Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm a CNC professional on my day job, turning out custom sign parts. I took it into my head to try using the rig at work for inlay. Got the pearl laser-cut at my local trophy shop, and Saturday we cranked up the big machine to rout the ebony. (This sucker is almost 7 x 11 feet, with a high-powered head on it. Kinda like squirrel hunting with a bazooka.)

It all came out sweet. The Abalam wanted a quick stroking with fine-grit sandpaper, mostly because Miles at the trophy shop tuned things to not quite cut all the way through so as not to lose any of the parts,and there's just enough edge gap to allow a bit of squeeze-out.

Anyway, I have the files for a Martin-style tree of life covering 19 frets at 25.4 scale length. 1/8" and 1/16" bits. Is there a spot here to share this sort of thing?

You can attach files to your posts here, there's a box to do it right under where you type in your messages. If it won't let you, then I can host them for you on my webserver and put a link here. Just e-mail the file to bob@saintlutherie.com if it doesn't let you attach it and I'll put it on the server (and post a link message here).

So far as your forays into making parts go : congratulations, it's a lot of fun and frustration . What sort of router are you cutting the pockets on?

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

We have two, actually, both made by an outfit called AXYZ, out of Canada I think. No automatic tool changes or anything... Mostly we use them to whack up big sheets of aluminum and plastic. (We do high-end signs for malls etc. all over the country.) We just did a major tune-up on the bigger one (7x10 foot bed,) so that's the one we used.

The only problem I've run into so far is that I have three small furry assistants, and one of them apparently made off with one small piece of shell. But Miles at the trophy shop still has the files, so I can get a replacement cut for a couple of bucks.

The files are on my work computer. Look for them tomorrow.

Welcome to the clan, Jamie!
Nelson Palen

Cool, post some pics when you get a chance!

Trev

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Will do.
At the moment I'm still gluing. I got the first 12 frets' worth glued in (though not cleaned up) by Sunday night. Monday's my night to play out. Tonight I got distracted by the President. Trying to get two or three more frets done tonight, if you all will leave me alone!
(Just kidding...)

You were distracted from guitar making by the presidential address? Man, where are your priorities?

The President was one night. There's this project on my day job that's been kicking my butt. AND I've resumed performing after a 30-year hiatus!

Don't tell me not to burn the candle at both ends. Tell me where to get more wax!

Anyway here's the finished product. I'll be back in a few minutes to attach the actual files.

The President was one night. There's this project on my day job that's been kicking my butt. AND I've resumed performing after a 30-year hiatus!

Don't tell me not to burn the candle at both ends. Tell me where to get more wax!

Anyway here's the finished product. I'll be back in a few minutes to attach the actual files.

Hey Jamie! just wanted to say hello.
I also work at a sign shop and I run
a CNC router (Gerber Sabre) and
a Laser cutter (Universal Laser).
Ive been using them to make jigs and
fixtures as well as parts. Anyway, its
cool that there's someone else making
guitar parts in their sign shop. Aloha!