Although we started 100kGarages with ShopBot CNC routers, we’ve always intended to expand to all kinds of digital fabrication tools. To help research some of the other kinds of digital tools (and because they just look like a bunch of fun to play with!), we’ve bought a “laserless” MakerBot kit…a kit without the laser-cut panels and pieces… to see what additive fabrication is all about.

We’re experimenting with cutting the panels for the MakerBot on the PRT benchtop in the shop but there are lots of spots that even a 1/16″ bit won’t fit into so we’re not overly confident of success.  Fortunately, Hines Design Labs was available to cut a set of acrylic pieces in clear and ShopBot blue on their laser cutter  so we’ll be able to start building while we experiment with CNC cutting.