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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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http://www.casperguitar.com

Shhh!!!

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Yep, used well it's without a doubt one of the most effective tools out there. Nice work getting those necks figured out!

I use mine to do thicknessing and jointing as well as slotting, carving, inlaying, etc.. Just being able to make good jigs is a huge help.

Trev

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Ooops…sorry! Didn’t realize I was letting out a secret! I now understand better how Jim Olson runs the shop by himself!

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http://www.casperguitar.com

Well....the worm has turned for you.

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I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic

Coolness...

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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."