Lessons learned in my first week trying to build guitars
- Thread starter Chistopher
- Start date
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
I actually stand behind the Reverse V. It was designed more to be a statement piece than an instrument.
I wonder what the argument in the boardroom was like.
A CNC in combination with skill is a killer combination. If I had the space I'd have top of the line machines (bandsaw, tablesaw, oscillating thickness sander, and a vertical band sander), plus a 2HP 3 axis CNC, for inlays. but I would never have a CNC do everything. Where's the fun in that.
OH, and a spray booth.
one day. one day... No need for it. Just want it.
OH, and a spray booth.
one day. one day... No need for it. Just want it.
uOpt
Something Cool
I you use a CNC like the one linked, how do you do things like pickup cavities? Right now I use mechanical templates with a hand router. Are there libraries of predefined elements for CNC? What software does that feed into?
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Most CNC mills require that you do all or most of these steps
Make a CAD model of the final design you want
Make a CAD model of the material you are cutting from (not all require this)
Tell the tool what bits to use and what techniques to use to remove the material.
Zero the head of the mill
That's a very hand waving way of saying it, but I would bet to do a single Telecaster from scratch on a CNC mill would take as long if not longer than it would take a skilled luthier to do a Tele from templates.
Now if you want to make 1000 Teles, quite a different story.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Also while I'm here, is there anything wrong with using a 2" flush trim bit to do the sides of a body blank all in one pass? I used a compact circular saw (alas, I no longer own or have access to a bandsaw) to trim away a good bit of the excess, the router is just to get the last bits.
i wouldnt do 2" in one pass, seems like a lot to chew off at once.
as far as the cnc machine, one of my oldest friends is a machinist, and has been doing cnc for 25+ years. theres a lot of easy to use cad programs out there and if you can find someone with a good scanner, it will do most of the work for you
as far as the cnc machine, one of my oldest friends is a machinist, and has been doing cnc for 25+ years. theres a lot of easy to use cad programs out there and if you can find someone with a good scanner, it will do most of the work for you
To program a cnc program for just 1 guitar is insanity, but if you do the same many times, it does pay off. Even if it is just the contour of the body and the neck pocket and bridge. Pickups can be done later if need be. Inlay, same story. It just makes life a bit easier and more consistent.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
2" tall, 1/2" diameter. Probably not trying to take off more than 1/8th an inch per pass
Fender_Punk
BerriesAndCreamologist
Everyone is on drugs these days. The only thing cooler than a flying V is a flying V that trips you out!
True. But I bet they were also stuck on designs, and these 2 got people talking and arguing about them.
uOpt
Something Cool
The second resource I find on this https://cncguitar.com/ states that he CNCed his own CNC machine specifically for guitars. I guess there is some geekery to be found there.
JamesPaul
Well-known member
That would be cool! I think I read/saw someone, may have been Taylor, was doing a run of guitars all from reclaimed wood.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
I figured the teardrop shape is simple and could be a plank without much contouring.
blakejcan
Well-known member
I remember they were taking lumber from trees that were too big and were being cut down alongside california freeways. The only bummer is that the price for those was even higher than a regular Taylor
