Last year, I bought a DIY CNC machine by makermade.com. This year, I upgraded to their newer model which has allowed me to cut coroplast. Often, I get asked “where do you get the lights from”. Well, the lights are bought from several online vendors. A search of WS2811 pixels will quickly produce a list of vendors of the lights. Through the years, I have migrated to different controller boards – not I have a good mix of both falcon controllers and Kulp controllers. But purchasing the ‘lights’ is really just the beginning of putting on a light show.
Much of the labor involved is putting together props. In years past, I have purchased these from several companies that specialize in pixel coro props. However, with my own CNC machine, all the props we added this year were completely made in-house. This includes the two giant wreaths and spinners on the church. We have several other props made that will be featured in the church’s cemetery drive through even this year. They will be added to our show next year (bells, angels and candy canes).
Thanks for sharing this post. I have been wanting to get a CNC machine for a while now, but hesitate because I don’t know how to get the files to cut the Coro (snowflakes, wreathes, etc). Can you share your experiences getting the files?
Thanks!
Hey Cory!
Thanks for your comment. For the files, I just make my own in Adobe Illustrator. For some, I trace the outline with a 12mm circle. Others, I google searched how to repeat patterns in a circle (this is how wreaths would be made). Took some trial and error.
Jesse
Hi Jesse, I just tried to call you. I am interested in you prop creation technique. You appear to be using a router with your CNC. What type and size bit do you use to cut your 12mm pixel holes? What are you using to cut out your shapes? It appears that you are using 10mm corrugated plastic. Thank you, Jeff
Jeff,
I use a a 1/4″ double flute straight bit to cut coro. For the 12mm holes, the bit punches through and then cuts the hole to the appropriate size. The same bit is used for cutting out shapes and has worked pretty well. Yes, I am using 10mm coro these days.
Jesse