Glowforge Laser Cutter Project: Q-Tip Crossbow

I wanted to expand on my first Udemy course, Inkscape For Glowforge by offering advanced projects. I will share some of my favorite JEMTOY designs by providing the actual SVG Inkscape file, along with detailed video instructions on how to laser cut and put each project together.

The first project I have for you is my nifty Q-Tip Crossbow toy that shoots cotton swabs. This toy is so much fun I feel the need to suggest parental supervision if you give this to the wee ones. There is something so thrilling about creating a working gadget like this. Sure there are all kinds of educational things you could focus on, like mechanical advantage, engineering a trigger, interlocking design concepts, but who cares about all that when you can shoot Q-Tips around the room!

If you are new to laser cutting, have access, or just purchased a Glowforge, you can learn a lot from working with these advanced designs. If you are a seasoned pro (or a comic book super villain), you can adjust and update the SVG file and make the design your own. Feel free to open the SVG in Inkscape to customize the design and do whatever comes to mind to make it more fun or functional.

To complete this build you will need:

• Access to a Glowforge or other laser cutter that uses SVG files as cut paths.

• Proof Grade Medium Plywood (I use Maple, but any 1/8" thick wood should work).

• 220 Grit Sand Paper.

• Glue (white glue or super glue).

• Paper Towel to wipe up any glue blobs.

• 3 Rubber Bands. Thin, about 3 inches long.

• Cotton swabs to use as ammunition.

• Scissors to cut swabs.

The JEMTOY Q-Tip Crossbow is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, which means you can do whatever you want except sell it. Feel free to adjust, modify, change, share, post... just don't sell the design, svg file, instructions, laser cut parts, or any finished product made using the resources found in this course.

Original JEMTOY prototype designs are intended for ages 15 and up, and are provided here for fun and educational purposes only. Parental supervision and participation suggested.

I'd love to see what you make. Tag photos @JEMTOY on instagram ~ PLEASE do me a favor and leave this course a review - I thank you in advance!