Laser Cutting - Wooden Tool Kit

Introduction

Tired of messy tool drawers? A compact, laser-cut tool kit is a great way to keep your essentials organized! This tutorial will guide you through every step of creating a laser-cut tool kit from wood — a sleek and functional organizer made by your own hands.

Machine Used

Thunder Bolt 30W

See more details about this machine→

Material Needed

3mm Plywood

Settings

Cutting

Speed:10mm/s
Max Power:50%
Min Power:10%
Number of Passes:1

Before your work begins

Step 1: Place the Wood on the Laser Bed

Select a wood sheet suitable for laser cutting (e.g., 3–6 mm plywood). Place it flat on the laser bed. Use pins or magnets to keep it flat and stable during cutting.

Tips:
There are three common types of pins: T-shaped, L-shaped, and F-shaped. A special use for F-shaped pins is clamping up the plywood to prevent burn marks. Be mindful of the height of the magnets and pins. If they are too tall, the sensor might hit them and become damaged during processing.

3 common types of pins

F-shaped pin usage

Sensor hits a too high pin

Step 2: Open the File and Check the Settings

Open your design in LightBurn, LaserMaker, or your controller. Assign colors/layers for engraving vs cutting. Scale the design to the final physical dimensions. Double-check everything, and decide if you want to add or subtract elements according to your preferences. For the laser cutting layers, pay extra attention to the power setting.

Step 3: Focus Your Laser Machine

Proper focusing ensures neat, polished edges. If your machine has auto focus, use it for quick setup. For manual focusing, lower the laser head with the focus stick until it touches the wood surface at a perfect angle. Always double-check before cutting.

Auto focus

Manual focus

Step 4: Frame the Design and Start Laser Cutting

Then click “Frame” or “Border” to preview your cutting area and make sure the design fits nicely on your board. This confirms your material placement and avoids wasting wood. Adjust as necessary. Once everything is set, start the laser job.

Step 5: Monitor the Laser Cutting Process

Stay close to the machine while it’s running and watch the cutting and engraving progress. Keep an eye out for excessive smoke, small flame-ups, or any movement of the material that could affect the outcome. Make sure your workspace is well-ventilated, and rely on air assist if available to achieve cleaner edges on the wood.

Step 6: Assemble the Kit

When the cutting is done, remove all pieces carefully and start assembling. Each part should fit snugly into its slot — no glue needed! The interlocking design ensures a solid and durable build.

Step 7: Complete the Task

Once assembled, the tool kit is ready to use. You can put all of your tools inside it to make your workshop clean and tidy!

Come and Try!

And that’s it! You’ve built a personalized, perfectly fitted tool kit using just your laser machine and a few sheets of material. Whether it’s for your workshop or as a handmade gift, this project proves that precision engineering can be simple, stylish, and incredibly satisfying.