Laser Cut a Puzzle

[@GokouZWAR]

Cut the outside last. Probably the best advise I can give here… that way the pieces stay together and flex won’t be an issue.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Great tip

[@LarryDMitchell]

I love this idea. I can see me making them for my grandkids! Picture of them with grandpa and grandma in a puzzle would be something special. One thing you didn't mention. Don't forget to include another print of the image so it can be referenced during assembly. I'm thinking since my laser is a 10 watt I may have to cut it out on a thinner material. Thanks for the idea.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

This project is actually better on a diode laser because the beam is smaller, though it will take longer to cut out. The photo I used was just a shot I took years ago. any photo of your choice will work.

[@PinItRight1]

Thanks Steve, great video

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@axeldejesus2060]

Hello Steve, Thanks for the video. I downloaded the extension for Inkscape but am having a problem copying it into the program. When I open the user extensions tab, there is nothing in there. Can you tell me how to accomplish this please? Thanks

[@SteveMakesEverything]

You should just have to drop it into the Inkscape plugin folder. It's possible this hasn't been updated for Inscape V1.3

[@Youssef-zj4yv]

very nice job how to get a cut without burning the photo thanks

[@SteveMakesEverything]

It's all about getting the power settings correct. If your laser is lower power and has to fight a bit to get through the material, you have a couple of options: 1. Use thinner material (e.g. high density paper board like the material that regular puzzles are made of) or 2. Mask off the surface before cutting.

[@micapapa8647]

Do you think it would be good to put a piece of clear acrylic on top during the cutting, to sort of weigh it down and keep the pieces from moving as they get cut? Since the laser will just go through the acrylic, right?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Interesting question. Are your pieces moving? I don’t think acrylic on top would be good because there’s nowhere for the smoke to go except to stick to your pieces. You’d be better to just turn off the air assist, though that would leave smoke on the pieces too

[@SherlyAbankirenk]

hey, what kind of sticker u used?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Not a sticker. I just used basic white glue.

[@tomcatmeow69]

interesting process. I would love to find a software that would allow me to customize the puzzle pieces to align with various aspects of the picture content. This would make the puzzle more of a custom item. Do you know of any software that would do that?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Cool idea! But I haven’t seen anything like this

[@innovationteam8362]

What kind of paper did you print your image on? I can't decide between photo paper or a light cardstock.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

I used matte card stock, but either of your choices should work

[@warnermcgee8856]

Nice job! Wondering what your new laser is. Looks massive compared to the Muse. I used your code to get my Muse recently. Cheers.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Glad you like this project. My new laser is "Designed by Steve" 😀 and I have been meaning to start doing a few DIY walk-through videos about it. It's a 90W with a 600x900mm (2x3') workspace. It hasn't replaced the Muse but can definitely handle bigger/thicker projects.

[@karinblair1367]

Great video, when you were done in Inkscape what format did you save it in?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

I use png files for pretty much every image

[@karinblair1367]

@@SteveMakesEverything Thank for your reply. I'm new and trying to watch a lot of videos.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

@@karinblair1367 Feel free to leave comments and ask questions. I read them all.

[@karinblair1367]

@@SteveMakesEverything Thank you

[@shewaemuye9905]

In our country there is such type of Bussness so please help me to do that if u have detail tutorials.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

You mean a tutorial to make puzzles? That’s what this video is.

[@mariarubio6249]

Hi Steve, what satin finish material did you use?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Pretty much any clear coat spray will work. I use Krylon for most things

[@Narigari]

I can't avoid burning the edges of the image and I have to clean it with a wet cloth. Yours looks perfect, how did you do it?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Well I’m using my 90W laser, which definitely helps cut through material cleaner. Try reducing your power a bit until it just cuts. Or try increasing the speed to the point where the cut just gets through. You can also use transfer tape to mask off the surface before you cut

[@burrelljordan3207]

Great information. Thanks alot. Question, what type of pins were you using on your corners to keep the project from moving around?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

I use either magnets or pins that I just cut out of old scraps of baltic birch plywood or acrylic

[@burrelljordan3207]

@@SteveMakesEverything fantastic thanks for the tips.

[@perfectlyoriginaldesigns]

Do you worthy about the glue being toxic in the laser?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

You need to pay attention to the glue you use, but as long as it isn't a compound of chlorine you should be fine.

[@tesawuf5852]

Great work. Can you suggest me some laser machine for cutting 1000 pieces puzzle?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Any sufficiently large laser workspace would be able to cut 1000 pieces however accumulated kerf will be a problem. Diode lasers tend to have smaller beam diameters so you might want to find one with a large area or build one yourself specifically for the purpose.

[@tesawuf5852]

@@SteveMakesEverything thank you

[@chrisdecarlo4740]

Now if I could figure out how to get my Muse to actually cut things out...

[@SteveMakesEverything]

What's the problem?

[@georgeblank2648]

Can just download a puzzle file from ETSY

[@SteveMakesEverything]

I could put one there if you really wanted to pay for something but why would when you can create one for free?