A Fantastic Alternative To Ponoko
A project I’m currently working on requires a couple of precision cut pieces of .25” acrylic. My first thought was to use Ponoko. If you’re not familiar with them, Ponoko is a service that allows the user to upload a design and have that design laser-cut (or etched) from a material they choose. In addition to this service, Ponoko also establishes “shops” where users can make their designs available for purchase by other users. Sounds good, right? Well…
I uploaded my design and was quoted about 5$ for materials and an additional 5$ for the cutting. 10 Dollars? SOLD! Before proceeding to the next step in the checkout process, I noticed a little flag of New Zealand below my product information. Below the flag read “your product will be made in New Zealand”. Okay! I thought Ponoko was based in San Francisco, but maybe my order requires special attention? It’s in the final phase of checkout that I realize that my order is ALSO shipping from New Zealand (Yeah, I know… It took a moment for me to realize that items are usually shipped from the location that they are occupying space in, at that time). Shipping Cost: 30 Dollars. As it turns out, all items are shipping from New Zealand complete with international shipping rates.
I could not find any truly domestic alternatives to Ponoko, although I did discover Etsy’s Alchemy.
Alchemy allows buyers to post requests for custom handmade items, and then sellers bid on the opportunity to make those items. I created a post and attached an image of the shape I needed cut. Within 4 hours I had received 6 bids to complete the work. 3 of the bidders owned laser cutters, 2 owned CNC machines, and 1 owned a water jet. The guy I awarded the job to owns a laser cutter and completed the job for 8 dollars, including shipping. For doing the smallest amount of extra work, I saved 32 dollars and had my item produced domestically.
Next time you need something custom created, give alchemy a shot. You won’t regret it.
