Things to do/make with a laser cutter?

[Mark Hammer]

My son has joined a hackspace, and has access to a laser cutter. So, I'm wondering what sorts of things I might be able to do with a laser cutter. Pickguards and pickup flatwork come to mind immediately, but I'm certain there are other things I've not thought of. A co-worker noted to me that laser etching powder-coated aluminum chassis can look nice.

Is there any sort of archive/site where one can find suitable files to help in cutting things like flatwork and pickguards?

[Enzo]

Oh...

I was thinking you could cut lasers with it...


Down here south of the border, we are busy trying to outlaw making plastic guns on 3-D printers.

[The Dude]

......which begs the question............If you have one 3-D printer, what's to stop you from using that printer to make more 3-D printers?

[Leo_Gnardo]

......which begs the question............If you have one 3-D printer, what's to stop you from using that printer to make more 3-D printers?

If you install a pwerful enough computer in the 3-D printer, it can decide for itself when to make more 3-D printers. And variations, and other things too. Who needs us? Isn't there a science fiction story about a self replicating robot? We're pretty close to that right now.

[Mick Bailey]

I've got a Gravograph engraver for some custom amp panels and stomp boxes. Takes ages to set up for each job and limited to the typesets I have. A laser cutter set to work with 5-ply Traffolite - type material would be a dream for custom engraving.

Lots of 60s stuff in England was engraved on Traffolite, especially Hiwatt & Burns.

Apart from flatwork you've got knobs that can be engraved and filled. Black chickenhead knobs engraved and filled white would look good.

I'm thinking of a nice project here - a Zemaitis telecaster with engraved humbuckers.

Never heard of a Hackspace before. Really interesting. As soon as someone over here in England gets a paper cut they'll all be closed down. When I was at school we had almost limitless workshop and materials resources but all the lathes, millers and everything else were scrapped. Glad to see it coming back in another form. To quote my Father; "What use is a man if he can't do anything with his hands".

[Mick Bailey]

I see the reissue Greco Zemaitis guitars are laser-etched. Not everyone's cup-of-tea, but I like the originals Ron Wood uses.