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I built this over the weekend to help save me some time carving necks and bodies.

Now that's something I'd like to have ........ do you have any plans? How do you mount the neck (s) to the table?

I didn't use any plans Corky. Just used drawer slides and hinges to get the movement for carveing. It's real simple to make. I'm going to build a desk top one for inlaying my headstock logo and fretboards that will be easier to move around in the shop. I will be useing double stick tape with some de-staco clamps to keep everything still while carveing.

I jiged myself up to the neck. And I try to use powertools as often as possible.

I also try to keep my design features simple. (No complex perflings, very simple inlays, for example).

I couldn't use a duplicarver for necks since my neck shape and specs change from one customer to another.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I think about guitar design while I'm walking the dog.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

How are you compensating for the offset in tool diameter? The picture appears to have two different tool diameters showing?
MK

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I'm outside looking in, just farther from the window than most.

I just stuck those 2 in there for referance. They do have to be the same diameter. I'll be useing 1/4" on both sides most the time.

Okay, I was just wondering Otherwise the pockets would have been 1/4" oversize .

Thanks for clearing that up.

MK

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I'm outside looking in, just farther from the window than most.

That's pretty efficient, but I think about it in my sleep....

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

I study full-time (lutherie school), work part-time, and try to have a life between this all.
The only way I found I can save time is to sleep less. Bad.

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

i try to,
ummm,
I ferget.
Oh!
I remember now!
I try not to save time when building guitars.
I try to spend more time on that.

What kind of laminate router is that and does it work well. Looks like a nice poor man's version of a CNC machine. Thanks for sharing.

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"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

"Blah, blah, woof, woof Howie".
I've tried, but the older I get, the faster time runs away from me...

That's a cheap Harbor Freight router. I have 3 of them and they do a good job for the money. You don't need an expensive one for this machine because you are going to finish sand after anyway. I keep my better routers for binding and rosette work.

Drive fast, and chug beer (not all at the same time, thats NUTS).... and I PVR TV shows so I dont have to watch the commercials ...

and I stopped walking the dog ...

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Very cool - I can't tell from the picture - is there a vertical slide as well, to duplicate the depth of the template, or does it only carve outlines of the template? Thanks.

"Tomorrow I get to poop again!"

It's totally true.

Simple desires are the road to happiness

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

It goes up and down and can carve a 3D copy. If you look at the pic. you can see the brass hinges to allow up and down movement. Hope this helps Corky.

The dog thinks not about tomorrow, Bob. I am quite sure of this. Living in the present is one of their great lessons.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Well said Howard.

One thing I did as a beginner, was to get multiple tools. Like sanding blocks with different grits of sandpaper, so you don't have to change papers. Or get a couple dremels so you don't have to change bits and settings. I wish had more money to get another bandsaw. So I would'nt have to take the time to change blades.

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

I try to do the same thing Jason. I need to get another bandsaw as well. They are very useful and changeing the blade is more time consumeing than most other machines.

What have I done to save time?
I read the OLF to get wonderful tips on better tools and methods to save time.

+1 I agree. There's alot of good info here on the OLF

Quit building guitars.