Official Luthiers Forum!

I haven’t posted much recently simply because I have some cool projects
going on! So I thought I would share a few with you.

First, I have been developing my skills working with aluminum and trying
to think like a machinist. A few weeks ago I happened upon a small
milling machine on my local Craig’s list. I bough it thinking if it's good
for nothing else it would make a great saddle-slotting rig.

Mill


This tool has been very useful and it cuts the nicest slots in bridges.
Here's a picture of a bridge with the milled slot below and a slot cut on
my drill press above.


Milled Slot

I've been working on building a carving duplicator to rough out archtop
plates. So far I've got the carriage built minus the router mount and I'm
beginning to get the rails and linear bearings lined up.

Here's a preview:

http://www.freilicherguitars.com/OLF/carvingduplicator/
duplicatorsetup1.jpg

Enjoy!

Louis

PS- Sorry, I still can't get pics to upload or link from my site!

_________________
- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

[QUOTE=Louis4052] Here's a picture of a bridge with the milled slot below and a slot cut on
my drill press above.[/QUOTE]
Wow! Nice and clean--can't argue with that! What cutter did you use?

   http://www.freilicherguitars.com/OLF/carvi ngduplicator/dupli catorsteup2.jpg

Louis, simply copy and paste the picture location to the little window after clicking the little green tree icon. The UP arrow Tree, allows you to post to the OLF, but presently isn't working for reasons unknown to the general olf populace. Great looking machine sir, and may I say, nice find on CraigsList. What did that set you back? Looks expensive used? ! Bruce

Edit, hmmm, pic didn't load, but I found a blank space in the name, we'll try again after the edit.

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

This software is adding spaces, you are right Louis, only a link is currently working, the pic links are corrupted on publishing?

I give up. And... I'm going back to bed.

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Well, it had been working, then it didn't didn't didn't did! Hooray.

Nice looking start on a CNCchine....

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Thanks Bruce!

The slot was cut with a 4 flute 3/32 end mill. There are some more pictures
of the tool and tool holder on my site.

I'll check in and answer more questions tonight; I'm on my way out to pick
up a metal cutting lathe!

Cheers,

Louis

_________________
- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

Looking good there Louis! Nice set up!

The mill was $300 and for a small, entry-level machine, I figured that
qualified as a cheep education! Now that I have some experience working it
I want a bigger one!
The mill has replicable collets, similar in function to the 1/4 and 1/2 collets
that you can swap out of larger routers.   I have a set that includes 1/8
1/4 3/8 and 1/2 for the mill. I have some pics of the collets and how they
work that I will try and post.

Louis

_________________
- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!