I like to break up my guitar bodies into separate steps of 10-30 minutes at a time, so that I can tweak settings and take breaks as desired. It might take 2-3 hours to do a whole guitar body, depending on how complex it is and what other tools you might have in your workshop. It’s definitely loud with their router, a bit less so with the VFD spindle. I made an enclosure, which helps, but running a dust collector as well I just wear Isotunes headphones and listen to music
if ya dont mind me asking.... how much $ did it run ya to get totally set up with that CNC unit? programs bits router unit its self..... i want a cnc for fretboard inlays.
You're looking at about $2700 if you go with the same CNC as Randy (Shapeoko 4), not including the table the CNC rests on (it's very important to have a perfectly level table for the CNC, I spent about $300 making mine). The CNC is about $2500 before tax, with router and an endmill pack. Then add a few specialized end mills (less than $100 total). Carbide Create software is somewhat limited, but free. If you buy fancier software like Fusion 360 it can add up to $500 to your bottom line. So plan around $3k. You could save a little by getting an X-Carve but the Shapeoko 4 is more heavy duty, which will be useful if you ever want to do bodies or necks.
I actually have the Shapeoko 4 XL, which comes in around $2000. The XXL is a bit more for more capacity, and then there are the Pro versions which supposedly do more. They all come with Carbide Create, which is fine for 2D stuff like bodies and fretboards
It’s usually just a matter of deciding how you want to secure the piece. Since fretboards are such lightweight pieces, I used CA glue and tape, since that would have more than enough holding power. That eliminates needing to clean up tabs later.
This is perfect. Thank you!
Hi, how long it takes to finish a guitar body 3-4hrs?Is it to loud? I was thinking of buying shapeoko 4 cnc machine.
I like to break up my guitar bodies into separate steps of 10-30 minutes at a time, so that I can tweak settings and take breaks as desired.
It might take 2-3 hours to do a whole guitar body, depending on how complex it is and what other tools you might have in your workshop.
It’s definitely loud with their router, a bit less so with the VFD spindle. I made an enclosure, which helps, but running a dust collector as well I just wear Isotunes headphones and listen to music
thanks a lot👍
if ya dont mind me asking.... how much $ did it run ya to get totally set up with that CNC unit? programs bits router unit its self..... i want a cnc for fretboard inlays.
You're looking at about $2700 if you go with the same CNC as Randy (Shapeoko 4), not including the table the CNC rests on (it's very important to have a perfectly level table for the CNC, I spent about $300 making mine). The CNC is about $2500 before tax, with router and an endmill pack. Then add a few specialized end mills (less than $100 total). Carbide Create software is somewhat limited, but free. If you buy fancier software like Fusion 360 it can add up to $500 to your bottom line. So plan around $3k. You could save a little by getting an X-Carve but the Shapeoko 4 is more heavy duty, which will be useful if you ever want to do bodies or necks.
I actually have the Shapeoko 4 XL, which comes in around $2000. The XXL is a bit more for more capacity, and then there are the Pro versions which supposedly do more.
They all come with Carbide Create, which is fine for 2D stuff like bodies and fretboards
@@theweekendluthier Good point about the router and end mill pack, I wasn’t including that
@@zwitchguitars cool thanks buddy! 2k American right?
@@luthiferbuilds Yeah, $2,000 American
What bit did you use for the fret slots?
I use 0.6mm bits from Amazon, buying them 10 at a time. They break quite easily
Nice explanation! I was wondering why you didn't use tab function?
It’s usually just a matter of deciding how you want to secure the piece. Since fretboards are such lightweight pieces, I used CA glue and tape, since that would have more than enough holding power. That eliminates needing to clean up tabs later.
@@zwitchguitars Makes sense thanks.