Here's what laser cutting looks like. I'm cutting out some exterior wallet pieces from 100% nylon leather alternative. Laser cutting is weird: it doesn't always burn the edges. In the case of this material it makes a completely clean cut with no residue.
I wonder why it doesn't always burn the edges. Seems everything that I have coming from Ponoko has burnt edges except of course the metals and acrylic. I notice you use felt on the handbags. Did you laser cut those as well? Did they burn? Do you assemble everything you create and sell?
Hi Thomas, I think the edges don't burn because when nylon oxidizes it doesn't result in something black, rather it vaporizes. When you oxidize wood or paper it results in black soot that sticks around.
I currently die-cut the felt. I have tried laser cutting it and the edge does burn; might try to perfect that process in the future.
So far I have hired outside contractors to produce everything I sell. But I'm probably going to do more of the making in the future, just to avoid hassle and get back to basics!
Where do you have the felt die-cut? Do they also manufacture your felt?
I don't mean to appear nosey. I would like to be able to design a line of bracelets using felt and metal or leather and metal or porcelain and metal. Do you know a good company that can laser cut different metals? Brass, aluminum, copper, steel? In thin gauges. I'd like to be able to create intricate designs in metal and pair it with non traditional jewelry making materials.
Hi Thomas, sorry but I don't discuss my specific sourcing on the blog. Having said that, I'm doing my own laser cutting at techshop in SF which has been a lot of fun. I'm very lucky to have that resource. And you can find laser cutters and a die cutters in your area easily using google.
Thanks for liking the wallet! It's not for sale yet, but if you keep following the blog I'm going to announce a special for friends/followers before it goes online and out to stores. Might be within a month...
I wonder why it doesn't always burn the edges. Seems everything that I have coming from Ponoko has burnt edges except of course the metals and acrylic. I notice you use felt on the handbags. Did you laser cut those as well? Did they burn? Do you assemble everything you create and sell?
ReplyDeleteThomas
Hi Thomas, I think the edges don't burn because when nylon oxidizes it doesn't result in something black, rather it vaporizes. When you oxidize wood or paper it results in black soot that sticks around.
ReplyDeleteI currently die-cut the felt. I have tried laser cutting it and the edge does burn; might try to perfect that process in the future.
So far I have hired outside contractors to produce everything I sell. But I'm probably going to do more of the making in the future, just to avoid hassle and get back to basics!
Where do you have the felt die-cut? Do they also manufacture your felt?
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to appear nosey. I would like to be able to design a line of bracelets using felt and metal or leather and metal or porcelain and metal. Do you know a good company that can laser cut different metals? Brass, aluminum, copper, steel? In thin gauges. I'd like to be able to create intricate designs in metal and pair it with non traditional jewelry making materials.
I do love the wallet. Where do I purchase it?
Thanks,
Thomas
Hi Thomas, sorry but I don't discuss my specific sourcing on the blog. Having said that, I'm doing my own laser cutting at techshop in SF which has been a lot of fun. I'm very lucky to have that resource. And you can find laser cutters and a die cutters in your area easily using google.
ReplyDeleteThanks for liking the wallet! It's not for sale yet, but if you keep following the blog I'm going to announce a special for friends/followers before it goes online and out to stores. Might be within a month...
Hello Josh, what brand is your laser cutter?
ReplyDeleteI use a laser cutter at a group shop that I'm a member of. I believe it's an Epilog 60 watt.
ReplyDelete