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Regarding cutting abalone
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10106&t=54755
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Author:  dzsmith [ Sun Feb 06, 2022 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Regarding cutting abalone

I bought a little 3018 cnc to cut shell and inlay.
My first try was successful.
I glue the shell face down on mdf and cut using a 0.8mm pcb corncob style bit.
I bought some larger pieces of abalone. The back sides have various voids and holes.

Should I attempt to fill the voids with ca or epoxy before cutting?
My concern is the shell breaking. Just wanted to ask before I start cutting it.
Thanks,
Dan

Author:  ballbanjos [ Tue Feb 08, 2022 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Regarding cutting abalone

I've never done that--with high enough RPM on the cutter, and with it glued to a substrate, I would think it would be more solid that if you were cutting it with a jewelers saw. Ungluing it from the substrate might be an issue if the cut was in the middle of the voids I guess. I don't think that filling could hurt anything though.

Dave

Author:  Barry Daniels [ Wed Feb 09, 2022 9:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Regarding cutting abalone

Epoxy or CA will just gum up your bits so probably not a good idea.

Author:  fingerstyle1978 [ Wed Feb 09, 2022 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Regarding cutting abalone

My logo is pretty thin in places. I usually fix it to carbon fiber with thin CA and then double stick tape that to the spoil board. No problems so far.

Author:  Gasawdust [ Wed Feb 09, 2022 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Regarding cutting abalone

Joey,
Do you inlay the CF also? What is your choice for CF and your source?
Tom

Author:  fingerstyle1978 [ Wed Feb 09, 2022 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Regarding cutting abalone

Gasawdust wrote:
Joey,
Do you inlay the CF also? What is your choice for CF and your source?
Tom


Yes, I do as long as there are no rough ends that can't be knocked down with sand paper. I believe I've use RC Tonewoods and Allied most recently.

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