Awesome Things to Make out of Wood with Laser Cutters

Laser + Wood = Fun

As ancient as woodworking may be, a lot seems to have changed since the arrival of laser cutters on our store’s shelves. This technology made it easy to make the most intricate designs while retaining maximum accuracy in the cuts, which was never possible with human hands. Laser cutting can be great fun and a rewarding experience if you have spare wood and time for your projects.

Before we get into our recommended projects, let's quickly lay down woodworking 101 for laser cutters. First, the wood you will use to be laser-cut can be either medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or plywood material. Both materials are comprised of many layers of wood, which makes them sturdy enough to withstand the laser's intensity.

Each option has a different layering, which will give you its own unique look. We recommend doing a little research before selecting your material and the final look you intend to have. Having said that, below are our top 3 ideas for things to make out of wood that you should try this summer with your laser printer and engraver.

1. Wooden packaging

Packaging have to be boring with conventional materials, as many people now opt for wooden packaging for their small businesses or just for a household accessory like beer packaging. For such a project, we recommend using birch veneer with a thickness ranging from 5 to 5.5 mm, which can be easily cut with a laser cutter.

The front and back can be engraved with your name or your logo to give it a finished product look. You can go one step ahead by painting the engraved wording with contrasting colors of your choice. The Ortur LM3 laser cutter and engraver can be a great choice for this project because it can handle up to 12mm of wood (20mm for pinewood) in one pass, has an accurate focus system, and is powered by a 20-watt real laser-protected with a next-generation cooling system.

2. Living Room Lamps

Why does every lamp have to be just made out of glass or plastic? With a laser cutter, you can craft beautiful designs for living room or bedroom lamps that are not only appealing but also more reliable over time. This is our favorite idea out of all the things to make out of wood in this article, and for this, all you need is a base made of wood, a lamp kit, a light bulb, and a shade.

The basic steps include cutting and preparing the wood (thickness and material explained above), using a laser and engraving machine (Ortur LM3 recommended), drilling holes for the lamp rod and cord, and smoothing the materials for the wood (common varnishing chemicals).

Once you have cut the wood in your desired lamp design, insert the rod, set it in the socket, and thread the cord, ensuring that all electrical connections are secure. Then, assemble the parts for the lamp, top it with a lampshade, and complete the look with proper varnishing. And you will have a unique yet sturdy lamp for your living room.

3. Wooden Bedside Lamps

Imagine a wooden lamp placed next to your bed that you turn off every night before sleeping. That feeling would be priceless if that lamp were made by you.Wooden lamps at the bedside will bring a warmer atmosphere. Laser cutters and engravers like the Ortur LM3 can help you build such lamps with precise wood cutting and satisfaction along the way. All you need is a lamp socket (preferably E27 type) with a wire and a switch, and birch plywood ranging from 3mm to 6mm would be fine.

If you are not sure of the design of your lamp, we recommend browsing through Etsy for digital design files to get started. No matter which design you go with, always remember to use a laser cutter that has supported operation for wood of a given thickness and comes with a good cooling system; otherwise, you will end up with burn marks on your wood.