Discover the art of DIY crafting with our latest blog post on making a personalized Memory Box using a laser engraver and 3D printer. Perfect for mountain biking enthusiasts, this guide offers step-by-step instructions to create a unique gift that blends creativity and technology. Learn how to use acrylic markers for stunning, colorful details. Get started on your own DIY Memory Box today and surprise someone with a one-of-a-kind keepsake!
If you’ve seen a couple of my other projects, you probably have noticed that I’m really excited to work with laser engraved wood. I really enjoy being able to color them in using acrylic markers and this has been one of my favorite crafts the past year.
I’ve been trying to make my brother a wood memory box to slide the laser engraved lid that I made him onto. But I’ve been unhappy with my attempts at making the groove to slide it through.
I decided to give it a try with my 3D printer. I wanted to see what it would look like to do the base box as a 3D print and then use the laser engraved wood for the top.
What do you think?
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Please read the whole post so you don’t miss any important information!
DIY Memory Box with a 3D Printer & Laser Engraver
One of the things I really like about both the laser engraver and the 3D printer is that it leaves me room for more creativity and manual labor.
While I enjoy building and will certainly not stop, it’s really nice to be able to 3D print something that would otherwise take me a few hours to build.
The box would have never been the main part of my gift. The main part of my gift was the artwork on the front.
And that artwork was possible because I’m pretty good at coloring in things with acrylic marker. It has nothing to do with my own personal sketching skills which are lacking.
Acrylic markers are a lot of fun to work with, particularly when you have a good set of them with a sharp point. You can do a lot of blending, and like anything with acrylic paint, you can go over things later if you decide you don’t like them.
The top of this box was something I worked on for probably 2 or 3 months off and on. I would add a little color there or a little shading there.
I also really liked being able to do both sides of the lid, something that wouldn’t have made sense with a lid that was on a hinge.
This can allow my brother, who the gift was for, to change the look of the box without a whole lot of work.
He enjoys mountain biking- make sure to check out the mountain biking shirt I made for him a few years ago which he loved and thought was hilarious.
If you want to do this, but don’t have one or both of these devices, make sure to check out your library or local makers space. Our library allows us to do both 3D prints and laser engraving there.
Project Supplies
- xTool M1 laser engraver: http://shrsl.com/3v9vq
- Honeycomb Riser http://shrsl.com/3yxwg
- Air Assist http://shrsl.com/3yxv6
- Balsawood 3mm http://shrsl.com/40aun
- Bamboo A1 3D printer
- PETG Filament: Black: https://amzn.to/3ACR1Aa
- Acrylic Markers: https://amzn.to/4hYeU6j … I’m due to buy a new set of these I’ve used them so much… they’re FANTASTIC.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Start by cutting and laser engraving your the wood with your xTool M1. You want the lid to be 8 3/8 in by 5 7/8 in.
The wood was 1/8 in thick which is typical thickness for the wood that you’d buy for a laser engraver, but you need to be careful because occasionally I find that the wood thickness can vary.
You need to pick out a design for your top. In this case, I was using a design that I found and liked for him. The laser cutting software can allow you to strip the colors from a design and just print the outline, or you can specifically look for a coloring book design to use. Just make sure it’s got clear-cut lines.
I did some of the designing for the blue side of the cover myself.
Step 2: Next, you can 3D print the box using PETG filament. It tends to be less expensive which is nice for a larger item like this. It’s also pretty durable.
You can find my Memory Box Print File for Bambu Here.
One thing that I really have been focusing on is adding special hanging hooks (the snowmen? what do you call these?) to the back of anything I make with my 3D printer for the walls because I really like this style of hanging things. I like being able to pull things off the wall easily.
Step 3: Honestly, that was most of the project. The rest of the project is just coloring. I love that two devices could easily take the less enjoyable parts of the process off my plate.
Acrylic markers are pretty easy to work with, but you could also try good quality color pencils. Both tend to look really nice on wood. You could also try a combination of the two.
If you haven’t done a lot of shading, it’s very easy. And if you mess up, you can let it dry and then go back over it with a different color marker later.
I often take my finger, a piece of tissue, or a q-tip and smear paint in the direction I want it to go. This allows me to shade a little bit and blend colors together for things like the sunset.
I’m left-handed and prone to smearing paint, but acrylic paint markers let you put on a much thinner layer which dries faster and has less of this issue. However, I did work in small areas and tried to strategize so I didn’t mess up my work.
I find it easier to color the background behind small objects first, then fill in the smaller objects that are in the foreground. For example, I painted behind the bicycle before I painted the bicycle.
Step 4: I painted the top with mod podge to protect it a bit after I finished, let it dry, then flipped the sides to repeat.
Please share and pin this post! If you make this project, share it in our Stuff Mama Makes Facebook Group. We have regular giveaways for gift cards to craft stores. You can also tag me on Instagram @doityourselfdanielle; I love seeing everything you make!
