Laser Cut Gift Boxes - Three Difficulty Levels

[@ob1coyote]

No one screws craftspeople more than other craftspeople undervaluing their time and talents.

[@rjtumble]

With your joke about never getting involved in a land war, I was really expecting you to say never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line. Great boxes! love how the epoxy box came out.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Ah, but if you were thinking it, then it was probably best I left it out. Did you notice the four other Princess Bride quotes?

[@shawnwalsh3502]

@@AlpineTrailsStudioWait…FOUR other quotes? For a total of five? Ok fine, this is for you: “You’re trying to trick me into [watching your video again]. It won’t work.” Ok, it’ll probably work 😂

[@danacardon9218]

I watched every minute of this. Super impressive and informative! Thank you!

[@earthflute2248]

Love this. Far out.. the effort was exponential. Well worth it, but you are right.. no one will pay the true cost for it. Mass produced mindset these days. Just be satisfied in yourself.

[@Attacus-Hardware]

I appreciate the time and patience you put into this

[@thekamiakai]

Something to add a bit more flair to the first two boxes is to paint/stain the backing boards or make them with either acrylic sheets to give pops of color that peeks through the pattern cuts.

[@technicalmeltdown]

not showing mistakes isnt perfect everbody does make mistakes. nice video an great work!

[@theduftmeister]

great video, thank you Alpine Trails helpful hint🙂 - keep your lid on ca glue when using activator spay. those particles linger in the air and actually start to impact the glue in the end of the nozzle which is one of the reasons we find the glue bottles starts to crystalise and seize up before you use it all.

[@tracywilliams61]

I’m so glad I found your channel. The third is my favorite and will be giving it a go. I purchased the accelerator It wasn’t sure how to use it so thank you for saving a potentially ruined project. The template for the feet is awesome. Thanks again for sharing

[@invinciblemuffi]

Learnt how to split that solid wood into 2 halves. I always wanted to do that. Learned about resin combination with wood. Excellent video with all the hard work

[@chrisshaftoe32]

A very informative video. Thank you.

[@stevegrimes5105]

What an interesting progression of materials and techniques! Thanks!

[@carolineecou]

Nice. Thank you for showing the progression of skill.

[@mondujar279]

Thanks for sharing your mistakes, it does help because I am embarrassed to admit that I make so many errors and basic ones too. I am trying to reduce it by working slowly

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

I think the mistakes may be the most helpful part of these videos, and believe me every time I make them there is a temptation not to add them.

[@mondujar279]

@@AlpineTrailsStudio No the best bits are your design and processes. I am inspired to try to make my own similar designs.

[@carollittle1381]

Loved your comment about the mask! Really good video. I have been thinking about epoxy resin. Maybe next year.

[@MattSutton-v9m]

At. first, I thought this was going to be terrible video, but I am glad I watched the whole thing. I can't wait to see more videos with you.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

I'm glad you liked it. What was it that made you think this might be a terrible video?

[@MattSutton-v9m]

I had flashbacks to bad college professors that to me seemed like they were tiring too hard. it's nothing on you. just bad memories. lol

[@robscott7283]

Brilliant! Thanks.

[@wolfsfarm7667]

well done. Greetings from Germany.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Willkommen!

[@harryhodge3049]

Probably hard to recover cost at a craft fair but at an art show you could easily make a profit. Good job on the video.

[@MihaiMihai-zw4rz]

HI! Great job! If you wish you can give your wife an extremely nice surprise by creating a copy of the old box, and this time will be brand new whithout any repairs. All the best!

[@deonbaptiste1991]

Awesome work !

[@jamesnicolson2431]

loved it good job

[@nexxusinteractivemediacorp5662]

Brilliant.

[@chrisr1241]

Thank you this video is very nice!

[@TheUnvarnishedTruth-]

*Thank you very much for such an informative video! Very Nice!*

[@scottrelstyle3647]

Nice work, great instruction's and tips, I'm subscribing to see what you bring to the Tube next :)

[@hassanzia9634]

U r an inspiration ❤

[@MattSutton-v9m]

great job

[@DocMcCrary]

Great video

[@LarryDMitchell]

Nice callback TWICE to Vizzini in Princess Bride. You even sound like him! To prevent sticking to a gluing board use High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) as the gluing base. I have an old cutting board made with HDPE that I use just for that purpose. I like the progression of your boxes and especially the last two where there are no tabs showing as well as the burnt edges of the cuts. New subscriber for you too. Going to check out some of your other vids in a bit.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Fortunately death was never on the line. Good suggestion on the plastic base.

[@infocus-media]

Now all we need is somebody to invent a way to get rid of the black cut marks and do 45% cuts where the corners meet. My wife was at a market the other day and there were plenty of very nice designs she said, but all had the same black cut marks and the same way of corner joining. She said the items for sale was more suitable for the "pedestrian buyer on a budget" rather than an exclusive or very well made item suited for her home, whatever all that means, lol!

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

I completely agree. As I mention in the video, the first box looks like all the crafts you see from laser cutter crafters selling at a market. The second box is an improvement where the box joints are no longer seen and the carbon marks are visible only on the lid and base. The third box I think solves all of the problems you mention and all lasering marks are hidden. I wonder what your wife would think if she saw my final box at a market. I'm actually quite curious what that kind of box would sell for.

[@mcmillanfarms]

I subscribed because I saw you just started the channel recently and the quality was good. I am mostly interested in the laser content but may watch other videos I find interesting.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Thank you for the subscription. The laser cut gift boxes has been my most popular video by far, so I'm planning some more projects with the laser cutter. If I might ask, what kind of builds with the laser would you be interested in seeing?

[@bespokewoodartistry1517]

Enjoyed your videos and learned a few skills from you. The laser cut box and use of epoxy was real good info and will try out a few myself down the track. I liked your story on your first video and enjoyed every minute. Stick with the video creations and uploads your audience will grow take it from me it is about consistency and patience. Your channel is very nice and professional. Well done! See you on your next vid. Cheers!

[@diceman13]

Ha! caught the Princess bride reference at about 9:15 nice boxes and progression!

[@diceman13]

and again at 20:20!

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

There are five of them total :)

[@jaredjackson9189]

I spotted: - Never get involved in a land war in Asia - Everybody will be wearing them in the future - No, there is too much, let me sum up - Get used to disappointment - Then maybe 'inconceivable'

[@clintonsmith9931]

And I thought I was the only one making mistakes!

[@privatebubba8876]

Try covering your the backing board with parchment paper. It won't stick to epoxy. You can use a chef's torch to eliminate bubbles in your pour.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

I think if you look closely you will see a chef's torch on the table beside the epoxy work in some of the shots. It definitely came in handy.

[@mrgscustomtees3960]

great video, but i think the first two could also have been spruced up with colored epoxy and with less effort. you have given me an idea to explore, thanks

[@chrisr1241]

Amazing equipment btw…. You have everything :😂 so just buy a xtool p2 and relax on using the camera 🎉

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

I have considered that upgrade... but I mean you never have everything. I've got a list. I think my next purchase will be a rolling belt sander, which would let me sand off the epoxy tops a little more evenly.

[@MrRoby2797]

Ciao ho visto il tuo filmato e trovo che hai realizzato tre belle scatole. Mi piace particolarmente la terza " Legendary ",vorrei realizzarla . Dove posso trovare il Pattern rose? Grazie

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Sure. I got the patterns for these boxes here: www.etsy.com/listing/1371965606/decorative-wooden-box-bundle-laser-cut

[@scottmurphys]

Thanks for the video and showing different box builds. However, in the future, I would suggest not having music (or making very low) in parts where you are explaining the build.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Thanks. making videos is all new to me. I like having a little background music, but I can experiment more with the volume.

[@MarshallEvans]

If you already the epoxy with alcohol before you pour and in-between layers you won't have air bubbles.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'already' but I'll look into alcohol and prepping epoxy.

[@wood4me]

Why not try this: Cut (erase) all joining edges, only half the thickness on what will be the inside of the box. Then when glued together, you finish up with straight edges. The roses appear to be simple to machine yet they finish up beautifully.

[@CaliVapor]

Disposable syringes for the epoxy maybe? Try 50ml or 100ml

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

My brother suggested the same thing. I'll likely give that a try next time.

[@KeeKrafts]

i love all the machines you have and demonstrate for us, but you have a rather soft voice, and that music is just too much. really makes it difficult to concentrate on what you're saying... your boxes are lovely, especially that final solid wood one! thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Thanks for the feedback. This is a comment I have heard about this video a few times, and I have since toned down the background music and toned up my mic input, but only on later videos. I'm better at making stuff with wood than making videos, but I have fun sharing.

[@wood4me]

Oh, just a bit more: The last box (the painted one) would be very special if the top piece was complete engraving with no wood edge.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

There's no paint on any of these boxes. Technically it's not engraved either. The laser cuts completely through the material. I could take that cut to the edge, or more likely I would take it very close to the edge and then cut the edge off, but then I would have to glue a bottom onto it. It would be an interesting challenge to try and make it a waterfall design, but I do think it stands up well as it is.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Side quest: How many Princess Bride quotes did I sneak into the video?

[@haleyjackson3614]

I counted four :D

[@MrLardobutt]

lol

[@ct1freak]

I dunno cause the audio is horrible. Can't hear over your music. Excellent video otherwise

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

I had one other similar comment. I suppose I am learning still how to set the audio levels appropriately. It's good to get feedback. Glad you liked the content.

[@ct1freak]

@@AlpineTrailsStudio just ease back on the music volume

[@diegoarmijo1426]

What price would you put on each one of the boxes?

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

That's a great question. You may have noticed I link to an Etsy store, but I don't sell the stuff I build there. I just sell a few of the tool accessories I make for my own shop, hoping it will be of benefit to other woodworkers. Glowforge sells the material for the first box for $22 a sheet right now, and the box took about one full sheet. To make even a small amount of money on it, you'd have to sell it for at least $30 plus shipping, and that's not making a lot given the amount of time it needs on the laser. You could cut the cost in half at least by prepping your own material, but of course that takes time. The second box took almost two full sheets. Using the material I prepped myself, that's roughly $15-$18. Made in bulk, you could probably finish one in an hour. The material for the third is about 3 board feet of 4/4 Maple. That again is about $15-$18. The epoxy and dies add another $10 at least. But here the issue is time. There are a lot of hours in that box and nearly a week in drying times. The time should be worth around $400, I would think. I have no idea if there is a market out there at that price for wooden gift boxes with a stained glass look.

[@DavZell]

Do you have a link for the giant roll of "masking tape"?

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Sure: www.amazon.com/Transfer-Layflat-Adhesive-American-Made-Application/dp/B085635HFN

[@DavZell]

@@AlpineTrailsStudio Thanks!

[@luongvu5131]

Can you tell me what is glued to the wood in 8:45 ?

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Sure. That is a tape that protects the material from burn marks. I have a link to it in the video description, but I'll also share that link here: amzn.to/3YpV5NI

[@luongvu5131]

@@AlpineTrailsStudio I see you have a layer of paint or glue on it, what is it?

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

@@luongvu5131 For the second box I put a clear coat layer on it before taping it, yes. Here I used a water based polyurethane. In this case I used a Satin finish, though you could give it more shine with extra gloss. I also linked that product: amzn.to/4fpJWCz

[@DavZell]

Theres a good chance it was made with a scroll saw. If it took them 3 hours, that would be $6.67-$8.33 an hour. Minimum wage was $5.15 in 2000. Reduce the wages for cost of wood and blades. Not horrible for what was likely a hobby.

[@AlpineTrailsStudio]

Yes, I think so too. I think I said 'by hand' which in retrospect could mean a handsaw. So good catch. Don't forget there is a materials cost too, as well as a cost in time and money to sell out of a booth at a crafts fair. I still think it was something of a labor of love.

[@BlueGeckoLaser]

Seriously, people are still buying Glowforge’s? Buy a big boy laser.