Reader Input
Notes from readers like you. Page 05
Make: 66 — Digital Fabrication
We’re excited to present our “2019 Make: Digital Fabrication Guide”! This year we get our hands on maker-ready waterjet cutters with machines from Wazer and Omax. We also review the latest 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutters, and vinyl cutters. More than 20 tools tested to help you find the best one for your shop or makerspace.
Plus, more than 30 DigiFab projects and lessons:
- Build a robot companion that reacts to the faces of people around you
- Make Nixie tube-style display with LEDs and acrylic
- Create a mini Intaglio printing press and create unique artwork
- and much more.
On the Cover: The Pulse XE 3D printer, Glowforge laser cutter, and Wazer waterjet cutter wowed in this year’s testing.
Table of Contents
Columns
Made on Earth
Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 06
Fresh, Fun, and Fabulous
In its ninth year, World Maker Faire New York showcases new ideas and a sense of wonder.Page 14
Features
Under Pressure
Nisan Lerea
How Wazer turned a college waterjet cutter project into a startup venture.Page 16
Special Section: Digital Fabrication
Tech Tools
Matt Stultz
New digifab machines give you more project options than ever before.Page 18
Waterjet Cutter Reviews
Matt Stultz
Page 20
3D Printer Reviews
Matt Stultz
Page 24
Laser Cutter Reviews
Matt Stultz
Page 32
CNC Router Reviews
Matt Stultz
Page 36
Vinyl Cutter Reviews
Mandy L. Stultz
Page 40
At a Glance
Peruse specs and data from our reviews to help find the exact machine for your needs.Page 42
Projects
LED “Nixie” Display
Florian Schäffer
Laser-cut and edge-lit, these 10-digit numeric displays are bigger, brighter, and safer than the old tubes.Page 46
Archimedes: AI Robot Owl
Alex Glow
Print and wear a superb owl that uses AI vision to see faces, judge emotions, and respond.Page 52
Mini Intaglio Printing Press
Martin Schneider
Pull traditional etching and engraving prints on a petite press you 3D printed yourself!Page 56
Laser-Cut Box Loom
Matthijs Witsenburg
A portable, easy-to-build machine for band or card weaving.Page 60
3DP Leather Molding
Tasker Smith
Print your own custom tools for traditional leather forming. Page 62
Functional Furniture
Star Simpson
Re-creating a classic kids’ flat-pack table and chair design for CNC cutting.Page 64
The Big Picture
Matt Bell
Use a digital projector to cut and build enormous 3D models out of cardboard.Page 66
1+2+3: Easy Soda Can Robot
Merve Gügör
Make a walking robot using a Coke can and a little trick for gluing two servos together.Page 68
Skill Builders
Perfecting Placement
Lydia Sloan Cline
How to position your 3D model on the digital build plate for optimal print results.Page 70
Micro Milling
Winston Moy
Move up to the next level by going small on your CNC machine. Page 72
Start and Stop G-Codes
Make your printer do your exact bidding with these commands.Page 74
Kerf Wars
Matt Stultz
How much material is really removed by your cutter?Page 76
Show & Tell
Show & Tell
Dazzling projects from inventive makers like you.Page 80
