Laser Cut Wooden Bunny Napkin Holder for Easter Decor

Because kerf will depend on your laser, your wattage, your settings, your material, AND even the direction of your cuts and fits, I cannot calculate it for you but I can teach you how to do it yourself.

Load basswood ply into the laser and ensure it is secure and level. 

Open the file and ENSURE the cut squares are 25.4 mm or 1 inch so that sizing is correct. 

NOTE: If you want to change the size of anything, please make sure to change ALL items the same amount. The squares can remain one inch.

Open the file in your laser software. Auto-measure and mark the area. 

Set parameters. Mine were cut (red) 90, 13, 1 and score (purple) 50, 100, 1. To do this quickly, select the red layer and set cut parameters for all red objects; select the purple layer and set score parameters for all of those objects.

Turn off the output for everything in the file EXCEPT the cut 1 square (score and cut) and the base.

NOTE: if you are new, it’s best to turn the base so the length is on the HORIZONTAL plane so you only have to measure one set of kerf calculations (sometimes they are different when measuring X>X vs Y>Y).  

Process (score and cut) the square 1 AND the base. Remove, measure the square with calipers on the X>X (from left to right), and make note of the width. 

Calculate kerf: 25.4 (the one inch marker you cut) - your measurement = X. You will then take X and divide it by 2. That is your kerf offset. So mine was 25.4 - 25.14  = 0.26. I then take 0.26 / 2  = 0.13.  

Select the cut bunny layers (red) only and set a kerf offset to your calculated amount. Remember, a positive integer is entered here, not a negative because we have cut AWAY more than we needed to by using the laser.

Turn off all layers except the score and cut for the bunny napkin holder walls. Process.

Use the cloth to clean up all pieces and, if needed, sand all faces down (front and back of pieces, not the sides or joins as that will affect fit).

Gently push the walls into the base with the faces facing outward. Fill with table napkins.