Cigarette Box
I applied the press-fit joinery technique to costruct the box. Once I figuered out the general measurements of the box I adjusted the pattern of edges to click together. The first thing to consider when designing this pattern is the thickness of the material. In this case I used 6mm mdf, so the pattern has to match that. The other important thing to consider is whether the joinery pattern defines the inner or out the outter periphery of the box design. It doesn't matter which of the two options you chose as long as you stay consistent.
I used the shopbot with an 1/8", 4-flute, down-spiral bit (not sure if that was the optimal choice for this job but it worked fine) to cut out the pattern from a 6mm mdf board. I first applied double-sticking tape on the bottom of the board to prevent the pieces from shaking once they are cut loose from the board.
Halfway the job, I got a 'communication error'. This meant that I had to quit and restart the job, and that my zero coordinates were lost. In order to get the shopbot to cut along the exact same track I had to look carefully at it's cutting path and re-adjust the coordinates a few times (quiting and restarting the job again and again). This is how I learned the importance of writing the down the X and Y coordinates from the absolute zero point BEFORE zeroing on my piece.
I then needed to cut an edge of piece under a 30 degree angle. I used the bandsaw for this job. To start the bandsaw (if it's still not fixed) you need to turn it on (you can hear the motor humming but the saw doesn't run) and then give it a light push (along the cutting direction) with your fingers. You can do this safely by carefully touching the saw blade from its backside (the side without teeth) and pushing it downwards with two fingers.
I used some wood glue to assemble the pieces. This box should never open again.
