Weekly Highlights for the Week Ending March 4th, 2017

[Jules]

Last Week’s Goodies:
Weekly Highlights for the Week Ending February 25th, 2017

The Official Word:

---

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/3/8/38adaac41b91657b87c90391e4d42cddea32658a_1_666x500.jpg

Production Shielding is IN! Yeah, baby!

Make Something: First Tests

Oh yes - production shielding’s in. And you noticed the speaker I see. Some other improvements that aren’t visible that facilitate larger scale production, too. …that @rpegg smile…

Cloudbleed Security Question

Cloudbleed security question

@Hirudin asked in this thread about whether we were affected by the so-called “Cloudbleed” bug that was discovered on 2/17. We analyzed this quickly on the same day and were fairly certain we would not be affected, but wanted to do a deeper investigation before we made a final conclusion. In short, good news: we use Cloudflare primarily for DNS and do not pass any login data through their servers, so we were not affected and no action is required.

Could You cut 18 mm Wood with a Glowforge?

Cutting wood (limitations/expectations)

If I was in a locked room with a Glowforge and had to cut a door handle out of 18mm plywood to get out, I’m pretty sure I could do it. But it’s designed for use up to 1/2", no more, and then only certain materials.

Probably a Good Thing Our Fearless Leader is Not in Charge of the Catalog Submissions.
(This is a Pine Tree.)

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/b/b/bbc9a7b62a5a092a582a920a03ca4d4062043ebb_1_519x500.jpg

PreRelease and Beta Projects:

---

Gorgeous Grayscale Engrave (WIP)

First Cut (Pre-Release)

Designing for a detailed engrave is going to be interesting, sometimes challenging. The Glowforge part (SW and H/W) is easy using Proofgrade but when working with a laser I will need to be very aware of subtle differences in greyscale. To get the light shades the darker parts might end up too dark. I have some fairly good image editing S/W that I can adjust the dark and light separately, might try it later. But still, I just grabbed one of the wife’s random pencil drawings, threw in Proofg…

Ban the Burn!

Free Design - Glue Gun and Sticks Holder

Were re-organizing our workshop and craft rooms, and in the process thought we could use something to hold our glue guns while in use etc, as they are messy. Glue_Gun_Holder.pdf (74.3 KB) Screen shot of what the layout looks like. I made the bottom piece in a different color (hard to see here) so that you can cut that separately if you want. Its recommended that you use acrylic for that piece so its easy to peel the melted glue off. [image] Heres what it looks like built. This is also a bi…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/f/b/fbfe26eea2fb639ca202e18172d73bc023c0626f_1_500x500.JPG

Headphone Holder

Headphone holder realized

Remember that headphone holder I designed months ago in anticipation of the Glowforge? Well, here it is in 1/8 proofgrade. I wish I had some 1/4" as I had to cut about 10 spacers to do this. I didn’t want this to drag on so I picked up the first wood CA I’ve used and glued it up with that so It was finished in no time. I now realize I should have either engraved or cut a pattern in the lower plate area. I’ll get to ascetics at some point. Here she is with the one I cnc’d sometime back …

Crafty Cork Coasters

Coastering in with some cork samples

I’d been waiting to try out cork on the Glowforge for a while and finally got around to trying some. My daughters came up with some designs that they wanted to try making coasters out of so we did that set first. They turned out quite nice. They’re sharp and clear with great contrast. [image] Here are a couple of close ups for a more detailed view. [image] [image] I decided to do some mandalas to see how intricate the patterns could get and tried one pair at 100% black and another at 60…

Glowforge Made @rpegg Squee! (Magic does happen with this thing!)

Make Something: First Tests

A couple months ago I posted that should I ever be lucky enough to get a visit from a FedEx truck that my wife would document the unbridled excitement. Here tis. [Smile]

Smile

First Cut!

First Cut (Pre-Release)

Tend not to like drawing attention to what I do (unless it’s tongue in cheek), but Glowforge has kindly sent a Pre-Release unit my way. So first impression. I must say the darn thing is built like a tank and pretty much idiot proof. The S/W will need to add features and evolve but it’s capable. Only had time so far to print the standard founder’s ruler and the luggage tag shown below. Both of course were flawless. [image] Last summer I ran across an old rotting 1966 Scotty travel trai…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/f/a/fa29aaf907ebe2bead89947072babcc0ec7f6a7b_1_690x458.JPG

Yet Another First Cut

Yet another first cut YAFC

Brace yourself, your going to see more and more of these as production increases. Fed Ex guy brought my preproduction today just as I had to leave for work. I got home and did the unpack and setup. Easy peasy. I hit a few snags but 90% my fault the other 10% was just needing to reboot the unit. Once I got a good boot she went to town and I am truly amazed. I have been expecting great things and we got it. Proofgrade is going to be worth far more than any premium we pay for it. I hope before i…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/c/a/ca7cd803c0196c5d7826b016ef798bcb5b8c3078_1_690x388.jpg

Super Sweet Sunglasses Case

Beta Project 9_JM - Sunglass Case

I thought it would be fun to make a sunglass case mixing a living hinge wood exterior with etched panels and a leather interior. It quickly became a project with structural credit (and a lot more) going to @chadmart1076 ! Several hand sketches and enlistment of my said in-house CAD designer we finally came up with a winning design The front features an etched panel with a leather flag tab that secures the top flap to a button closure . [image] The interior is lined with teal dyed leather int…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/3/6/36d78d57644f2b6b883d48b63b7eeaafe7dac5f3_1_375x500.JPG

Adjustable Car Phone Cradle

Beta Project - Car Phone Holder

Recently got a new phone, and didn’t want the same kind of case I had before, so my previous car-holder was no longer viable… plus it kept popping out of the CD player (the mount friction fit into the CD slot and used a magnet to attach to a piece of metal between the case and my phone… and it’s wearing out anyway). I revived an old design I made using my 3D printer… which worked ok, but melted in the hot CA sun. So I made it a little more simple and voila! I have a Mini, which has these rails…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/2X/c/c13c1342655d7569c798169aee6937a95a45d643_1_514x500.JPG

Daring Dragon!

Terezi Cosplay prop

My daughter is cosplaying a Homestuck character named Terezi Pyrope. The character is blind and at times carries a signature weapon, her cane. This prop is a bit different than others since it isn’t readily apparent where the Glowforge came into play. I modeled the dragon head of the cane in 3d and then made 2d slices which I cut out of plywood and glued together. A bit of sanding, sculpting, and painting later and you have what you see here. Additionally the retaining mechanism that keeps the t…

Double Sided Engraving

Double Sided Engraving

I created a file back in the beginning of time to test double sided engraving (and a few other things, like whether to score and engrave, or just engrave, etc.). It’s a rack hook that will enable me to remove toast from a little countertop toaster oven. (Without toasting my hand in the process.) [image] As I originally designed it, it was a little bit too large to fit comfortably in my hand, so I shrank it and printed a couple super small, just to see how small I could…

Initial Inlay Tests

Basic Inlay testing (Pre-Release)

It looks like the Glowforge inlay process will be fairly straight forward. I have a pile of exotic wood veneers with a dozen names I can’t pronounce given to me as scrap. Interested in using these scraps in a number of inlay applications. The veneers are extremely thin .02". As a test I took a piece of Proofgrade maple plywood (very nice) and with the engrave capability dug a uniform, flat bottom, perfectly circular hole. I then cut an appropriately sized circle from a piece of thin veneer…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/d/9/d9289315aac827a9ce949384de895ef2fd981b87_1_690x458.jpg

Just a Quickie

Just a Quickie (butterfly pitcher coaster)

I ran off this Butterfly Pitcher Coaster because I thought I’d left open paths in it…but it turns out I’d fixed them up a few months ago. (Sorry about that…I’ll test another one after I cut a few paths.) But I figured I’d display it here since I already cut it. [image]

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/6/e/6e83230a93be370803ba67c07e0a81d2780d1537_1_666x500.jpg

Tests on Titanium (Not Officially Sanctioned)

Testing titanium

I did some quick tests with titanium. Not sure of the exact alloy this one is as I got some from a friend of a friend, but it looks promising I did 3 tries of my grey scale map to see how they’d do. [image] Starting with the lightest on the far right where I used minimum power and maximum speed which was way too light, I tried increasing power for the second one and then I reduced speed as well for the third which really started to look good. The interesting thing about tita…

Testing titanium

I don’t know if it’s safe, or if it will damage the Glowforge unit.

Had to Do It!

Had to Do It!

Y’all remember the little Narwhal that @smcgathyfay shared with us all? Well, she made him a little buddy, and this one is even cuter, so I’ve now got two phone stands, one for the kitchen, and one for the desk. He’s just fantastical! (And I’m more than a little chagrined that she can knock these things out so fast, but I’m not above taking advantage of it on a hard day.) So thank you Stephanie! He’s SQUEEEEE! [image] Here’s the two together, deciding wher…

Pretty Planter in Progress

Beta Project: Planter basket (in progress)

Hi everyone. I’m posting in-progress photos of a project I am working on. It is a planter basket that hangs on a wall. The idea is that it will be filled with a moss planter that is studded with sedums. Over time the sedums will (hopefully) fill in to cover the outside of the moss planter. The interior of the planter will have orchids, ferns, etc., so the whole thing is a living decoration that can hang on the wall permanently with minor plant upkeep. I am finished with the Glowforge part of th…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/5/a/5acc491710235eab6616d4cc77b37fe6e11aedcf_1_690x442.jpg

I’ve Got You in My Sights

Pre-Release | I've got you in my sights (prototyping)

A friend of mine is doing a soldier 76 from overwatch, [image] and couldn’t figure out how to get his visor made. I have some red acrylic sitting around, so I told him to bring his test prints over and we’d see what we could come up with. We needed to get a good flat scan of the visor shape, so we can adjust from there. I covered the 3d printed piece he had in masking tape, and cut around the edges of the tape. [image] I pulled the tape off of the 3d print, and laid it flat on a piece of …

Sand Warrior

Magic: the Gathering - Custom Token

[image] One of my favorite Magic artists is Richard Kane-Ferguson. One of my favorite cards of his is Hazezon Tamar, a creature that makes “Sand Warrior” tokens. [image] One problem though is that the card is old enough that Wizards of the Coast never printed these tokens. I attended a giant tournament for the game in Las Vegas a few of years ago, Grand Prix Las Vegas, and Richard Kane-Ferguson would be there as one of the guest artists! This was my chance! I waited for him to show up (he w…

Gear Box Goody

A gear box

Making things isn’t really a thing my wife does but the Glowforge has her looking up things to make. The ease at which she can find something and cut it out makes a lot of things happen. This is her most recent and I think its pretty cool. [image]

Nailed it!

Nailed it!

I wanted to run a quick leather project, so I thought I’d give that little Magic Braid file a try. I adjusted the tiny hole sizes for the sized brads that I bought on the 5 strand braid file and sent it to be cut. The Glowie cut it perfectly in about a minute and a half. So anyway, popped off the masking and got down to some serious braiding… . . . . Nailed it!… [image] Decided that one could be improved on a bit so gave it another shot… . [image] After a few more tries (li…

Forum Follies:

---

It’s the Real Thing!

Anthropology Museum of Mexico: Sun Stone and other inspiration

I went to Mexico City on Saturday and encountered one of the premier museums of the world. It is absolutely breathtaking. The layout, the halls, the outdoor alcoves with further architectural features is so immersive. How could I have only allowed three hours? well I did have to go and greet Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, another unique expression of Mexican culture and history. So @takitus did an engraving of the Sun Stone and that is actually what inspired me most to make the trip. I also wante…

Kewl Kayak Marquetry

Design Challenge: Kayak marquetry

I then glued the top half to the bottom half and this is where I ran into some problems. The veneer is pretty thin to start. .028" at the most. After veneering to the 1/4" plywood, some glue oozed up through the pores of the veneer. I thought it would be best to sand this off in the flat state. This worked fine, but reduced the thickness of the veneer to probably .015" in spots. In order to glue the seems together you use epoxy thickened with wood dust… I might have went overboard and you can…

DIY Shellac - French Polish

Anyone needs a good shellacking?

Found this article on Instructables on how to do a french polish finish, thought a few people might find this useful: French polish shellac

Identifying Natural and Synthetic Cork

Coastering in with some cork samples

it’s natural, you can see in the pictures - synthetic cork has a uniform texture. here’s a great comparison by some wine aficionados: [image]

A Star is Born! Welcome Inara!

Glowparents: Glowbabies!

I got an early birthday present from my wife. Meet Inara! 8lbs, 20.5" [image]

fail!

#fail. This, my friends, is why I need my Glowforge

I got all my wood planed, joined and engraved to lay in my cut letters I did the week before… To realize I didn’t do the & $+! =/! S at the end of their last name. Now I get to drive 30 mins back to my Makerspace for an S and to make thinner lines. Please, someone call the Maker whaaambulance. [image][image]

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/e/3/e35a2f269eca385e8350d50766d4d897aeea41ee_1_666x500.jpg

Yet Another 3D Online Modeling App

Yet another online 3D modeling app

Just when you thought you knew all the online modeling tools, they come out with another one… https://www.vectary.com just entered public beta today. [image] Who puts honey on cookies???

Image Transfer Decal Paper on Glass

Show and Tell

I know no one on this forum lacks creativity. But when I read about a new (to me) technique or technology, I immediately “wonder if…” Engraving photographs on various materials ranks number 1 on the Glowforge priority list for me. While patiently awaiting delivery I read about using fusible decals with glass jewelry. Will it work with my antique laser printer? Will there be enough detail to scale up to a reasonable print size? Since I use repurposed glass, how will window glass fuse with t…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/3/6/36186a1e18d4b40a6b245fbb0bc64664444042d9_1_500x500.jpg

Future’s So Bright…

Cool wooden glasses

My last pair of specs have a broken frame. The lenses are still pretty good although my prescription changed. Definite project for this weekend. Been thinking of this and using the trace on the Glowforge. Although I do have to finish the compass rose. I have some more veneers that I can use to make up the rest of the colors.

How to make wooden sunglasses // Woodworking Project | I Like To Make Stuff

The Work in Process

The Work in Process: Vectorizing Drawings for Laser Cutters

Apologies if this has already been posted. [The Work in Process: Vectorizing Drawings for Laser Cutters]

The Work in Process: Vectorizing Drawings for Laser Cutters

Gorgeous Glassworks

Show and Tell

I decided to get myself a little harbor-freight sandblasting cabinet. [image] It took me a little time to get it put together properly, fix the stuff harbor freight did wrong, caulk it up, let it dry, repaint to cover the caulking, and allow to dry again (it’s been damp round here). Then I wrapped it in leftover automotive vinyl, partly to help seal it up even more, but mainly because I had this section of leftover automotive vinyl that was never gonna go anywhere but the trash. [image] T…

/uploads/db6859/optimized/3X/c/3/c35c56413f3ebacd70e2e07e3f16454b5581e9d3_1_375x500.JPG

[rodrigobrionesm]

Wow, such a busy week!

[hansepe]

@Jules - How did I manage to miss this? I was even looking for it.

I really enjoy your weekly curated list. Thanks for helping me catch the things I missed and enjoy other posts again!

[Tex99]

Wow, great week and such a wide variety of amazing things being produced on everyone’s Glowforges.