Resin Pored Cube (made With CNC Router or Rotary Tool)

Want a desk ornament that's absolutely useless besides for looking cool? then this is the perfect project for you.

CNC router

1/8 in end mill

computer with fusion 360(or another CAD software)

Vice clamp for CNC

Chop saw

Router table(optional)

torch(optional)

Palm Sander

Resin

Resin pigment

Painters tape

Pen

printer

paper

Log cut off with dimensions more than 3x3x3in (a board can also be cut and used)

This step is optional but I found it help me when designing in cad so I do recommend it, also if using a rotary tool this is mandatory. First I started out by sketching how I wanted each river to connect on a simple template with the dimensions of my cube. This can be done how every you want just make each river flow and connect to another side of the cube.

If you're using a rotary tool you can skip this step. After we have our template you can open your cad software and get to work, first your going to want to make a 3x3 in cube then roughly copy down you sketch into each side, then cut each sketch into your cube model. After this you're going to want to fillet each edge of the cube to your desired radius then adjust your sketch so the rivers connect smoothly.

Again this step can be skipped if using a rotary tool. Fusion has a built in machining tab where you can make tool paths but I prefer v-carve so I exported each face as a dxf then imported each into v-carve. I did 2 toolpaths for this project, first a pocket .2 in deep with 2 passes and then a profile with the same depth and passes except it has a .02 offset as a finishing pass.

The easiest way of doing this is to cut a 1 in thick board into 3 3x3 segments then joining them with wood glue. If you're feeling a little extra you can get a log that's a little over 3x3x3 in and cut it to size. This will look better but takes way longer. If your using a cnc you'll have to custom create toolpaths to fit your machine, I did a face on the top of the block then a 1.5in deep profile around the block to square it off before flipping it and repeating.

If your using a rotary tool you're going to want that template from earlier, cut and glue each side of your template to the block then follow the inside of the lines with a bit of your choice, a normal ball end rotary bit works well for majority of this project. If using a cnc your going to want to set your vice up and zero it to you machine. Then grab your block, some tape, and a pen, now tape and mark each side of the cube with its respective toolpath. set the cube in the vice and run each toolpath. follow the tape markings from earlier to make sure the correct toolpath is ran in the correct orientation.

depending on your design you can get the volume of your cuts from fusion. I used painters tape pulled tight to cover all sides except my largest one, you could also use your most complicated side too pour into so bubbles have less chance of getting stuck inside. After all 5 sides ever covered in at least 2 layers of tape I mixed together 120 ml of resin, added pigment, let the resin sit to degas for 5 min, hit the resin with a torch to pop top layer bubbles then tipped the cube on its side and slowly poured the resin in. Make sure to take a break after pouring a little bit of resin in and spin the cube around to coat all the inside curves of your cube.

This is optional but I laser cut out a template for rounding my corners, this can also be printed and cut out of paper. I first took and used a router table to get majority of the material off of each corner then went back and completed each round with a palm sander. This whole step could be completely done with a sander if needed. I started with 220 grit and worked my way up to 800 for a finer finish on the resin. This can then be oiled with mineral oils or waxed.