Official Luthiers Forum!

Grizzly makes an Industrial Spiral Cutter head (http://www.grizzly.com/products/h2879)
Has anyone used one yet and how well does it work???

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Rich S

"The inconvenience of poor quality will linger long after the thrill of a bargain has been forgotten"

Rich,

Check out Byrd Tool. I noticed in the other thread you are interested in using one in your shaper, which they make for that use:
http://www.byrdtool.com/SHELIX%20shaper.html
The Shelix gives a true shear cut since the inserts are on an angle.I don't own one but have used the Shelix in a jointer...I want one.

Paul

Rich,

Check out Byrd Tool. I noticed in the other thread you are interested in using one in your shaper, which they make for that use:
http://www.byrdtool.com/SHELIX%20shaper.html
The Shelix gives a true shear cut since the inserts are on an angle.I don't own one but have used the Shelix in a jointer...I want one.

Paul

I've got a 3" tall Shelix on order directly from Byrd. Should be here any day now. I'll let y'all know how it works on my 3 hp shaper.
Some of the Grizzly cutters are made by Byrd. Not sure if the one you're looking at is.
-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

I have the Grizzly jointer with the spiral cutterhead. It is a terrific machine. No tearout at all when joining figured maple, etc., just a clean cut. Highly recommended!

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Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

Hey Charles,
I'd be interested in seeing what you do with your shaper, jigs, etc. I picked up a Grizzly 3 HP shaper recently, but haven't done anything with it yet...

Hey Charles,
How's the new shelix working for you?

Sylvan, (or anyone else who's used them)

Have you rotated the cutters yet? How long do they stay sharp compared to HSS? Do they re-seat easily and accurately when you rotate them? Do you get any ridges?

Thanks.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

I don't know about the particular cutterhead in this thread, but I haven't had to rotate the carbide knives in my General helical head jointer since I've been in business...at four sides, if I rotated them next week, that'd make six years life from a set!

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I've used the grizzly jointer with the spiral setup. Most beautiful cuts I've ever seen from a jointer. I was able to join tops and backs straight from the machine with no cleanup. Simply amazing.
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Shelix head arrived yesterday, and after a little modification to the spindle of my shaper is on the machine. Boy howdy is that a fearless cutter! Not for use by the faint of heart, inexperienced, intoxicated or otherwise impaired.
I'm doing a run of necks now and taking pics along the way. I'll put 'em together for a slide show when I'm a little further along.
-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

I finally got over to my shop to measure my spindle capacity under the nut and its 4”. With a rub collar I would have to get the 3” cutter head and that would leave my short for what I want to do. My shaper is a three HP machine with an inch and a quarter spindles; you would think it would have a longer spindle.

What size cutter heads are any of you guys using?

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Rich S

"The inconvenience of poor quality will linger long after the thrill of a bargain has been forgotten"

I had to put my spindle in the lathe and "lengthen" it about 1/4" to allow for the cutter and bearing.
Not sure what operation (in guitarmaking) that requires more than a 3" tall cutter...
You may be able to change the spindle to a longer one if need be.
-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

The heel on my acoustic necks are 4” tall and the width on the headstock 3 ¼”.
What I would like to do is be able to shape the entire back profile of the neck in one pass.
Then do the side profile.
I might be able to recess the nut into the cutter head or just give the 3” cutter some more consideration.
I wish the diameter was 3” instead of 4”.

Looking forward to the slide show…

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Rich S

"The inconvenience of poor quality will linger long after the thrill of a bargain has been forgotten"

I have used the spiral cutterheads on both the Grizzly joiners and planers. I love 'em.