Official Luthiers Forum!

Which Cnc do you? Which one would you recommend and why?

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/

Do tell!

I've built guitars for 30 years, but I am just getting started with using a CNC for some things. I lucked into buying a used Avid Benchtop Pro 2436. It's pretty much an ideal size for building guitar parts. Avid recently revamped their control system. I bought the upgrade, and it is really great. Again, I'm just getting going. I learned the basics on a Stepcraft CNC, but then found the Avid by chance for a deal I couldn't pass up. I can highly recommend Avid.

Axiom is another brand that I have seen guitar builders use. And ShopBot.

I personally don't think the huge machines (i.e., full sheet of plywood) are ideal for what guitar builders need. On the other end of the spectrum, the very small import machines will probably only be good for inlays, bridges, headplates, etc.

The unicorn in this endeavor is a machine that is small enough to not take over your shop, but is stout enough and has enough Z travel to be not useless for cutting necks. That's a tough balance to hit.

I’ve got an AVID 4848-PRO. I wanted the largest format machine I could afford in that I wanted to be able put a full sheets of 3/4 ply on the deck to cut parts for tools, some of which you have seen. I also wanted to cut 1” MDF, for my other passion, loudspeaker building. As Don said, the AVID 2436 Desktop is kinda the perfect size for looferin.

Off to Germany in the morning! Tschüß!

I have a Next Wave Piranha XL, with a 12"x30" table. Long enough to do fretboards, and I've done telecaster-style solid bodies on it by offsetting the work. Inlay works great.

I've also been a manufacturing engineer working with CNCs my entire 30+ year career so the learning curve hasn't been an issue for me.

I bought an X-Carve a few years back and I like it. There are certainly downsides and limitations to the system, but once you understand them, you can work around them. It made it's way onto my radar because of the price point.

_________________
-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
Instagram | YouTube

I've got a Laguna IQ 2x4 I bought used for $3500. It's a good machine, and I think they were like $9000 new in 2021. Laguna doesn't sell this model anymore, but it's actually made by https://www.quick-cnc.com/ and still available from them (model 6090). 240 volt, 3 HP, water-cooled, takes 1/2" bits. The RichAuto A11 controller isn't great, but it gets the job done. I have to set the spindle RPM manually (controller ignores the G-code command for that).

It's very rigid. Grab the spindle and try to move it in every direction. Some of them you can get to move several mm. The Laguna IQ doesn't move at all. Laguna says max feed rate is 200 ipm, but other owners say 125 is the practical limit on dense woods. That's OK with me, I'm not running a production shop. Just a hobby.

If I was going to buy a new one, I'd look at the Altmill. Here's a review comparing the Altmill and Shapeoko. https://youtu.be/ehymoBltThI?si=GfGQHEmxZMORW5sH

Here's the same guy on the Altmill vs. the Onefinity. https://youtu.be/oCzSvRSOZ98?si=i-JrfOZGZ8qE8NC_

Greg

I have limited room so I bought PROVerXL 4030 V2 Desktop CNC Router. I have really liked it and have used it a lot for bridges cutting rosette channels, head stock veneers and lots of templates and jig parts. I have only used this one so I can not really make recommendations but I have loved this one.

_________________
http://www.Harvestmoonguitars.com