My eighth mandala:
This one is special because I did it in cardstock using a vacuum tray and a level 3 air assist fan reducer. I had zero flyaways, the entire thing went perfectly.  This was a good serious stress test of the vacuum tray concept, it passed with flying layered colors.  The layers are just laid on top of each other at the moment, I’ll glue them up soon.
Vacuum tray:
  
  
    The chase: 
 [image]  
So I made a fullsize tray replacement vacuum table.  The idea is that it allows me to cut very lightweight materials without worrying about flyaways. 
A quick disclaimer:  It’s possible that this is a fire risk, airflow and contained spaces and all.  I feel as though it isn’t, but I’m just a dude with a laser who thinks he’s got decent risk assessment skills.  Use your noodle if you try something like this [im… 
   
 
Air assist fan reducers:
  
  
    Disclaimer:  If you are unsure of either of the following: 
“why would you want to do this?”
“what problems could this cause?”
… then turn around and walk away, this isn’t for you  
 
             
            
              28 Likes 
            
                
           
          
            
            
              
Wait… what?
It’s gorgeous. And I need to know more…
             
            
              4 Likes 
            
           
          
            
            
              The link wasn’t there when I commented… seeking out the knowledge now… Thanks!
             
            
              5 Likes 
            
           
          
            
            
              Beautiful. I love layered mandalas, they are almost hypnotic. I have stacks of them where I have cut them and they are just waiting to be glued. One of these days I would like to figure out how to design them on my own in CorelDraw.
             
            
              5 Likes 
            
           
          
            
              
                cynd11  
              
                  
                    December 1, 2020, 11:16am
                   
                  7 
               
             
            
              That’s a gorgeous design.  Did you do it in Inkscape?
             
            
              2 Likes 
            
           
          
            
              
                cynd11  
              
                  
                    December 1, 2020, 11:53am
                   
                  9 
               
             
            
              I’m trying to learn better how to make those designs—it’s not as obvious as it might seem.
             
            
              3 Likes 
            
           
          
            
              
                dklgood  
              
                  
                    December 1, 2020, 12:38pm
                   
                  10 
               
             
            
              Beautiful result from impressive innovation.
             
            
              4 Likes 
            
           
          
            
              
                shogun  
              
                  
                    December 1, 2020,  1:41pm
                   
                  11 
               
             
            
              Very nice work and even better problem solving.
             
            
              7 Likes 
            
           
          
            
            
              Now we’re talking, paper mandalas are a go!
             
            
              5 Likes 
            
           
          
            
              
                ptodd  
              
                  
                    December 4, 2020, 12:08am
                   
                  13 
               
             
            
              I like your color selection.  Cool that you’re using your new paper set-up, too!
             
            
              2 Likes 
            
           
          
            
            
              There is a LOT OF WORK inthat design. Well done.
             
            
              1 Like 
            
           
          
            
            
              I can’t take too much credit, this design was purchased on Etsy.
             
            
              
           
          
            
              
                jsteggy  
              
                  
                    September 4, 2021,  5:14pm
                   
                  16 
               
             
            
              Definitely worth the price of admission then. I do like the color work.
             
            
              1 Like