Laser Cut MDF

[fred.]

Hi Leon,

Just received some of your laser cut MDF bases - they come with a nice black edge were they have been cut.

Can you cut any shape with the laser cutting machine? And is it possible to "write"  on the surface without cutting all the way though? I am thinking of the ability to make tokens or makers for games, the brown wood with black edges looks good, and isn't as distracting as bright plastic markers?

Some of the ones that would be good, would be disordered / confused (perhaps a cloud with a D in) could also be used to mark dust clouds.
An arrow - to be used to indicate who is winning in a combat, or to show direction of movement
Shields, round and kite, to be used as wound or fatigue markers.

I think generally around 1p sized (e.g. 20mm across) would be good, i.e. not too big to get in the way, but big enough to pick up / see?

If this is possible what file format can the laser cut use?

[wargamesbob]

I too like the idea of attractive markers rather than shiny plastic discs and happily second this request
Bob

[Luddite]

I've got exactly these type of markers from Warbases.

They are excellent markers as the blend into the table in a way bright plastic doesn't, yet are there to see when you need to.

I third the call for Pendraken to produce something similar!

[fred.]

The warbases ones are a bit plain, they are just words on a simple disc. I was thinking of different shaped markers. I'm sure I've seen these at a show, but can't remember who the vendor was.

[Nico]

Sarissa Precision offer a custom MDF base service, if Pendraken can't they might help. I placed a custom order a while ago, it's not that expensive.

here you go: http://www.sarissa-precision.co.uk/store/bases/

But in case you can "write" on the mdf surface - I, too, might be interested in several custom markers.

Cheers

[Leon]

You can do pretty much anything with the machine, custom shapes, writing on them, etc. etc.  I've really not ventured near the full potential of what can be done.  I do plan on doing more things along these lines, along with acrylic versions, just as soon as some spare time appears.

As for software, there's a drawing package which came with the machine which is very basic, but allows me to do the bases easily enough.  For more professional stuff, you need Corel Draw, which I ain't got a copy of unfortunately.

Any more feedback on what specific items you'd like would be great though, always appreciated.

[Nosher]

Marker sets for specific rule sets such as FoG, Hail Caesar, Black Powder and IABSM would all get my vote

[NTM]

Warlord released some rather good sets for Black powder recently

[fred.]

Found these from Warlord, the swords look really good



I'd Corel draw the only file format that the laser machine can take? As Corel draw is proprietary and the software is expensive.

[Nico]

15x15 acrylics would be sweet, various colours, maybe not only text but also some design. I came across 15x30's only so far.

Is it Corel Draw you need or do you have to feed the machine some special file format ?

Cheers

[FierceKitty]

Found these from Warlord, the swords look really good



I'd Corel draw the only file format that the laser machine can take? As Corel draw is proprietary and the software is expensive.

Ummm...what sort of swords are those intended to be?

[Derek H]

Lots of earlier versions of Corel Draw can be bought for buttons on Ebay.

[GordonY]

Off the top of my head...

Fatique markers for Saga Leon.

25mm round with an "F" on them.

Gordon

[Nico]

Ummm...what sort of swords are those intended to be?

Kirby !

[Leon]

I'll have a check on the file type needed for the machine, and see about picking up a copy of Corel from somewhere.