For many years, woodworkers marveled at personalization of handcrafted goods available from large companies. In the past decade, the consumer laser has exploded on the scene, allowing access to this technology at an affordable cost.
Consumer lasers are perfect for wood projects. A few of the prominent brands available are Epilog, Orion, and Glowforge. The laser is the perfect machine to compliment the hobbyist's arsenal. So, I bought the Glowforge Plus, a mid-tier machine that I initially decided on while making wood veneer business cards for my maker friends.
Laser cutters are measured by watts: the amount of power they can provide to cut through material. The higher the wattage, the less shadowing (burned area around the cut) you get. The Glowforge Plus is a 40 watt laser, which will cut through most 1/4 wood in one pass.
Like most lasers, the Glowforge is compatible with design software such as Autodesk 360, Adobe Illustrator, and CorelDRAW. The files from the design software are transferred into an interface software for the specific machine. I prefer Inkscape, an alternative (free) open-source design software that works well with lasers and has a short learning curve. Save your designs as svgs and easily transfer them via Bluetooth, hardwire, or WiFi. It is my go-to since jpg and png files can be easily imported for engraving as it takes photos and traces them, converting it to a bitmap file so they may be engraved.
The Specs
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
Drum Style Box with Pewter Insert
A textured pewter inlay elevates this elegant box to something that you'll be proud to display.
Understanding Cordless Tools
Demystifying volts, amp hours, and types of cordless tool motors.
Traditional Fumed Finish for White Oak
A simple approach to this classic finishing technique.
Limbert Style #239 Tabouret Side Table
This side table, designed by Charles Limbert in the early 1900's, features an octagon top, Arts and Crafts details, and traditional construction methods.
Technology in the Shop
Does adding a CNC to your shop make you less of a woodworker?
Watchmaker's Cabinet
Based on watchmaker and spool cabinets, this project is a great way to hone your hand tool skills.
Shop-made Grilling Tools
Become the master of the grill after you’ve built these shop-made grilling utensils.
TSC-200 Crosscut Sled
If you caught the last issue of Popular Woodworking, you might have noticed a photo or two in the cigar humidor article featuring a new crosscut sled. The TSC-200 Crosscut Sled from Infinity Tools is a pretty nifty little sled, and if my initial project or two with it are any indication, it will be a great asset to the shop.
Ridgid R4850 Planer
The already well-regarded Ridgid thickness planer just got an upgrade. Ridgid, the Home Depot exclusive brand, just announced an upgrade to their thickness planer. The new R4850 offers some great features that make it a good option for your shop.
A Bargain Honing Jig and How To Improve It
When I first learned how to sharpen, I bought a very simple and inexpensive honing jig made in England by Eclipse. Today, the same jig is widely available under many diff erent brand names and often costs less than $15. It works quite well—I’ve used mine for years— but I’ve made a few small refinements to it. The jig’s body is aluminum, so it’s very easy to modify using a file or disc sander.
