Summary

One of the reasons I purchased my xTool M1 was for engraving switch plates. You can't engrave plastics with it, but wood and some metal plates work pretty well. I suppose I could create and engrave acrylic plates, but I haven't ventured down that path yet. After engraving several steel plates, one at a time, I decided I needed a better way. So I set off to design a jig (though technically I guess I should call it a fixture, since it's holding the plates in place while the tool—the laser—is moving).

The outcome is a fixture with inserts to hold up to six Decora-style (paddle switch) plates in place at once for engraving. I have a plan in mind for toggle switch plates, too, but I need more time to work on that. And the actual engraving? Well that's another story for another time....