The Hobby Guy Workshop

Floating Cross

Completed

Laser Workshop GuildDiode Lasers Community

I created a Floating Cross memorial for a dear friend. However, it ended up being way too big for the size magnets I bought. So, I had to use multiple magnets and it’s not really “floating”.

My goal with this project is to keep it small enough to use the magnets I have. I’ll be using 3x6mm magnets. I will be using 3mm birch or basswood that will be glued together to create the 6mm depth. Since I will need to cut a space at the top of each cross and the bottom of the arch for the magnets, I plan on using 1/16thin. wood and creating small squares to hide them. I will also be creating small squares for the other ends. This style of crucifix is similar to a San Damiano cross. If this works, I have some other ideas on crosses to make.

Session 3

Cut it out and assemble.

Back to the Aliencell X1. Finished the design in Lightburn, export to svg, load in to Aliencell Space. Chose the material as basswood 3mm in Aliencell Space. Didn't like the defaults and changed somethings and processed the file. Didn't like it. The engravings were too light and the cuts were too scorched. Back in Aliencell Space, the settings were the defaults for the material. In the AI livestream w/ Rich and Patrick a few weeks ago, Patrick had the same issue. It appears that if you pick a default material, Space won't let you change the settings. So, I went back to "unknown material". Changed some settings and I like it better.
I ran the pics through Google Gemini to remove the background. It's much easier to see the design.

There are three pics. The first is of the arch design I settled on. If you look at the Lightburn file in the first session, there are pics of a number of different designs I liked. The second pic shows the cross hanging with the magnets installed. So, that worked! I was relieved. Finally, the third pic includes the layered pics to hide the magnets and complete the style of cross.

The next seesion will be (hopefully) the staining and final assembly. I may also add a lessons learned notes for my future reference.

Cut it out and assemble. — Starting Files

Photos and project files added when this Project Session was created.

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First Prototype

I put these photos in my last project session. I guess they should have gone here? So, I need to dial in my settings better on the engrave and cut.

The magnets worked as expected.

My plan for the fishing line at the bottom worked ok. It was kinda wacky which prevents the cross from staying straight. Need to work on that for the next attempt.

Finally, I need to use the wood glue to hold the arch and cross layers together. I used super glue and it stuck immediately. So, that's another reason things aren't as straight as they should be. The wood glue will give me a little more time to align the pieces.

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Improvement notes and suggestions
I like thisPop Pop Moose

I've seen these crosses and have thought about creating one myself. It's been on the back burner for a while, but you've piqued my interest in it again! Thank You!

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