Laser Cut Wooden Viking Shield Coasters Set with Metal Accents
Instruction
Information
Got drinks that keep leaving marks on your tables? You need coasters, and what better way to defend your precious wooden furniture than with these hardy shield coasters! Use these coasters to deflect scratches, water stains, and other assaults from wicked drinking vessels.
WARNING: Not for use in actual combat.
The Celtic knot image is sourced from https://publicdomainvectors.org/en/free-clipart/Green-pattern-decoration-vector-image/31894.html, where can find many more free designs that would look great on these coasters.
Instruction
Step1: Download and cut
Download the template and cut out some shield pieces. The template includes three designs: a blank shield, a shield with a shield boss (that round metal thing in the center), and a shield with a boss and a Celtic knot design. You'll want to cut out a shield ring with each shield design. The template is designed for 3mm Basswood, but it should work with other materials and thicknesses.
Step2: Apply wood stain (optional)
Adding a layer of wood stain makes these shields really pop. With your favorite wood stain, use a sponge, brush, or your shirt tail to apply the stain to the coaster pieces. Wait a few minutes, then wipe it off. To quote Mr. Miyagi: “wipe on, wipe off” or something like that.
Pro Tip: Do not do this on your wife's antique coffee table, even if you put down a paper towel. You'll experience “technical difficulties”.
Step3: Paint the ring and shield boss (optional)
If you really want a cool looking coaster, paint the shield boss and the shield ring with some silvery acrylic paint you can get at any craft store. It takes a steady hand to paint the shield boss without getting any on the rest of the shield.
Pro tip: Do not do this while sitting on your leather couch when the wife is around. This also leads to “technical difficulties”.
Step4: Glue the ring to the shield
Apply wood glue or super glue to the back of the shield ring, place it onto the shield part, and clamp down. Try not to string the glue all over the place, or glue your fingers to the coaster (if using super glue).
Pro tip: Do not use your daughter's tiny hair clips as clamps. Apparently these aren't “appropriate” for use in any “hair-brained projects”, as my wife claims.
Step5: Go Plus Ultra (optional)
Here's how I made the red and white shield:
- Paint a corner of the board white.
- Apply painter's tape in a ‘plus’ pattern over the white area.
- Cut away part of the tape so you have two squares where the corners meet.
- Paint the exposed area with red.
- Remove the tape. Marvel at the clean paint lines.
- In your machine, place the laser head so that the crosshair is right in the center of this pattern.
- The template includes a shield pattern with a cutout in the middle, and a separate boss piece. In XCS, move this cutout shield pattern so that the very center aligns with the crosshair position.
- Engrave and cut. You'll also want to engrave and cut the separate shield boss (I used a scrap piece for this) and another shield ring. The center cutout area and the shield boss are the same size, so you may want to adjust your kerf offset to get a tighter fit. You may also want to use a higher power engrave setting to account for the added paint layer.
- Glue the ring and the boss to the shield.
Pro tip: Make sure to cut your masking tape using a sharp knife, and preferably somewhere near the bathroom, where your wife keeps the Hello Kitty bandages that she'll use on you when you nearly cut off your finger.
Step6: Use a clear top sealant
Spray the finished coasters with some clear lacquer, polycrylic, or some other sealant. Your coasters are now ready for battle!
Pro tip: Do not do this on your oldest daughter's baby grand piano, even if you put down a drop cloth. You may experience “percussive maintenance” against your cranium.
