A laser-cut light-up nameplate

I am a little surprised that I did not write about this months ago because I finished the project back in March.  After building the InfoNinja, I thought about projects that would help me to hone my laser-cutting skills.  Although my bolted mortise and tenson joints were adequate, and tention held everything together nicely, those joints … Continue reading A laser-cut light-up nameplate

Adventures in cat-scratching -or- how a laser project became a regular project

When you first start out with the laser cutter (for me, not in-person but via a service like Ponoko), it seems that everyone’s “hello, world” project is a set of coasters.  I have done a couple of projects since then, but have had one in particular in my eye that is actually not that much … Continue reading Adventures in cat-scratching -or- how a laser project became a regular project

Designed by Brian, manufactured by lasers: part 2, The Programmer’s Desk Reference

This is a followup to my previous post, Designed by Brian, Manufactured by Lasers.  That was my “Hello, World” introduction project to laser cutting: simple coasters with etched designs and a coaster-holder. This second laser-cut project was designed to have a bit more 3D, using a couple of interlocking pieces.  I do quite a bit … Continue reading Designed by Brian, manufactured by lasers: part 2, The Programmer’s Desk Reference

Designed by Brian, manufactured by lasers

I have been making 3D prints on the MakerBot for almost a year now (see my posts tagged MakerBot for more detail) and have always wanted to try doing things with a laser cutter, but felt intimidated.  First off, to actually own a laster cutter is a pretty big investment — like a brand new luxury compact … Continue reading Designed by Brian, manufactured by lasers

TechShop Portland

I went to the open house for TechShop Portland the other night. For those that have not heard of TechShop (I hadn’t until just last weekend), it is a sort of co-op machine shop. They described it something like “start out with a gym, then remove the useless stuff like exercise equipment, then bring in … Continue reading TechShop Portland