Footprints Poem Raised Plaque with Crosses and Footprints Adornments
Instruction
The inspirational "Footprints" poem by unknown author is lovingly engraved on clear acrylic The poem is raised above an laser engraved peaceful beach scene which depicts a single line of footprints in the sand. Crosses and footprints adorn the corners.
Using the enclosed plans, you can now create your own "Footprints" poem plaque just as shown in the photos. Feel the power of the poem and its meaningful message as the words float above the sandy beach.
Size: 8.5"x11"
XCS and SVG files included
I have recently been revisiting some of my old projects and this was one. I designed this on a different machine made for a single piece of wood. However, I intended it to be done just as the plan here is, with a piece of acrylic engraved with the poem floating above a beach scene. The machine I had at the time would not engrave or cut acrylic so I had to put it on hold until I got the P2. While browsing through my older plans, I came across this and remembered what I wanted to do. I fine tuned it and made it and it turned out great.
Some notes before starting.
You will need sandpaper for a couple of the steps so be sure to have some on hand. I recommend 220 grit.
You will also need to note that the photos show a slightly different corner cutout that the plans and that is only to allow the standoffs to sit in the photo and acrylic pieces easier. The result is just the same.
Both SVG and XCS files are included. If using the SVG, you will have to greyscale the photo and tune it to meet your files needs.
I used 1/8"(3mm) birch from xTool and 1/8"(3mm) acrylic from Smokey Hill designs. It is important to note that the holes cut out in the photo and the acrylic was made with the xTool 1/8" wood thickness in mind. It actually is slightly thinner than 1/8". If using a different wood at 1/8" thick, you may need to sand the tabs of the standoffs down slightly to get them to fit. More on this in the step 3.
The beach scene is a free photo found online and I ensured it was free to use publically before using and posting here. If using the XCS file, the settings provided should engrave perfectly with only a lite sanding needed to remove overburn.
There are 6 colors in these plans, however you will only be using 5 of them. The Purple color is intended as reference and should be ignored/deleted so as not to engrave/score/cut this particular part.
Black - Wood engrave Vector
Light Blue - Wood engrave Bitmap
Red - Wood Cut
Orange - Acrylic Cut
Blue - Acrylic Engrave
Yellow - Wood Score
Following the settings above, engrave and cut your acrylic first. If your acrylic sheet is coated in paper, you should have no problem cutting this. However, if it is engraved in plastic, remove the plastic prior to cutting so as to prevent health risks.
The poem is reversed and set to engrave on clear acrylic. Before engraving, remove the paper coating and coat your acrylic surface with dish liquid. This will help get rid of your acrylic hazing/dust. Leave the other sides protective coating (if paper) or raise your acrylic above your honeycomb (which I used) to prevent burn transfer to the opposite side of the acrylic. It is also recommended to adjust your air assist to the lowest possible to get and ideal depth engrave on acrylic. Once the engrave is complete and cut out, rinse off the dish liquid and dry off. Finally remove the paper backing of the opposite side and read your poem from that side.
Once your acrylic is engraved and cut, bring your air assist back to 100% and place in your birch. Using the above score, engrave and cut settings, get the remainder of your pieces cut out.
Once you have all your pieces, lay them out. You should have:
1 Photo piece with beach scene on wood
4 corner pieces with “L” shaped cutouts on wood
2 corner pieces with crosses on wood
2 corner pieces with footprints on wood
4 Standee halves with protruding tabs on top, bottom and one side
4 Standee halves with protruding tabs on top and bottom plus a tab cutout on one side
1 Acrylic piece with the “Footprints” poem engraved.
Lay out each of your four standees flat as shown in the first picture. Keep in mind that the top tab is longer than the bottom tab. Put a strip of glue down the centerand then form it into an “L” shape. Hold together for a few seconds until the adhesive is set. If using 2p10 Thick Adhesive, this will not take long.
NOTE: The corners of the standees can hinder the ability to lock these into the acrylic and the photo back. Circles were placed in the corners to make putting these standees in easier. However, if you find that you are still having difficulty getting these into the holes, sand the Standees down lightly on the outside of the “L”. Even go so far as to round the corners of the standees. The acrylic at the corner is weaker due to how close the cutouts are to the edges so be gentle when putting the tabs through or you risk breaking the acrylic. (Ask me how I know. :P)
Put the longer tab through the acrylic and then put a tiny amount of glue along the tab after it protrudes through the acrylic. Take a corner piece with the “L” cutout and lock it onto the tab that comes out of the front of the poem as shown in picture 3.
VERY IMPORTANT: The corners here are set up a certain way. Your short sides of the corner pieces on all four corners will face to the sides. When done correctly, it will look like the image in photo 3.
Place your photo engraved back flat on a table. Gently press the short tabs into the corner holes. Once they are in place, turn the entire thing over so that you have the poem face down. (Be sure to lay the poem face down on a cloth or paper to prevent the acrylic from being scratched.)
Run a heavy bead of adhesive over the “L” shaped holes on the back. Let this glue set and dry before proceeding.
Before placing the 4 corner adornments, be sure to sand the corner pieces already attached so that they are all level and the tab from below is not protruding enough to prevent glueing on the adornments.
There are 4 corner pieces that have crosses and footprints on them. Take the two with the crosses and attach them with adhesive. The short side should be facing the top of the poem so that it overlaps yet covers the “L” shape on the lower corner piece. (See photo) Make sure to line it up with the corners.
Do the same with the footprints, but this time, with the short side facing down.
This piece is intended to sit on a shelf.
While you could add a hanger to the back and mount this piece on a wall, I fully intended this piece to be a shelf object.
I hope you enjoy this piece and let me know what you think in the comments.