft look.

Add any decorations you want to your box.

Thank You !!

Thank you for taking the time to view my Instructable. I hope this inspired you to create and build a box of your own.