CNC carving a violin out of olive wood with the Shapeoko XXL

Final versions for sale through my website:

This video shows the process of building a violin out of olive wood and spring green-colored epoxy resin using the Shapeoko XXL CNC router and other modern as well as traditional wood working techniques.

Software used:
- Meshmixer to create the 3D violin model
- Vectric VCarve to generate the tool paths
- UGS Platform to send the Gcode to the CNC

Materials used:
- Olive wood (Etsy store: "OliveWoodSupply" in Turkey)
- Ebony fingerboard, nut, and tail gut saddle blanks hardware blanks (StewMac)
- Strings and Supreme Tamarind Violin Fittings Set with Ebony Trim (Fiddlershop)
- 3/4 inch HDPE for the mold panels ("Small Parts" Amazon)
- Crystal Clear and Floral epoxy resin (from the Epoxy Resin Store)
- Pearl Ex Spring Green Mica powder
- 1 inch surfacing bit: Whiteside #6210
- 1/4 end mill: Amana Tool #46577-K
- 1/8 end mill: Amana Tool #46299
- 1/4 down-cut bit: Whiteside #RD2100
- Straight 1/4 ball nose bit: Amana Tool #46294
- Straight 1/8 ball nose bit: Amana Tool #46295
- Conical 1/16 ball nose bit: Amana Tool #46281

Referenced video of the Lock & Key technique for 4-sided CNC: "Lock & Key technique for 4-sided CNC - Carving a Greek column"

[James-ggld]

I think it important to keep in mind the original premise as stated by Dennis at the beginning of the video. He wants to break with traditional violin crafting methods and craft a violin with a CNC. He also acknowledges the traditional woods that the masters used in their violins but, again, breaking with tradition using olivewood. At the very least Dennis has crafted four beautiful pieces of art that would grace any home or office and what a conversation starter! Watching the care Dennis takes with the string components [fingerboard et al] I find it hard to believe the sound will be 'horrid', but certainly as good as, at the very least, as a mass produced student violin, hopefully better. Remember, Dennis never stated that his quest was to produce an instrument rivaling the sound of the masters. What I think would be interesting would be to compare the sound of the four. I say well done, Dennis! You are to be congratulated for your CNC and hand crafting skills.

[doftwins]

I would really like to hear this violin played by a professional violinist and hearing his opinion about the tone, feel, performance and the overall look of this violin.

[stoker]

I made my living for the last 50 years making sawdust and woodchips and I couldn't be more impressed with what he has done in his little shed.

[chrisgenovese]

I don't have a cnc, and I don't make violins, yet I was spellbound the whole video. Top notch my man!

[askamberanchor]

Actually.... Those 4 notes at the end sound VERY PROMISING!!! ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENT!

[intsccents]

Wow that was a spectacular use of a cnc router.. L.A Rob

[jcortese]

I'm a classical musician (piano, harp, and flute), and I'm a firm believer that instruments are technology and should be tinkered with for the sheer fun of it from time to time. These are wonderful and fun, and I would seriously buy an acoustic one if you were to put them up for sale, just out of curiosity and to support people who explore new materials and methods of construction. The only thing that made me cringe was the permanent wood glue. Definitely consider hide glue in the future so that these instruments can be opened up in the future if need be.

[aoiahiru]

And the award for the most beautiful VSO goes to...!!

[Berkana]

Although I am not a violin maker, my dad was, and I learned a lot from him, and even with the background of having observed a violin maker growing up, I am impressed by what CNC can do. I think the integrated bass bar is brilliant. Also, CNC-cutting the scroll is brilliant as well. The scroll is incredibly skill-intensive to carve properly. The idea that a CNC machine could give you a nice scroll without that kind of difficulty is fantastic. I am persuaded that there's no good reason a CNC'ed violin can't be just as good as an old fashioned hand-carved violin.

I also learned a tremendous amount from this video about CNC wood carving methods. Thanks for making this video.

[paulhammer]

Wow that's a beautiful violin! The olive wood is stunning, the craftsmanship looks excellent! Now the question on everyone's mind is: how does it sound? Please post a video of an experienced player demonstrating it, thanks!

[alyakritikanzer]

Amazing! The joy of creation was palpable!

[rvierra]

I am not into violins per se....but woods, as I always look up woodworking videos, thus, that is likely how your video hit me. The wood is striking. This is absolutely the most beautiful violin I have ever seen, I am not one for heavy stain and would much rather see the beauty of the wood and it's grain. Thank you for posting.

[walshy]

This may be the coolest video I've ever seen! Please make some and sell them. I'll buy one!

[usurpinesusanti]

When i was very young i choosed to study music. But because i had serious problems with carpal tunnel syndrom i had to stop playing music instruments so i switched to study mechanical engineering and many decades i designed cnc machines (very big ones) and other machines which where mostly build with any kind of cnc machines, but never build any music instrument. Now i am old and i love to see how you created a beautiful cnc version of a kind of traditional instrument and i really love to see that. It really touches me, loved to watch your building process. Good work !

[Edgy]

Thank God for the internet for sourcing and getting material from all over the world quite easily. Excellent work. Thank you for the education on mold release products. Something tells me that you have learned a lot off past projects, as you have your coordinate references and the dust shields working for you. You are a true maestro. I have one special wish—to bring Antonius forward 400 years for 30 minutes to be able to see how you made this beautiful instrument. Not only are you a fine instrument craftsman, but your video work was very very good. Did you appreciate the smell of olives when you cut the olive wood? That’s one of the special treats when working in olive wood. I wish my friend Jack Benny were still alive to try out that instrument!

[chsc]

Amazing! Stradivarius writhed for joy in his tomb.

[ClintonCaraway-CNC]

I was COMPELLED to send Dennis a PM.
This makes flags, signs, cabinet and furniture parts seem like I've been whittling with a dull pocket knife.
This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

[lasersight]

Hello! so first off, as a violinist (non professional) and carpenter, I love that you are bringing a modern edge to this craft. A few things I noticed/information that may be helpful to you in future instruments.
The ribs being milled from a single piece instead of bent into shape may affect the tone. (won't know if its good or bad until we see an expert play it!)
you didn't clamp the neck. I understand the clamping issue, but without any clamping force, the glue may not have set properly, there could be small air pockets, or it could potentially just be a weak joint. on the next one, you could use some string or rope to bind it while the glue cures.
you used Deft brushing lacquer for your finish. It's a great product, but its technically a lacquer, not a varnish. It's solvent based, and is effectively cured in 2 hours.
I'm sure there are alternatives for animal hide glue, but every good violin will need to be taken apart at some point in its life for repairs.
Last, but likely not least, I noticed that you have no purfling. (those thin black lines on the edge of a wooden violin) while it is there for aesthetics, it's also there to prevent cracks traveling from the edge through the body.
Other than all of that, I think you made a beautiful instrument, and I'm excited to see a professional play it some day!

[i_never_asked_for_an_alias]

This is a perfect example of symbiosis between craftsmanship and technology. Well done.

[donjaved]

I am a indian classical musician coming from generations of musicians & film composers in my family, we have lots of traditions so before my uncle's nobody learnt western music and we learnt it too so breaking tradition is a good thing it helps to learn new things, this violin is a beautiful sounding instrument and would be excellent when a master plays it