Shelf Organizing Bins @ TechShop Chandler

This is a tutorial for a shelf organizing bin. These instructions are assuming that you are using the Universal Lasers @ TechShop Chandler, and that you have taken the SBU and are familiar with how to operate the machine.For more information on the TechShop or to schedule a class, visit techshop.ws.

Step 1: Gather Materials

For this project, you will need the Illustrator file provided, a sheet of 1/8" thick MDF and tacky glue.. The 1/8" MDF is available at Home Depot as a 2' X 4' sheet. It will need to be cut down into 1' X 2' sections so that the material will fit the laser bed.

Step 2: Print File

Open up the Illustrator file. Go ahead and print from Illustrator to the laser program. From the print screen in Illustrator, make sure to hit "Setup" and "Preferences" to access the laser settings. Set your material height (.125"), and choose General Medium Woods for the material. Make sure to hit apply, and once you are back in the print dialog, hit "Print"

Step 3: Setup Materials & Print to Laser

Place the first piece of MDF on the laser bed.Once in the Laser Control Panel, use the "Focus View" option to move the laser head to the spot on the material that you want to start cutting at. Then use the "Relocate" option to move the image to where the pointer is positioned. To do this, select the grab point on the image that you want to line up with the start point, and then hit "To Pointer" in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.

At this point, you are ready to start the file printing. Go ahead and press the big, green Play button.

When the first page is finished printing, go to the next page and place a new piece of MDF on the laser bed. Relocate the objects again following the steps above and hit the Play button again to start the file.

Step 4: Glue the Pieces

In this step, you will start by gluing one side piece and one end piece to the bottom section. Run a bead of tacky glue along the side & end of the bottom piece, and then run a bead of tacky glue along the ends of the side and end pieces. Fit all these together and allow to dry.

Repeat this process until both of the side & end pieces have been attached to the bottom piece. Let them sit while the glue dries.

Step 5: Store Things!