cnc machine

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tippie53
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Location: Hegins, Pa
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cnc machine

Post by tippie53 »

as you know I got one a while back. I am mastering the programing. I will pass on some info.
I have the next wave automation shark HD5.
what I liked
the software is complete and lots of tutorials.
Here is what you need that the don't tell you
spoil board ( mdf makes this easy )
Dust boot
the one they sell is junk found better ones on aliexpress
Dust collector
They use a ER11 collet
this limits your bit selection

You can get an 80 mm RF spinel for less 3 kw with ER 20 will give you more bit options

Water cooled spindle I use 3 1/2 gal distilled water 2 gt antifreeze

the t slots for this I found the economy ones with 1/4 20 thread is good

you need a spoil board bit

rockler support was ok but again there was too much left out of the equation . I also had to get the main controller replaced after less than a week.

In the end it is working and here is some of the end result I got the DFX files and learned to load and convert them. In the end I feel I got value for the investment.
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John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
jread
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Re: cnc machine

Post by jread »

if that is the one your halo templates are from, then its certified awesome. Looks like them.
MaineGeezer
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Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Re: cnc machine

Post by MaineGeezer »

You['ll have fun!

I see that some variety of Vectric VCarve comes with it. Do you know what the controller software is? (The software that takes the GCode output from VCarve and sends the appropriate pulses to the stepper motors to carry out the GCOde insructions. ) Mach4, perhaps?

I have a very early CNC that started out life as a SmartShark. Somebody gave ti to a friend of mine because it wasn't working. My friend replaced the control boards, got it working, wanted something better, and gave it to me on more or less permanent loan. It's still a bit flakey on occasion but it mostly works.

With small cutters (1/32" to 1/8") and slow feeds and speeds, it is possible to cut brass and aluminum. It take log time, but if you get curious you may want to try it. Clamp well!! The forces when cutting metal are much higher than with wood or plastic.
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
tippie53
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Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: cnc machine

Post by tippie53 »

it came with vectric Vcarve pro 10 that makes crv to tap files I did learn to do DFX to tap
aspire is on the way
I am happy with the software package
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Kevin Sjostrand
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Location: Visalia, CA

Re: cnc machine

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

I got a little CNC machine last January, mostly for engraving on my duck calls, which I have been doing.
It is a light weight machine, but with the right bit and g code it can do a lot of stuff. I haven't had much time to play with it, also has a laser.
I am hoping to use it to rout out a pocket for my headstock inlay on my next guitar.

I could also carve a bridge, probably do fret slots, fretboard inlays, etc, but the creating of the g code files takes some learnin!!! :)

Kevin
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rcnewcomb
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: cnc machine

Post by rcnewcomb »

John,
When I toured Martin last year I saw they had two small ShopBot CNCs in the custom area running Aspire that they were using for inlays.
ShobotsAtMartin.jpg


I'll be interested in seeing what you can do with the V-Carve inlay technique that Paul Zank invented. This is one of Paul's first pieces using the technique.
LionfishInlay.jpg
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- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
tippie53
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Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: cnc machine

Post by tippie53 »

still learning the programming. As a pearl cutter I want to do as much by hand as that to me is more art
the machine cut inlays are beautiful but they don't have that hand cut quality.

Translation
I didn't learn to program that yet
LOL
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
sylvan
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Re: cnc machine

Post by sylvan »

CNC inlay can look as good as any hand cut inlay. Just build in your drawing a few "rough" spots and it will look like it is hand carved!
Sylvan Wells
Wells Guitars
Bay State Guitars
http://www.wellsguitars.com
http://www.baystateguitars.com
Bob Gleason
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Re: cnc machine

Post by Bob Gleason »

Sylvan- Now there's a switch. Pretty easy to tell if the inlay on an instrument is CNC, so if it's too good I just move on to something more interesting. I'm just one of those dying out handmade junkies. Now you're saying that not so perfect inlay could be CNC too. I hope no one is doing that to simulate handmade. Hope you're doing well.-Bob
rcnewcomb
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Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
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Re: cnc machine

Post by rcnewcomb »

I hope no one is doing that to simulate handmade.
When I toured Santa Cruz Guitars a few years ago I asked Richard Hoover about the inlays. They tried designing and cutting them on the CNC. But since they were perfectly symetrical they felt too mechanical. So they cut some by hand and then scanned them to be used as the templates for the CNC cutting the inlay pieces and slots. That gave them the organic feel of hand-cut inlays with the speed and repeatability of machines.
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
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