I don't have a mill but I did make my own template for the 25.340 scale for my twelve fret guitars. Since I was making at least two of them. Nicely done Kevin!
When I started to attempt to build guitars a few years back I made a conscious decision (after seeing the ridiculous prices of the luthier supply houses) to try to make as many tools as possible.the first big purchase was a mini mill , one of my favourite tools in the shop I only wish I had more travel on my x ..
Your comment is interesting!. I bought the particular mill that I have because it had more X travel than others in that price range. I regret that I couldn't afford a full size knee mill of good quality. While the mill I have is adequate (if you're liberal with that definition) its also a dance partner and requires constant monitoring to maintain acceptable accuracy.
I have a friend with a rapid prototyping business. He has 5 or so 3D printers running all the time. He also has a large bed glowforge laser cutter that he used to cut plastic templates for ukulele fretboards. 13”, 15” and 17” scale length. These were quite inexpensive. I made a drawing and picked up the parts the next day. I am sure the aluminum ones will be more durable. But I just use the plastic ones to make pencil ticks on the wooden fretboards before I cut slots using my miter box. And my lifetime goal is only 20 ukuleles so plastic will do.
I use templates milled in acrylic or polycarbonate and prefer them. Those in the video were done in aluminum at the customer's request. My oldest polymer templates have benign use for twenty years and show no signs of wear. Ironically, the aluminum is cheaper than the acrylic.
Are you going to rename the company, "La Due Guitars and Luthiery Tools" or will you incorporate as wholly owned subsidiary? You could become the biggest luthiery conglomerate in Triangle! Interesting to see the process. Thanks for sharing.
I've thought about it, but with all of the corporate charters, decisions about forming LLC's, LLP's, where to register my subsidiaries: then there's the stock offerings; shareholders to please to say nothing of The Securities And Exchange Commission. I think I'll just run my shop. Just knowing which end mills and bandsaw blades to buy is confusing enough:)
I converted mine to left handed by reversing the Gungulator shaft, installing a Hoyt-Clagwell back gear limiter along with a Stillwell quill reversing anti-confabulator. But mostly. I learned operate the quill lever with my right hand and view the DRO on my left:)
Sweet set up! Love the milling machine. Great video Kevin.
I don't have a mill but I did make my own template for the 25.340 scale for my twelve fret guitars. Since I was making at least two of them. Nicely done Kevin!
When I started to attempt to build guitars a few years back I made a conscious decision (after seeing the ridiculous prices of the luthier supply houses) to try to make as many tools as possible.the first big purchase was a mini mill , one of my favourite tools in the shop I only wish I had more travel on my x ..
Your comment is interesting!. I bought the particular mill that I have because it had more X travel than others in that price range. I regret that I couldn't afford a full size knee mill of good quality. While the mill I have is adequate (if you're liberal with that definition) its also a dance partner and requires constant monitoring to maintain acceptable accuracy.
I have a friend with a rapid prototyping business. He has 5 or so 3D printers running all the time. He also has a large bed glowforge laser cutter that he used to cut plastic templates for ukulele fretboards. 13”, 15” and 17” scale length. These were quite inexpensive. I made a drawing and picked up the parts the next day.
I am sure the aluminum ones will be more durable. But I just use the plastic ones to make pencil ticks on the wooden fretboards before I cut slots using my miter box. And my lifetime goal is only 20 ukuleles so plastic will do.
I use templates milled in acrylic or polycarbonate and prefer them. Those in the video were done in aluminum at the customer's request. My oldest polymer templates have benign use for twenty years and show no signs of wear. Ironically, the aluminum is cheaper than the acrylic.
Are you going to rename the company, "La Due Guitars and Luthiery Tools" or will you incorporate as wholly owned subsidiary? You could become the biggest luthiery conglomerate in Triangle! Interesting to see the process. Thanks for sharing.
I've thought about it, but with all of the corporate charters, decisions about forming LLC's, LLP's, where to register my subsidiaries: then there's the stock offerings; shareholders to please to say nothing of The Securities And Exchange Commission. I think I'll just run my shop. Just knowing which end mills and bandsaw blades to buy is confusing enough:)
....strong work...!! If only there were templates....for everything.
I do have templates for nearly everything, but as you may observe, my template for shaving in the morning is not good at all.:)
! I'm definitely interested in a Tool like this; problem is, i need a lefty One
I converted mine to left handed by reversing the Gungulator shaft, installing a Hoyt-Clagwell back gear limiter along with a Stillwell quill reversing anti-confabulator. But mostly. I learned operate the quill lever with my right hand and view the DRO on my left:)