Laser Cutter #006 - Free Cutting Files 01

 I've had a cold around the holidays so I was in bed watching YouTube. After a while, I searched for laser cutting and found this video with links to free laser and CNC cutting files. I am there for free and only one of the links didn't work. I don't vouch for any of these downloads or sites so proceed with caution. I use a Linux based computer with all the blocking possible. I spent the most time at 3axis.co and downloaded a couple of files I wanted to try. The actual download filename is not descriptive. I suggest downloading each into a named folder with a screenshot of the project or just changing the filename.

 (Pictures from site)

When I was feeling better, I cut the Box Gluing Jig first as it was just a simple 2 piece design. I cut it out of 3mm plywood scraps. It was a really great file to cut for scraps. Just cut 2 of the L shape and 2 of the rectangle piece per corner.

I love those thin precise cuts! I fit them together but there was a huge gap where the tab slotted in. I looked at the file and thinned down the opening to 2.7mm. This did take a bit of trial and error until I could get the width smaller but not tight. I cut a couple more and glued them all together. Then I used rubber bands as clamps.

These can be used with rubber bands around a small box but, as my husband discovered, they also fit a strap clamp. You will see these in use in a future box project.

I went back to the website to grab the original poster's picture and I noticed his tabs filled the slot. It was likely designed to be cut from 5mm wood but there are no directions or anything on this site aside from the filename. Cutting these with thicker material in going on my to do list.

I cut out the solder holder while the glue on the clamp jigs was setting. This page name suggests it was designed for 3mm plywood/MDF. I used scraps again. I need to go grab and cut down another 4ft by 8 ft sheet of 3mm plywood and I might grab some thicker MDF too. Each piece took less than a minute to cut.

I started with the large side pieces and glued them together using the slots in the  base for a positioning template. I used small sewing clips for clamps.

You can also see where I glued back in what was supposed to be a hole, in the picture below, but I didn't like it. Then I put my two sides in the base and realized these parts were not symmetrical. Oops!

I cut out two more parts and lined up everything on the base first before gluing. That worked well until I got to the larger back panel. I had to trim a bit off the sides of the tab for it to fit but not much. I glued it together and again clamped it with rubber bands. I used a couple of the jigs to tighten the rubber bands but I didn't want to put too much pressure on them as the glue needs 24 hours to cure. My husband insisted on cutting the dowel for me. I only get to make things by myself when he's not around so his involvement will show up in my posts often.

It worked great and held my solder as expected! If you didn't have a dowel you could just cut some scraps up, for rolls with a large opening. It should unwind pretty good. The dowel isn't secured, just sitting on the supports.

I did remove the text on the front. I think the rings cut from the inner supports might have been used for spacers but I left the supports whole. I still have scraps if I feel like I need the spacers.

I still had a large, formerly 1 lb., roll of 0.8mm Kester solder to wrangle. I thought stacking the first holder on top of another solder holder would work to save workspace. The top of the spools protruded beyond the top of the holder and the Kester spool was larger than these. I adjusted the height of the sides by 15mm, trimmed the tabs that didn't fit and turned all the holes into score marks in Inkscape and XCS. This gave the bonus of securing the front dispensing wall behind more wood. You can see how close it is to the front in the above picture. I cut out the pieces and paid careful attention gluing it together.

Again, it looked good and fit without binding the spool! I stacked the two together but didn't glue them.

I'm considering flipping the two on the top so they pull down when dispensing. Alternatively, I can drill holes in the base of the top holder and feed the solder down and out the bottom dispenser. I may not have to glue them together but its OK if I do. That large roll is going to last me a long time and by the time it runs out I'll have developed another spool holder. (I did end up drilling two small holes and passing the solder down to the lower dispenser. I used it and it works well as long as its stationary. I may still glue the two levels together.)

I can improve it to hold interlocking layers of solder, like this, and I like finger joints more than the tabs. I think they rounded the front and back to be more appealing but I might get rid of all the curves. I'd also like to add a graphic pack with labels of different widths and lead or no lead to be cut into the side. So many ideas, so little time!

Happy Making!

Michelle