Did a lot of work with the CNC over the weekend and thought it might make an interesting post. I bought my machine earlier in the year and feel like I have climbed a mountain since then, but I am getting more comfortable with the machine and find ways to use it all the time. Here's what I did over the weekend:
Friday night:
- Cut a representation of the state of Michigan from Petoskey stone to inlay in the headstock of a customer's guitar.
- I couldn't use my usual shell for the logo, so I cut a logo from maple.
- Cut the headstock profile in my headstock laminate so I could bind before gluing to the headstock.
- To be super lazy, I cut my bindings, perfectly sized for the headstock. Why? Because I could!! Wow, binding the headstock veneer was a breeze with perfect miters--installed in 5 minutes!!
Saturday:
- Cut a new router template for my headstock profile. Also cut a matching one for the bottom that bolts through a couple of tuning machine holes and can be clamped in the vise to hold the headstock very firm while I route. Much less fear and trembling when routing the profile now!
- Milled a neck for another guitar I am working on
- Milled a fingerboard (profile, fret slots, and inlay pockets) for above neck
- Milled 2MM walnut dots for side position markers
So I had an evening and a Saturday to play luthier, and the CNC machine was on and running a good portion of the time. I really felt like I had a 2nd employee as I could focus on something else while the CNC cut logos, inlay pockets, milled necks, and fingerboards.
I know I was able to get by without a CNC before, but man, I am really enjoying having this tool in the shop now!
Ken
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