CNC Cutting

apdamron · #1 02-01-2013, 10:18 AM

Hey guys,
First off I just want to say I have zero experience in making guitars and that I respect the amount of time and knowledge needed to go about the craft. However, I am a skilled CNC Programmer, draftmen, 3-d Modeller, etc with pretty much any and every tool available at my disposal. Basically I am interested in designing/programming/cutting out components myself for a project.

I'm curious if there is blueprints out there to try and get a feel for generic shape and dimensions, body cavity sizes, spaces for electrical routing, and whatnot. I'm sure this will have it's share of headaches but again, I am doing this as a personal pet project so it is what it is, just trying to get pointed in the right direction.

I plan to do the body cutouts on a waterjet, probably multiple layers. Edge beveling and such can all be done on the machine so with an end product, I would pretty much just be sanding edges.

Any help whatsoever would be awesome.

thebassbuilder · #2 02-01-2013, 10:49 AM

PM me with your email and I will send you some stuff I have for a Jazz and P bass. Also how are you going to use a water jet on wood? You need to use a router bit cnc (or whatever you call them) But you sound like you know more about the machines then me.

F-Clef-Jef · #3 02-01-2013, 11:40 AM

I've got a pretty good library of solid models (mostly bodies), dxf's & what-not. I do solid modeling on Solidworks. I would think dxf's would be the most useful for a waterjet. PM me and I can also email you some files.
We also have a waterjet here that I intend to put to use someday, although I'm wondering if I'll have a large mess to clean up afterward. Have you done much wood cutting on your waterjet? Does it leave much debris behind (in the tank)?

iamlowsound · #4 02-01-2013, 02:47 PM

After you are done with the bass, you should CNC cut a Bill Fitzmaurice cab to go along with it.

lowsound

PJRL · #5 02-01-2013, 02:56 PM

Here's a thought, I wonder if we can 3-D print a wood body yet ?

apdamron · #6 02-01-2013, 04:02 PM

Thanks for the responses

thebassbuilder- PM sent waterjet works surprisingly well on wood, which i've only found out recently.

F-clef- PM sent as well, it doesn't leave much and it's definetly not as nasty to deal with asany HDPE/plastics that you cut. best to cut on 'waterjet brick' if you have it to keep the wood optimally dry

iamlowsound- what is a bill cab? I was looking at fearfuls...

don't know any about 3-d printing

HaMMerHeD · #7 02-01-2013, 04:08 PM

How do you keep the wood from taking up too much water?

apdamron · #8 02-01-2013, 04:21 PM

when you cut, the water level is down.

HaMMerHeD · #9 02-01-2013, 04:33 PM

Right...but does the water not come into contact with the wood while it's cutting? I know it's moving at high speed under high pressure, but I'm still not sure how it wouldn't soak water up.

I promise I'm not trying to shoot holes in it or be a dick, I'm genuinely curious about machining these things, and waterjet was something I hadn't thought of, because I wasn't sure how to keep the wood from getting wet.

Uncle Snake · #10 02-01-2013, 06:06 PM

The edges absorb a little moisture and you let them dry out. No problem. I program waterjets for a living.........

iamlowsound · #11 02-01-2013, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apdamron

Thanks for the responses

thebassbuilder- PM sent waterjet works surprisingly well on wood, which i've only found out recently.

F-clef- PM sent as well, it doesn't leave much and it's definetly not as nasty to deal with asany HDPE/plastics that you cut. best to cut on 'waterjet brick' if you have it to keep the wood optimally dry

iamlowsound- what is a bill cab? I was looking at fearfuls...

don't know any about 3-d printing

A Bill cab is to a fearful, as a Fedora is to a Fender. Google them, super compact, folded horn design.

lowsound