My local library has a Glowforge Plus and Pro HD that I can get access to.
For an easy project to learn how to use it better, I wanted to make a simple box with a lid that would hold a card game. (The box for the game I have is not in good shape.)
AI tells me that I should use 1mm chipboard. I am guessing that not all chipboard is equal. They mentioned that any material I use should be laser-compatible with a CO₂ laser (forget the exact wording they used).
Does anyone have recommendations for a product I should use?
Chipboard is great if you’re making a folding box. Think like a typical paper card box that you would cut, crease, fold, glue and close up. There are template makers for this sort of box, this site is great for that:
If you want to make a more permanent box any 1/8” wood product would work pretty well. Proofgrade, hardwoods, off brand plywoods, they are all decent candidates. It mostly depends on your desired aesthetic.
There are several card boxes that have been posted here. This one is mine:
When I was selling product, I just used 80# cardstock to make boxes to hold my tiered tray designs, which were made of several pieces of 1/8” draftboard, so it should work well for cards too. I don’t know how often you play that particular game, but it should last a while.
You should also ask the library what they allow. I’d say 1/8” wood like Baltic birch is your safetest best at the library. I don’t know about yours, but my old library decided mdf was not allowed after it clogged their filter right away. I think they eventually built a ventilation system but still refused mdf because of the sticky glue left inside the machine.
I’ve never used chipboard, but if it’s more like paper or cardboard then a library probably wouldn’t mind it.
