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This is what I came up with.

It’s 1/2hp, runs an 1-1/2” pulley at the motor, a 14” at the shaft and uses a lathe backing plate for the fitter. This gives a no load speed of about 180rpm which though spirited is very manageable once you are familiar with it. The dust collection is very good though my next mod will be to drill a few holes in the dish itself in order to clear the inside of the rims. The dishes are made by Canadian Luthier Supply which I feel are worth every penny.

I know most folks don’t own a largish format CNC able to handle 4x8 sheet goods. If you do and also own Vcarve I will happily share the file.

Cheers, M

Me likey!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Michael,
Can you explain a bit about lathe backing chucks. It seems like a good connecting method for this application. Some time down the road I will build a sanding machine and this looks better than anything else I've seen. In short, how do the two pieces connect - Do they just screw together with a thread orientation that is against the spin of the dish?

I was unable to find anything online about how they work -- only how to make them.

Thanks !!!

What's your bearing?

Thanks

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Toonces,

Yes, they just spin on against a bronze washer making it easier to change dishes. I’ve got a pair of jam-nuts behind it acting as a stop. I tried using keyed collars as stops but they walked down the shaft over time. The backing plates are 6” 3/4”-16 which purchased on eBay. I took a look to see if they were still available and could only find 6” 1”-8 though I did see some exactly like mine, but used. There is a slight wobble (less than an 1/8”) in my setup because I need to face-off the outside jam-nut in a lathe. I’ve been looking for a lathe and small mill. I’ll fix it when I get it.

M

I used these

https://www.vxb.com/3-4-UCF204-12-Squar ... gIW3PD_BwE

M

Michael, that is impressive. You're a fine symphony composer and the rest of us are banging on pots and pans.

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Ha Hahaha!

My wife, Karen’s, saying is “Poppa is a tool ho”!!

That is sick ... the good kind. And, FYI, I'm up for adoption. Just sayin'.

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George :-)

Does this swing down into a horizontal position or do you use it vertically and hold the body and form up against it?

I use it in the vertical position with the rims in a frame. The frame can rest on an HDPE covered shelf just below the dish itself. Since I’m not trying to hold it up as well, I’ve got a lot of control. It’s really comfortable to use and it takes only a minute. To cut a wedge body is a breeze. There is no need to precut the rims to get them close before driving the bus, you just make a few marks to indicate where you want to stop. In that you are standing directly in front of the dish with it at belly level it’s easy to see your marks on either side and upper and lower bouts.

M

" To cut a wedge body is a breeze"

I've found that to be true of the motorized dishes I use also. It takes a little more effort _not_ to cut a wedge shaped body. I probably spend more time checking measurements than I do sanding, but I would wager the whole process takes less than 5 minutes time altogether.