Laser Cutting Tabletop Game Tokens

[@evanstrong4064]

My friends are interested in Netruner again, this video is awesome!

[@GreylightMay]

Actually, Evan, I haven't played Netrunner in awhile. This makes me want to get it out and play it!

[@meyou245]

Thanks for the ideas. Company just bought a glowforge. So now I need to figure out what kind of home projects to do after hours.

[@GreylightMay]

Meyou, did you see my 40 projects video? If not, it could be helpful...

[@Silent-G]

So glad I found your channel!

[@GreylightMay]

I'm very glad you found me, Silent G!

[@archammer2]

Really slick video! I make my own custom tokens and bits, too, though I tend to use Inkscape for the prep work. I'm definitely going to be watching you for inspiration!

[@GreylightMay]

Thanks, Jim, for your very nice note! I'll try to keep the inspiration coming... I have lots of project ideas that I hope to execute over the next months.

[@medievalwizard352]

Oh My! What a coincidence. I just bought the Nisei Netrunner game this week and was looking for fluorescent neon acrylic tokens and came across your channel. You did a fantastic job. Do you happen to make them for us game geeks to buy?

[@GreylightMay]

That IS quite a coincidence! Unfortunately, medievalwizard, I don't actually make anything for sale. I barely have enough time to make tutorials, so that's what I focus on. Do you have access to a laser cutter? If you do, you can absolutely make these yourself, they are a great starter design project!

[@medievalwizard352]

@@GreylightMay Unfortunately I do not, but, it was a good try to ask. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[@GreylightMay]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@gamesbymanuel]

Very insightful, thank you!

[@GreylightMay]

Manuel, thanks for taking the time to let me know this was helpful!

[@biggrump4967]

Instead of using paint for the engraving... use crayon! The wax wipes right off where not embedded in your lines. We did this with our old school dice back in the day and it really makes stuff pop. Super fast and you just need a cloth to wipe it after you color the surface. It is the same concept but on a token instead of a die. Neon crayons or black on that neon yellow would look amazing. Good video - glad I found this. Really curious about laser cutting - just have to invest in Adobe Illustrator and get over that hurdle first ;)

[@GreylightMay]

Greg, thanks for the tip - I will definitely try the crayon. We always finish with a coat of clear varnish, matte or glossy depending on the application, so durability wouldn't be an issue. Yes, I use Illustrator because I already belong to Adobe's Creative Cloud, but I hear Inkscape is free and will create the vector graphics as well. You might look into that...

[@biggrump4967]

Greylight Thanks for the heads up! Careful when you wipe off the crayon. Because it is wax, you can pull chunks out of the grooves but it isn’t hard to re-apply. Think of it like an ink wash over a miniature you are painting; you cover it and then wipe it off the top layer. You should then have a level layer since the wax will will your entire engraving like putty. You can also remove it w a mechanical pencil due to the same reason it can come out in chunks. We often changed our colors up.

[@NINTENMAV]

Your tokens look awesome!

[@GreylightMay]

Thank you! I've also done some XWing tokens that I love as well. I'm really pleased with the response I've gotten on the tokens; fellow gamers really appreciate making things that make the game even more fun to play!

[@denisemurphy4580]

Have you mentioned somewhere what type of laser engraver you use? I am looking to buy one for my small private school, but my budget is very low! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[@GreylightMay]

Denise, check out my "things to consider when buying a laser" video, it should be helpful!

[@InSearchForEpicness]

Nice tokens and a really chill video to go with it - thumbs up ;)

[@GreylightMay]

Thanks, Hans Peter, I appreciate the support!

[@Delta12cr]

This was a really informative video!

[@GreylightMay]

Thanks, Cesar. It's encouraging to think these are useful to others; it's really my only motivation... I appreciate your taking the time to comment!

[@PeterGrace2013]

Sorry if this is answered elsewhere, but what laser cutter are you using? I've got a smaller 5W unit and I'm in the market for a larger one that can cut through acrylic cleanly like how you have done in this video.

[@GreylightMay]

Hi Peter. I use a laser at my local TechShop. It is an Epilog, and I believe it is in the 40-50W range. Pretty expensive for one of these, which is why many people get access through a membership of some kind.

[@stevensalinas7233]

Where did you buy your acrylic sheets and did they come with the paper on them already?

[@GreylightMay]

Hi Steven! I buy my acrylic from Delvie's Plastics, on the internet, and it comes with paper on both sides. I usually peel off the top so the engraving doesn't cut it into tiny pieces but always leave the back on to protect from the flame that kicks up off the metal grate.

[@monkeycigs4762]

well thanks... now I have to buy a big ass laser. I knew it would eventually come to this one way or the other.

[@GreylightMay]

Well, monkeycigs, you could check out your local makerspace or hackerspace and see what options they have available - that's how I get access to one. Depending on where you live, there might be some good options available. My dream is to buy my own, but the price will have to come down a bit for me to pull that off!

[@JTMC93]

Full Spectrum Laser has the muse Muse or next year thr Glowforge should be more readily available. They are steadily getting cheaper and cheaper. Same with SLA 3D Printers which are good for 3D tokens or prototype miniature masters.

[@Actio83]

What do you mean by rear engraving?

[@GreylightMay]

It means you flip your design over so when you engrave it and use it with the engraving side down, the design seen through the acrylic is correct. You can do this with clear, transparent and mirrored acrylic. Engraving the back side of neon transparent acrylic puts the engraving closer to the dark background behind it, making it pop more. Engraving the back of clear acrylic for edgelit acrylic reduces ghosting when it is lit. I think you are always supposed to engrave and cut mirrored acrylic from the back. The only part of the process that is different is remembering to flip the design, especially if there is something obviously directional, like text.

[@Actio83]

@@GreylightMay ah ofc :) i was just slow, dident think about having to mirror it. Was thinking just begrave, cut and flip it, as its transparent

[@GreylightMay]

I can say from experience, I don't always remember!

[@ironfrontalexxx]

This is really helpful. What laser cutter do you use?

[@GreylightMay]

I've used several different CO2 laser cutters over the last 7 years, but now I own an 80 watt OmTech, and I love it!

[@JTMC93]

Have you tried the crayon wax method of applying color?

[@GreylightMay]

This has been suggested to me but I haven't tried it yet. I've only done acrylic paint applied over the paper masking, which I engrave through. This has given me great durability, especially if I apply a coat of varnish after.

[@JTMC93]

Greylight May i tend to use the crayon method then some form of sealing varnish. I find it really lets one get good recognition fast. Especially if you aren't using translucent acrylics or turn dials.

[@NukeTCows]

Can I buy a set of these?

[@GreylightMay]

Hi! I have made sets of these for friends and family, so I've looked at how many of each should go into a set, and at the going rates for premium tokens online. If there were interest, I could put some sets up on Etsy for purchase. Would you be seriously interested?

[@GreylightMay]

BTW, you can see a preview of the token box I made for them on this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5ubn5KpicyZe7s I will be showing the actual construction on my next 'making' video. It really goes well with the tokens!

[@NukeTCows]

Greylight May I showed this video to a group at my game store. There are 2 guys that are at a yes, 3 maybes, and 4 people that want to see and feel the tokens live before making a choice. So I can understand the frustration at the idea of a potential order.

[@GreylightMay]

First of all, NukeTCows, thank you so much for sharing my video with them! I'm not surprised with their response, I understand the desire to see them in person. I'm thinking I may just put a listing up and make them on demand, see what happens. I'll try to get a listing up in the next week or so; I have to finalize what would be in each set and pick a competitive price that covers my costs. Thanks again for your interest!!

[@GreylightMay]

BTW, if you are subscribed to the channel I will make sure and mention when they are posted to Etsy...

[@chrishawkins4917]

Lady? You are boss.

[@GreylightMay]

Thanks, Christopher! I appreciate the support!

[@GreylightMay]

Thank you, Christopher!!