I didn't think I would ever want a CNC, but the more I see of them, the more I think having one would have benefited me with one of the projects I made in the past and would like to start making again. Each part had to be cut separately with a scroll saw, then I would have to sand two pieces by hand so they matched in shape and size. Tedious work that would be made drastically easier if each piece was cut exactly the same size and shape with a CNC. That's precision that I can't achieve by cutting them with a scroll saw. Other than the issue of matching my needs to any particular CNC, affording one would be my main issue.
Man for the longest time I never thought I'd want a CNC and was even kind of repulsed by the idea of people "not being real craftsmen". My opinion began to change when I spent a decent amount of time with a machinist running CNC mills and saw just how much work still goes into the entire process. They are very fun machines to have but definitely come at a cost.
This is such good information, and it’s fun to watch! Tell me, when you say you ‘open up the pocket,’ what are the steps you are following to do this? Are you running the same path again? I’m super curious! I’d also love any tips you have for a new cnc user!
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! To open up the pocket I went back to Vcarve and set an offset to make the pocket about .002" larger. If the inlay still doesn't fit, I repeat the process until I get the fit just right. For a new CNC user the biggest thing is to just start running it and begin with simple projects. It's a little terrifying (at least it was for me) at first, but after a couple projects you'll build some confidence👍 Happy to help if you have specific questions!
Awesome! Thank you for the tips, this does seem very daunting 😂 I realize I may break a few tools on starting, so I think probably a cheap set I can practice with is what I need first, then a good set for when I become confident enough! do you have a recommendation on what my first bit sets should be?
Ok gotcha. I get all of my bits from bitsbits.com. Full disclosure, I am an ambassador for them, but I was a customer first so that I could evaluate their tools without bias. With that said, if you buy from them I have a $10 off code (woodshopmike) that you can use at checkout. Here are the bits I use for inlay and cutting out small items. (You can use the .023" bit for all of an inlay if you want, it will just take longer for the entire toolpath to run. Use the largest bit you can for any given pattern so that your run time will be as short as possible.) .023" bit: bitsbits.com/product/fret-slot-cutting-cnc-bit/?campaign=.023endmill 1/16" bit: bitsbits.com/product/820-dnc062/ref/6240/?campaign=1%2F16%20downcut 1/8" bit:bitsbits.com/product/820-dnc125/ref/6240/?campaign=1%2F8%20downcut 1/4" bit:bitsbits.com/product/425-dnc250-down-cut/ref/6240/?campaign=1%2F4%20downcut They offer a few bit sets that would be suitable for sign making. Here's a link to those. bitsbits.com/product-category/cnc-bits/cnc-kits/ref/6240/?campaign=kits Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions though!
Glad I found your channel. I don't build guitars but the technique is interesting. I only have a very small work space but hope to fill it with as much CNC machine as will fit.
Glad you found it too! 👊 I don't build guitars too often these days, but it's what got me into working back in highschool. CNCs are pretty fun to tinker with. Have fun dude!
Could not resist mentioning how much I enjoy coping material on a diamond ring saw with a fine blade. A wet saw that cuts most hard material. Cuts in all directions, but It won't cut you. Grinds while it cuts, so no file. Fairly intricate shape in minutes.
Absolutely I'm happy to share that info! I run the spindle at 24,000 for small endmills like this. The feed rate is a blistering 8.5IPM and the plunge rate is at 3IMP. I have my DOC at .012" I've been thinking about doing a second CNC inlay video sharing how I setup to cut shell along with a few tricks to make the process easier. Would that be helpful? Also, this is the endmill I use for cutting fretslots and most of my shell inlay: bit.ly/3Ta0yW6 I'm an affiliate with Bits&Bits so if you need, you can use the code:woodshopmike for $10 off. Hope that helps!
Greetings, fantastic video. I'll subscribe and check out more. I process whole shell using glass and lap equipment. I use a lots of non standard materials for inlays on my guitars. Adding CnC to shop, so THANKS! Culpepper n Co. has lots of exotic inlay material.
Thank you for subbing and it's great to have you here! So glad you like the video, I used to mill down blanks from raw shell during my apprenticeship but man than can be a very time consuming process so mad respect that you're processing your own material!
You got it, hope the tips come in handy! 👍 Here's a link to the one I used: bitsbits.com/product/fret-slot-cutting-cnc-bit/ Depending on how much you plan on cutting pearl, you might want to check out this one since it's coated and will hold an edge longer: shrsl.com/3xzi8
Would it be possible to do an inlay in the body of a guitar that is already built? I have a large and precise cnc, so the machinery won’t be an issue. Thanks!
The only issues I see would be finding an xy starting point to get the inlay where I wanted it, a guitar obviously does not have any nice right angles. Also to get it perfect the first time so I don’t ruin the finish of the wood around the inlay
Yep you're exactly right! Once it's fixtured along the x or y axis, I would run a "test cut" that's set about 1/4” above the area you're wanting to do the inlay. The only word of caution is that with an acoustic modifications to the top will affect the tone. This is less significant in the upper bout though. Best of luck!
Here's a link to the one I used, it's a .023": bitsbits.com/product/fret-slot-cutting-cnc-bit/ If you hold off a day or so, I'll have a 10% off discount code you can use.
I didn't think I would ever want a CNC, but the more I see of them, the more I think having one would have benefited me with one of the projects I made in the past and would like to start making again.
Each part had to be cut separately with a scroll saw, then I would have to sand two pieces by hand so they matched in shape and size. Tedious work that would be made drastically easier if each piece was cut exactly the same size and shape with a CNC. That's precision that I can't achieve by cutting them with a scroll saw.
Other than the issue of matching my needs to any particular CNC, affording one would be my main issue.
Man for the longest time I never thought I'd want a CNC and was even kind of repulsed by the idea of people "not being real craftsmen". My opinion began to change when I spent a decent amount of time with a machinist running CNC mills and saw just how much work still goes into the entire process. They are very fun machines to have but definitely come at a cost.
Exactly the way I do it. Great work.
Thank you! 👊
This is such good information, and it’s fun to watch! Tell me, when you say you ‘open up the pocket,’ what are the steps you are following to do this? Are you running the same path again? I’m super curious! I’d also love any tips you have for a new cnc user!
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! To open up the pocket I went back to Vcarve and set an offset to make the pocket about .002" larger. If the inlay still doesn't fit, I repeat the process until I get the fit just right.
For a new CNC user the biggest thing is to just start running it and begin with simple projects. It's a little terrifying (at least it was for me) at first, but after a couple projects you'll build some confidence👍
Happy to help if you have specific questions!
Awesome! Thank you for the tips, this does seem very daunting 😂 I realize I may break a few tools on starting, so I think probably a cheap set I can practice with is what I need first, then a good set for when I become confident enough! do you have a recommendation on what my first bit sets should be?
@joyk1913 what kind of projects are you thinking to do? Mainly inlay and cutting out small/thin parts?
@@WoodshopMike yes, and maybe makihg some signs
Ok gotcha. I get all of my bits from bitsbits.com. Full disclosure, I am an ambassador for them, but I was a customer first so that I could evaluate their tools without bias. With that said, if you buy from them I have a $10 off code (woodshopmike) that you can use at checkout.
Here are the bits I use for inlay and cutting out small items. (You can use the .023" bit for all of an inlay if you want, it will just take longer for the entire toolpath to run. Use the largest bit you can for any given pattern so that your run time will be as short as possible.)
.023" bit: bitsbits.com/product/fret-slot-cutting-cnc-bit/?campaign=.023endmill
1/16" bit: bitsbits.com/product/820-dnc062/ref/6240/?campaign=1%2F16%20downcut
1/8" bit:bitsbits.com/product/820-dnc125/ref/6240/?campaign=1%2F8%20downcut
1/4" bit:bitsbits.com/product/425-dnc250-down-cut/ref/6240/?campaign=1%2F4%20downcut
They offer a few bit sets that would be suitable for sign making. Here's a link to those.
bitsbits.com/product-category/cnc-bits/cnc-kits/ref/6240/?campaign=kits
Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions though!
Glad I found your channel. I don't build guitars but the technique is interesting. I only have a very small work space but hope to fill it with as much CNC machine as will fit.
Glad you found it too! 👊 I don't build guitars too often these days, but it's what got me into working back in highschool. CNCs are pretty fun to tinker with. Have fun dude!
Could not resist mentioning how much I enjoy coping material on a diamond ring saw with a fine blade. A wet saw that cuts most hard material. Cuts in all directions, but It won't cut you. Grinds while it cuts, so no file. Fairly intricate shape in minutes.
I've never heard of that, sounds awesome though! Thanks! 😃
Would you be prepared to tell us the feedrate and depth of cut you use to cut the shell? (And spindle RPM if you would 🙂).
Thanks.
Absolutely I'm happy to share that info!
I run the spindle at 24,000 for small endmills like this. The feed rate is a blistering 8.5IPM and the plunge rate is at 3IMP. I have my DOC at .012"
I've been thinking about doing a second CNC inlay video sharing how I setup to cut shell along with a few tricks to make the process easier. Would that be helpful?
Also, this is the endmill I use for cutting fretslots and most of my shell inlay: bit.ly/3Ta0yW6 I'm an affiliate with Bits&Bits so if you need, you can use the code:woodshopmike for $10 off.
Hope that helps!
@@WoodshopMike Thank you! That is incredibly useful. I haven't found too many videos on making solid shell inlays, so I for one would be interested.
Glad to help! 👍👍
I would love to see a video on you CAD / CAM process for this logo
Thanks for the feedback! I'll do what I can to put something together. Is there something in particular you're interested in?
Me too!
Greetings, fantastic video. I'll subscribe and check out more. I process whole shell using glass and lap equipment. I use a lots of non standard materials for inlays on my guitars. Adding CnC to shop, so THANKS! Culpepper n Co. has lots of exotic inlay material.
Thank you for subbing and it's great to have you here! So glad you like the video, I used to mill down blanks from raw shell during my apprenticeship but man than can be a very time consuming process so mad respect that you're processing your own material!
Oh and thanks for the tip on culpepper n Co 👊👊
Let me be the firs to ask.. can you share a link to the bit you used? Thanks for the tips!
You got it, hope the tips come in handy! 👍
Here's a link to the one I used: bitsbits.com/product/fret-slot-cutting-cnc-bit/
Depending on how much you plan on cutting pearl, you might want to check out this one since it's coated and will hold an edge longer: shrsl.com/3xzi8
@@WoodshopMike Thank you!
Sure thing! 👍👊
Hello! I’m just getting started into making inlays on a cnc, and I was wondering what program do you use to create the tool paths?
That's awesome! I us V-Carve.
@@WoodshopMike Thank you so much!
What kind of cnc machine do I need for this?
You could get by with a desktop machine for small inlays like I did in this video👍
can i cut gold or silver with that bit?
It's a solid carbide bit, so I would imagine so. I'd imagine you'd want a bit of coolant, but it should handle metals.
Would it be possible to do an inlay in the body of a guitar that is already built? I have a large and precise cnc, so the machinery won’t be an issue. Thanks!
That could be done for sure! Acoustic or electric?
@@WoodshopMike acoustic. I’m getting a guitar for my gf for Christmas, and I think it would be really cool to customize it a little bit
The only issues I see would be finding an xy starting point to get the inlay where I wanted it, a guitar obviously does not have any nice right angles. Also to get it perfect the first time so I don’t ruin the finish of the wood around the inlay
Yep you're exactly right! Once it's fixtured along the x or y axis, I would run a "test cut" that's set about 1/4” above the area you're wanting to do the inlay. The only word of caution is that with an acoustic modifications to the top will affect the tone. This is less significant in the upper bout though. Best of luck!
@@WoodshopMike Thank you. I dont know much about guitars so i appreciate the info. What is the upper bout?
where did you get that bit, and what is the size?
Here's a link to the one I used, it's a .023": bitsbits.com/product/fret-slot-cutting-cnc-bit/
If you hold off a day or so, I'll have a 10% off discount code you can use.
@@WoodshopMike sure I can whit let me know.
Will do👊👊
Discount code is woodshopmike 👍👍