apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Dee,

Did you do some research yourself before you posted this question?

It's always good to ask but you have to do your homework before you ask 'us'(maybe not me) to do the work for you.

You use the internet but not using it to it's full potential.

I can tell you there are a few in the valley and it's west of the 405 and many in burbank too.

try http://www.100xbetter.com/
I do believe they have a CNC machine that can cut anything. They are located downtown.

Things to Think About:
- could be more costly than you are thinking, depending on material, cut quality desired, length of cut etc
- laser cutting limits your material (as obviously some things will just burn or melt) and the cuts are slightly more rough
- water jet cutting is slightly more expensive generally but you get a better finish and the material range is much wider and varied, from wood to tile to plastics and rubber
- the guys our company uses charge by the mm cut, design so that you are using as little length in the cuts as possible

i am by far no expert. but my partner works a water jet cutter and his work is really nice. :)

100xbetter has the most annoying website I've ever seen. But they're in my neighborhood.

Whoa....a bit harsh there, phase2phase. This site happens to be a place to ask editors and viewers for information and resources. If it wasn't, there wouldn't be posts titled Good Questions.

Didn't mean to be harsh.


People who haven't even try to look it up and think it's more convenient to ask people to 'feed them with information' bothers me.

I was stuffing $$$ in his pocket if he gets what I meant.

Not so fast, phase2phase. Who is this "us" you speak for (and why the curious punctuation?)? I was delighted when I read Dee's question. Here’s why: First, I did not consider laser cutting for a project until she posted. This might be the solution I’ve been hoping for! Second, I also prefer suggestions located in the Valley, West of the 405, but like Dee, am open to places throughout the LA area. After all, I'm used to driving and doubt we are the only LA residents interested in this question.
Additionally, I am grateful that Dee specifically requested REPUTABLE recommendations (perhaps you missed this, phase2phase?). Given AT's large readership and the AT Los Angeles division, Dee’s submission of this very "Good Question” demonstrates internet savvy. Indeed, what value is “homework” when merely posting a message is enough?

Finally, I missed the original post on Valerie Boy's amazing light sculpture. It is beautiful. Thanks, Dee!

'Homework' in this case means google 'Laser Cutting', then call and inquire each result listed. That's internet savvy.

I bet Valerie invested a lot of time and money to create her light sculpture just to inspire dee-to-attempt-to-create and now transpire genjenn too.

In design world, you don't ask other designers for resources because we all know resources are valuable.

/\ /\ /\
Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

I would love to see recommendations as well. I have done the internet savvy thing and researched this online at some length (although a while back) and it was daunting and I never quite found what I was looking for.

That sculpture is sooo beautiful. I wonder if with the right choice of materials one could achieve something similar with very patient exacto knife work. Would be VERY cost effective...

Scottytown, the original version of that light installment was hand-cut, so I'm sure the style can be easily accomplished without laser cutting.

As for finding a reputable shop? You can also check out yelp.com for reviews of places. Not sure what they have in the way of laser cutting, but it's worth the look.

I am a designer. I share my resources and methods with others. If I am happy with a vendor I want them to do well. If they can't survive I will lose them as a resource myself.

Any local lazer cutters in Chicago?

i'm sorry i usually don't like to respond negatively to posts, but if someone's question bothers you then don't respond to it, its as simple as that, you don't have to leave a rude response. the AT editors posted this question for a reason, because its a good one, and they were interested in topic as well! this is an online community to help people!

Ths is a valuable question because it is not information that is easy to find and it also is good to have a recommendation on how the fiirms service is. With skilled craftspeople, you want to know how well they deal with the service part of the business and that you can only get from someone who has used them. I think it is a pefect AT question.

I know of a great laser cutting company in San Diego, it's a bit far for people in Los Angeles, but probably worth it. They love doing creative projects.

http://www.inscriptu.com/

Google can only tell you so much phase2phase, and plenty of designers are obviously more than willing to share their resources and knowledge, otherwise AT wouldn't still be alive and thriving.

Thanks for the great question Dee, I'm not on your side of the world so I can't help, but thank you for the inspiration nonetheless :)

www.reallyfake.com is a great resource. They do all sorts of printing and fabricating, including cutting. They're located at the Brewery near downtown LA, but you can always work over the phone and via email.

I have various laser cutters and may be able to help although I am in Norcal.

Try my friend Mike Russek, at

http://1028designs.com/

Tell him his friend Jewel sent you :)

We specialize in decorative laser cutting-- mostly wood, paper and plastic. It's Northern California but shipping is 2 days to LA.

www.lightwavelaser.com

There is a great small shop right down the 110 form LA. They deal with a lot of custom designers and different types of business. Great work on some of my lamps.

www.lasercuttingshop.com/