Are you like me? A scraps saver? every project I did, there were always parts of the materials that were either too small to use at the time or too large to throw away. They are perfect to use for small items though, such as earrings, magnets, and pins....now, XCS has a great new shape library, so I decided to utilize some of those great additions to use up my saved scrapes.
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Step 1: Ideas
The inspiration for this project is from the fun Shape Library xTool provided for us in the V1.5 xTool Creative Space, as well as the need to use up the scraped wood pieces. Since the coming holiday is Halloween, Trick or Treat???
Step 2: Creating Design File
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Preparing the Basic Shapes: In xTool Creative Space, I selected some Jack-O-Lanterns, and skeletons in the Festival section, also I selected one of the spider webs and found a cute spider in the Animal section (see Photo 1). However, I did find there might be potential issues with some parts being too thin, it might be too fragile to do a small project (see Photo 2).
At the moment, XCS still lacks easy modification abilities, so to modify those areas, I have to do it with other software, luckily, we are able to export the image to SVG now, so in my preferred software, Silhouette Studio, I did the modifications needed. See Photo 3 for the result. Besides thickening those vines on the pumpkin, I eliminated one part of the skeleton and just kept the head portion, altered the shape of the spider web a little, and thickened the legs of the spider as well.
Designing the products: Now with the new shapes ready, I will be able to make them into earrings, magnets, or pins. There are many ways to do these, here is how I did mine in 3 different designs:
One-Layer Design: I use 3mm basswood for this one, these are just simple cut as is.
Two-Layer Design I: It can be done with 1.5mm for both layers. or a combination of 3mm for the top layer and 1.5mm for the bottom layer. Personally, I try not to do this with 3mm for both layers, in my opinion, it gets too thick and looks too heavy, especially for earrings and pins.
Two-Layer Design II: This will be exactly the same as Design I, except the facial detailed pieces will be inlaid into the cut-out.
For pin, it is the easiest, just cut the shape out (Photos 4 & 7).
For Magnets, on the bottom layer, cut a hole to fit the magnet you use (Photos 5 & 8).
For earrings, either cut a small hole on both layers at the same location for the earring hardware or add a small donut shape to create the hardware hole (Photos 6 & 9).
As far as the Spider and Spider Web, I just added the hole on the Spider, so it will hang from the web (Photo 10)
Save all designs to SVG format and they are ready to be cut.
Step 3: Laser Cut
Setting 1
Process Method
Laser Cut
Process Material
3mm Basswood Plywood
Power(%) or Cut Pressure(g)
100
Speed(mm/s)
4
Pass
1
Other Parameters
This setting works for both 1.5mm and 3mm basswood, but just make sure to auto-measure the thickness of the materials.
Cutting is very straightforward, just make sure to change the material measurement between switching.
I always use xTool air assist and xTool air purifier, with the honeycomb in the riser base, I auto-measure my material thickness, apply the setting then cut.
*Make sure the red laser dot hits the material when you auto-measure the material.
Step 4: Color & Assembly
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First Step: Color or stain all the pieces
Second Step: I used to spray with a few layers of clear varnish, but recently, I fell in love with the UV resin finish. It gives a nice shining and sturdier finish.
Third Step: Put together the pieces with the proper hardware.
My resin pouring experiences:
Since I make a few pieces at a time, also for small projects, I found that UV resin in squeeze bottles is easier to handle, they are rather easy to apply.
I apply it around the edges first by gently pushing the resin to create a doom edge
Fill in the rest of the area
This is a very important step to use a BBQ lighter (lowest flame setting) to gently heat the surface back and forth to release and deflate the tiny bubbles
The inspiration for this project is from the fun Shape Library xTool provided for us in the V1.5 xTool Creative Space, as well as the need to use up the scraped wood pieces. Since the coming holiday is Halloween, Trick or Treat???
Preparing the Basic Shapes:
In xTool Creative Space, I selected some Jack-O-Lanterns, and skeletons in the Festival section, also I selected one of the spider webs and found a cute spider in the Animal section (see Photo 1). However, I did find there might be potential issues with some parts being too thin, it might be too fragile to do a small project (see Photo 2).
At the moment, XCS still lacks easy modification abilities, so to modify those areas, I have to do it with other software, luckily, we are able to export the image to SVG now, so in my preferred software, Silhouette Studio, I did the modifications needed. See Photo 3 for the result. Besides thickening those vines on the pumpkin, I eliminated one part of the skeleton and just kept the head portion, altered the shape of the spider web a little, and thickened the legs of the spider as well.
Designing the products:
Now with the new shapes ready, I will be able to make them into earrings, magnets, or pins. There are many ways to do these, here is how I did mine in 3 different designs:
One-Layer Design: I use 3mm basswood for this one, these are just simple cut as is.
Two-Layer Design I: It can be done with 1.5mm for both layers. or a combination of 3mm for the top layer and 1.5mm for the bottom layer. Personally, I try not to do this with 3mm for both layers, in my opinion, it gets too thick and looks too heavy, especially for earrings and pins.
Two-Layer Design II: This will be exactly the same as Design I, except the facial detailed pieces will be inlaid into the cut-out.
For pin, it is the easiest, just cut the shape out (Photos 4 & 7).
For Magnets, on the bottom layer, cut a hole to fit the magnet you use (Photos 5 & 8).
For earrings, either cut a small hole on both layers at the same location for the earring hardware or add a small donut shape to create the hardware hole (Photos 6 & 9).
As far as the Spider and Spider Web, I just added the hole on the Spider, so it will hang from the web (Photo 10)
Save all designs to SVG format and they are ready to be cut.
Cutting is very straightforward, just make sure to change the material measurement between switching.
I always use xTool air assist and xTool air purifier, with the honeycomb in the riser base, I auto-measure my material thickness, apply the setting then cut.
*Make sure the red laser dot hits the material when you auto-measure the material.
First Step: Color or stain all the pieces
Second Step: I used to spray with a few layers of clear varnish, but recently, I fell in love with the UV resin finish. It gives a nice shining and sturdier finish.
Third Step: Put together the pieces with the proper hardware.
My resin pouring experiences:
Since I make a few pieces at a time, also for small projects, I found that UV resin in squeeze bottles is easier to handle, they are rather easy to apply.