How to Make Laser-Cut Wood Kits Look Handcrafted!

This week, Jen and Norm put together some fetching laser cut wood boxes that make use of clever techniques to hide their construction. We love the inventiveness of these designs by Etsy seller Vasily39, and try our hand at weathering and distressing the assembled boxes to make them look more handcrafted.
Vasily39 laser cut kit designs: www.etsy.com/s...
Dremel rotary tool: amzn.to/3yTCStr
Dark walnut wood stain: amzn.to/3b1qYFU
Cherry penetrating wood stain: amzn.to/3Q0CiRR
Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.
Shot and edited by Josh Self
Music by Jinglepunks
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Tested is:
Adam Savage / donttrythis
Norman Chan / nchan
Joey Fameli www.joeyfameli.com
Ryan Kiser / ryan.kiser
Josh Self / puppetflesh
Kristen Lomasney / krystynlo
Jen Schachter www.jenschachte...
Kishore Hari / sciencequiche
Sean Charlesworth / cworthdynamics
Kayte Sabicer / kaytesabicer
Bill Doran / chinbeard
Ariel Waldman / arielwaldman
Darrell Maloney / brokennerd
Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!

[@tested]

Vasily39 laser cut kit designs: www.etsy.com/shop/Vasily39 Dremel rotary tool: amzn.to/3yTCStr Dark walnut wood stain: amzn.to/3b1qYFU Cherry penetrating wood stain: amzn.to/3Q0CiRR Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.

[@Vasily39]

Hello, Thanks for using my design!

[@lingfongchung2]

I always enjoy watching episodes with Norm and Jen. I hope to see more!

[@IIIofV]

Well done video. I’ve purchased dozens of Vasily39 designs. Everyone of them cut and engraved perfectly and when I contacted him about a modification on one he did it no change the next day. Super awesome guy and I recommend him 100%.

[@Erics_Youtube_Handle]

Always excited to see a Jen feature!

[@stropheum]

Something I think jen should have done is stained the pieces individually and time the stain with slight variation, so when you assemble the box it FEELS like it's made with almost found lumber that's not necessarily all the same tree

[@jptheberge]

*could ;)

[@itarry4]

I'd have combined the 2 on the left of the lathe together. Using the right side panel of the Multi fix B holder and fixing the holder for the Allen Keys to that. Both saving space, bringing the Allan Keys closer, so easier to reach. Otherwise they're all obviously well thought out and designed to fit your space whilst utilising empty space and presenting the tools really well making it easy to get them, see them and keep them safely stored. Adam seems like the type and I've seen him do it, to use a tool that's not the best one he has for the job but because it was easier to reach or set up. It's things like this that ensure you're far more likely to use the correct tool and both speed up the rate of making the design you're working on and improving the quality of the end result, even if it's just a tiny bit. Love how Adam thinks about his work space and over time keeps improving it, tidying it up, making it a nicer place to both be and work in and keeping his tools safe, easy to see, reach, use and well displayed.

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Vinegar & steel wool wood stain ftw! ✨✨

[@SuperLiktor]

Love you Jen!

[@mcgeek5664]

Really enjoyed watching this. Would love to see a wood chest like these finished with miniature brass accents. Great job by both of you

[@stropheum]

NORM YOUR BOX LOOKED SO GOOD

[@PTCX]

The rotary sanding bit is called a Spiro Band.

[@WileHeCoyote]

Find a zelda chest design, cut build, stain, I'd watch that!

[@n2darkness]

A stiff wire brush will also add in some subtle woodgrain texture. Or you can make your own thicker version by driving in some nails or screws into the end of a scrap piece of wood close together like a brush and drag it along the surface of the wood to scratch deep gouges into the wood.

[@Brandon-zo9ly]

I built that a couple years ago, it was fantastic. I had some issues with the hinges though, they didnt line up. I did mine out of 1/8" walnut, which helped a lot with the look.

[@ACOGG-1]

So the way to make it look hand crafted is to actually hand craft bits on it 🤨

[@Fuzzycat16]

Pretty much yes.

[@piperbarlow1672]

Yes, it takes work to make things pretty

[@raidengl]

You can either shell out good money for someone else's hard work or do it yourself.

[@philray1614]

Be great to see the effect produced by some old school iron acetate stain (wire wool dissolved in vinegar) I bet you'd get some interesting variance as it dries and darkens on those boxes.

[@pauldevey8628]

Good video. Instructional.

[@nathkrupa3463]

I always enjoyed your video thanks for sharing sir and Ma'am.

[@PontusWelin]

I think Norm’s looks like a really old wood floor. After many decades of wear they can often get that polished look.

[@Games_and_Music]

Jen's choice of engraving seemed like a good one, it probably would've been best to redo the engravings with a felt tip pen or a thin brush. When i saw Norm apply the "paint" i thought he had gone mad, but it turned out pretty nice. I think i prefer a smooth dark chest over the driftwood look in general, but the driftwood box stands out for its weathering, and i'd probably put more personal or quirky things in there, which can be more fun.

[@shotou]

Brilliant! I have a couple of lasercut box like things made for holding dice and tokens for different gaming systems. Now the one for my Infinity is painted up in the colours I used for my JSA, but the one for my Dust Warfare, is unpainted. I might check the local hardware for wood stains and try this.

[@Skrap007]

I’ve thought about doing a combo of cnc and laser cutter for something like this before. So cnc router the dimensional details like wood grain, then put it into the laser cutter to get the fine line cuts. I’ve not tried it yet since I’ve only had access to a large format cnc , and not a laser cutter yet. But Tested has all the tools for something like this.

[@jakubmakalowski6428]

Out of curiosity are there any videos that help us get to know the team?

[@JJadx]

could you use a woodburner instead of etching?

[@markomacdonald6420]

Was wondering if anyone could confirm this... I've been told that the lighter burnt colour adjacent to the cut is sugar from the wood that has caramelised. Also it can usually be removed with a cloth and cleaning vinegar

[@novmikvis]

They are using baltic birch plywood. Witch is made of three birch veneers glued together with Urea-formaldehyde resin. Brown staining is a mixure of combustion products consisting of wood itself and resin. It can be removed with water damp cloth or spirits

[@marty4114]

You could also use a soldering iron type hot knife to burn the grain in.. so you get the depth and darkness

[@RPKGameVids]

Looks like a piece of chocolate cake in the thumbnail.

[@rulu1828]

Although the term 'handcrafted' is a bit subjective (as there's a broad quality between carpenters), it does definitely look nice and worth doing. With the right angles and shots it'll make a great (and relatively inexpensive) prop for a scene too.

[@peterhansen8216]

Try scorching the wood with a torch. it should blend out the burnt edges from the laser.

[@RobertLugg]

I wonder if some shallow depth vector cuts could be used to add a faux surface.

[@onjofilms]

What if the cutting area was flooded with nitrogen? Would you still get the burn marks?

[@screwball69]

wut

[@harbl99]

TFW the pinned comment saves you 15 minutes.

[@D0J0Master]

Could you also just cut old wood? Seams a bit redundant lol

[@nedanother9382]

I know theres a place for these items but every one of these projects that gets made make my work look sooo much better. I'm not even that good but this type of build holds nothing for me. the "place" for this piece should have been to laser some of the elements but not the whole thing....theres nothing there

[@jeremiahford5474]

Polishing terds....

[@CHIEF_420]

#ladies

[@mitchellstanger]

First

[@artluxfarber]

Та да А кто потащит по цене?

[@FindecanorNotGmail]

Or, washing the laser-cut plywood could also reduce soot from the edges, and the water will raise the wood grain.