I have a shop and can make this via a saw and router, but I thought of using a laser to burn it so it would be less work for me. I am trying to make a zero clearance insert for a table saw. Kobalt KT1015. I have no clue now how to get the outer dimensions to add to LB. When you guys do this, do you use a scan app on an iPhone, or do you do it the old fashion way: micrometer, etc? Do you take a pic of it and import it into Illustrator to crate a path, then and a .svg? Just asking. I want to make it out of 1/4 inch acrylic.
I’m sure everyone approaches this differently. If those are exactly half circles then just measure them. If something more complex I do a trial and error approach and cut paper or cardboard until it matches. Then cut wood.
Take a good straight picture of it, trace it and scale it with known dimensions
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Do you have access to a flatbed scanner? If so, that’s the most straightforward way of getting a visual of the shape.
If not, take a photo using the most distortion free lens that you have. Taking at a distance will reduce distortion as well so typically you want to use a longer focal length lens. Filling more of the image sensor will provide more available resolution to the image. Doing so with the insert placed on a lightbox will make the boundaries very distinct.
Once the image is captured you could attempt to directly trace it in LightBurn. That could give you “good enough” vector data to cut the insert.
However, I’d suggest using the image as a reference for a hand-drawn design. Use calipers or similar to take precise measurements. Then create primitive shapes in LightBurn based on those measurements and place over the reference image to make sure things look correct. Once complete, burn to a piece of scrap material and hold up against factory insert and test fit to confirm fitment.
Cut on final material once you’re satisfied with the fit. Make sure you’re familiar with kerf on the acrylic in case you need to make an adjustment.
Totally forgot about the scanner thing. I will try that with a test burn. Thanks.
It´s safer to use wood or ply, acrylic can fragment and hurt you.
Fernando
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