Custom MIT Maps: Woodworking & 3D Printing

01 / PROJECT OVERVIEW

A map before moving to MIT

Before moving to MIT, I wanted to make one last fun project. I was getting more interested in woodworking, so I decided to combine that with a map of MIT and the Boston area that my parents could display.

I made the wooden frame by routing slots into the pieces with a manual mill, then joined them with dowel pins and stained the frame. A sheet of blue acrylic makes the water background. I found the map online, scaled it to size in Bambu Studio, then 3D printed it in sections and glued them together.

Side view showing the depth of the framed MIT and Boston map — Side view of the framed map.

02 / A SECOND MAP

One to bring to college

I gave the first map to my parents. I liked the project enough to make a second, smaller version to bring with me to college. It has a clear background and now sits by my desk.

Smaller MIT map with a clear background by my desk — The smaller map I keep by my desk.

03 / PROJECT GALLERY

Design & Build

Photos from the frame-making and map assembly process.

Pieces for the MIT map frame — Frame pieces.

Partial 3D prints for the MIT map — Partial 3D-printed components.

Test assembly of the MIT map — Test assembly.

Test assembly of the MIT map frame — Test frame assembly.

Stained wooden frame for the MIT map — Stained wooden frame.

Staining the MIT map wooden frame — Wood staining.