Coins Tree

by lichat in Workshop > Laser Cutting

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Coins Tree

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Who said that money doesn't grow on trees ?!

That's false ! To prove it, you will need 2 steel plates and about 50 magnets.

Here's a quick tutorial to expain how to build your own magnetic tree.

Draw Your Tree

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First you need to draw your ideal tree.
For me, it must contains cat and birds, but feel free to customize your own.

You can use Illustrator or Inkscape, a freeware who is able to create vector files and export them as dxf files.

Please notice the semicircle that shall support to the tree when folded.

Downloads

Cut Steel

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Unfortunately there is no Fablab with a cutting laser near my house.
But thanks to Internet, i was able to ordered cutouts by sending the attached DXF file and select the material.

I choose galvanized steel and 48 later i received my order !

Do not choose too thick steel, otherwise you are not able to bend it easily.

Downloads

Fold the Support

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To stand the tree it's necessary to bend the semiround part at 90 degrees.
I used a work bench for holding the base and push both parts of the tree in a different way.

Magnetize

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Once fold, you can put your magnets on the branches and some on the trunk.

You can now join the two parts together.

Wear gloves for this operation.
Getting stuck a finger between two steel plates could hurt you seriously !

Tada !

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Coin Tree

Congratulations !
You can now magnetize coins on the tree !

I hope you enjoy this tutorial, please let me know if you like it or build one.