How to make 3D mandala wall art using XTool M1 ultra

 Are you ready to explore the art of making 3D wall art using a laser machine? I used the XTool M1 ultra laser machine to create 3D mandala wall art, and I'm sharing my experience of how it turned out so that you can learn from it to make your experience smoother. 

Materials used:

Basswood plank

Acrylic paint 

Super glue

paint brush

SVG file I purchased from Etsy (Not sponsored)

XTool M1 Ultra

What size and type of wood should be used for layered laser projects like a 3D mandala?

I used 1.6 mm basswood planks to make this 3D mandala wall art.

How to arrange the layers in Xtool Creative space XCS to cut the 3D mandala?

Once you open the file, it looks like small images grouped together. I used the base layer as a template and enlarged it to fit the canvas, while all the designs are grouped. 

Then I created a canvas for each layer and changed the color to make it easier to process. I was using different colored wood for different layers, so I tried to match the color of the canvas accordingly in XCS.

I wanted to see how it will look in the end and what parts of the layers are merging and what parts are going to show. For this, I copied each layer into the base layer canvas and changed the settings to "Engrave" instead of "Cut" so you will get an idea of what it will look like in the end. Do this in a separate canvas and delete it to avoid confusion while you are cutting layers. 

Can I use acrylic paint to color the wood for laser cutting?

Yes, you can use acrylic paint to color the wood. I used 2 coats of Folk Art acrylic paint and allowed it to dry overnight before cutting it with the XTool M1 ultra laser machine. 

Once you are done with painting, cut each layer with the suggested settings. I went with power 90 and speed 3 with one pass, I also use Smart Air assist along with Xtool M1 ultra for better results without burned edges. 

What glue to use to glue the layers of the laser project?

Loctite Professional Liquid Super Glue. This glue sets faster and is strong; make sure you wear gloves and take caution while handling this glue. You will see the shine if the excess glue runs down the front while the glue is applied to the back. If you want to avoid this, please do it slowly and make sure you align it carefully the first time, as it is hard to remove/adjust, once glued in place. Ta Da! Your beautiful 3D Mandala art using XTool M1 Ultra is now ready to adorn your wall. 

I started this project to hang above the console table we have in our living room, but the table itself was crowded with all the collectibles, so I took this as a chance and did a makeover of that wall. I painted the wall using Behr paint and then added floating shelves to clear up some space on the table. As we were using a white Ikea table in that spot, I did a little makeover to that table to suit the color scheme. I painted the legs gold using Krylon spray paint and used contact paper to match the walnut finish on the floating shelves.

I used the fine-point blade and removable vinyl to cut a Bhagavad Gita Verse in Xtool M1 ultra to add it to the wall. It came out so much nicer than I imagined. Hope you found something inspiring from this makeover, too. Share how you likr it in the comments below. If you want to know any particular details about this project, feel free to ask them in the comments or email me - vikalpah@gmail.com I will be happy to help. 

Are you reading my post along with your child? Is your child intrigued by this cool project? you don't have to stop their curiousity, you need to check Xtool Education to learn how laser cutters can be used to transform abstract concepts into tangible solutions, such as designing functional prototypes, engineering mechanical models, creating art, and enhancing learning across multiple subjects with tech tools, such as STEAM and maker education. They are making different cool products for young minds as well, so that they can bring their dreams to the table. 

This post is a Collaboration with Xtool, however, all the opinions expressed are my own. By clicking the affiliate links above and purchasing, you are helping me grow, and it is not going to cost you anything. Thank you.