Official Luthiers Forum!

I got a great deal on this CNC router. Free.

I have been trying to figure out the best use of this machine - I have a basic knowledge, an instructor's copy of Mastercam (I am now retired), and the help of the salesman friend who took it in on trade.

I had the idea that I could use it to cut the fret slots - it would save me from purchasing the saw and the rest of the package, and perhaps put the machine to good use. It only has a 12" x 12" travel, so I would have to flip the piece midway through. Does anyone know where I could get a bit small enough? So far I have only been able to find a downcut bit to cut 1/32 in. which is just a tad to big.

Also chime in if you feel this is not a good idea.

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Ken Bremer
Madison, Wisconsin
http://www.bremerguitar.blogspot.com

Precisebits.com for the cutters. You don't want a down-cut in this application.

It's sort of a bad idea. It could be made to work, but odds are it'll be less accurate than the table saw rather than more so unless you design a good fixture.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Ummmm...well, a 12" x 12" travel isn't good for much except inlay work for headplates and that kind of thing. But it will be very good for that, provided the spindle/router has reasonable runout.
Free? Hard to beat that price...

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I thank you for the comments - and would agree that the accuracy issue is a problem. I figured down the road I could get into inlay, and will probably save it for that. I will do some experimenting with bits, etc.
I couldn't pass the good deal up, it is a dinosaur, but well built.

Thanks again!

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Ken Bremer
Madison, Wisconsin
http://www.bremerguitar.blogspot.com