Can you use a CHEAP CNC ROUTER for GUITAR BUILDING?

I've always wanted to see if I can use a cheap small CNC router to do some custom guitar work. The CNC router I chose for this test is the FoxAlien Master Pro, which has rugged all aluminum construction, a 15.7"'x15.75" work area (with extension kit coming soon), accepts a Makita router, and comes in at less than $650. For more information, or to make a purchase, check out the links below:

*Prices mentioned in this video are subject to change without notice, please check the links for current pricing.

Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate and FoxAlien affiliate, and the links in this description are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, it doesn't cost you any more money, but I will earn a commission. I would like to thank FoxAlien for sending me this machine for testing and evaluation purposes.

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[whybag]

You don't have to bandsaw the blank ahead of time. You can set a work coordinate system based on dowels or similar, mirrored along the centerline. Mill corresponding dowel holes in your spoil board, so you can work on the front and back from the same setup. Place the blank on the dowels, clamp down, run the back routing and a bit down the profile of the body. Flip it over on the same dowels, do the front and the rest of the profile leaving tabs to hold it.

[Fab]

I work as a cnc programmer and my advice is that you should not settle for these slow processes. I understand that hobby machines are not as fast as the professional ones, but as you gain experience your processes will get better. I’m waiting for your next video, because I’ve been thinking about getting a cnc router for making guitars at home, but all I could find were very expensive, but yours looks promising

[DavidRavenMoon]

Here’s a tip about using templates for pickups, especially Jazz bass pickups.

You really can’t use a 1 to 1 template. The people that sell actual size templates are doing it wrong.

The problem lies in the fact that the corners of the pickup have a very small radius, generally around 1/8” or 3/16”. You would need a pattern bit that same diameter. But they don’t exist. If you use the smallest pattern bit (top bearing), it’s generally going to be 1/2” in diameter. That means the smallest corner diameter you can cut is 1/2”. Then you have to go in with a Dremel or something. That’s a pain.

Even StewMac does it wrong by requiring you to drill corner holes first.

The proper way to do this is with a router baseplate that has a guide bushing collar. The way this works is you make your template over sized by adding an offset.

To figure the offset, measure the outside diameter (OD) of the guide bushing tube and subtract the diameter of the bit. Next, divide this figure by 2 to determine the offset.

For example, say you need an 1/8” bit for the corners… you would use a 1/8” straight bit. subtract the 1⁄8 " bit diameter from the bushing's 1⁄4 " OD. You get 1⁄8". Now divide this number by two and you arrive at a 1⁄16" offset.

You might also use a 1/2” collar bushing. Just adjust the calculation.

This way you’re using the proper size bit, but the guide bushing has a larger diameter. So the template is made bigger all around. Now it’s easy to get into the corners.

I’ve been a luthier for 45 years and I’m always surprised no one does it this way. It’s common knowledge in the general woodworking trade.

I have templates that fit over my bodies with all the pickup openings. Also control holes and neck pockets. It’s impossible to make a mistake.

Making those patterns by hand was a chore! A CNC would be a godsend. I still don’t have one. 😁

Also your necks shouldn’t be that tight that you have to make an effort to press it in. When you get finish on it you can crack the wood.

[martinheath]

Awesome 😊 Looks like you're well on the way to optimising your workflow! Bless you and many thanks for keeping your personal journey so informative and insightful for all of us👍

[driverbass]

Can't wait for the full review!!!
How great that you have been able to invest the time to help you get more time with the family!!! In the 90's I did a bunch of pantograph with and without computer interface engraving on different platforms and loved it! I never got to run laser engraving but still something I'd love to check out. I took a few machining courses in college and was very interested in CNC. After landing in cabinet shops started a little bit of training on point to point and full panel CNCs. Then moved onto CAD in the woodworking industry until my injury. Have always been fascinated with these machines! It will be great to see if these will be an option for me to tinker with! Thanks so much Dan!!! Enjoy your emerging FTM (Family Time Maker) development and appreciate your sharing with us!!!

[brandonrhodes]

Wow! This video answered basically every question I’ve had about integrating a small cnc into my shop that I’ve had. I want one for the exact same reasons you got it for. While routing by hand isn’t particularly time consuming it has a tendency to suck! Any small error can have large implications that need fixing and possible redesign. Eliminating that possibility of error can really speed up the whole process in the long run. I bet this thing pays itself off in 10 guitars or less just in the time it saves. It would be great if in the future you do a video walking through all the things you needed to do to get this thing set up and working right to help others just starting out so we don’t have to go through the same possibly lengthily trial and error process. Love you videos man! Always inspiring!

[lobitome]

My CNC is just for making templates. It's a pain that it takes "forever", but the time saved after the templates is done, is worth it.

[jessehoward]

Absolutely love seeing you learn brother, only hope I have helped answer some of your questions.

[RubyRoks]

Interesting that you put this video out when you did. I'm in the process of designing my own picks to machine on my dad's new CNC router, so seeing a video from someone i already watch regarding cost effective CNC is neat :)

[raine]

I'd love to learn more about this, looking forward to future videos

[michaelnicholas]

Great video and timing as well, I've been on the fence as far as getting a CNC for the same projects. Thanks!

[jayoua]

I Have made guitars by hand router and my own templates for about three years even sold a few guitars.
I have been thinking of going on the same adventure with CNC and have experience with graphic design software.
The speed of cutting the body really never bothered me as much as constancy and accuracy being more of the reason.
Its been my experience the better luthiers are in it for the love of creating a beautiful instrument that people will enjoy and learn from for years to come.
Its a bonus to have free hands while your assistant helps.
Thank you for posting the videos of your adventure the information has been helping me shape some of my own ideas and possibly the future.

[manfredworner]

Just what I was looking for
Thanks 😊

[foxalien_official]

Thanks for sharing, Dan. This video is really awesome. I will share this video to our FB community. Can't wait for watching your full review. Thumbs up!!!👍👍👍

[mryddet]

Love the video! I just purchased a sienci longmill mostly for cabinet making, and my brother suggested I could make guitar blanks. Cool to see it happen!

[vividcolourfilms]

THIS is the video i've been looking for. I just bought a Masuter Pro and upgraded the spindle to a makita router. I am currently learning and hoping to build my own guitar body soon.

[dustinmullings]

Man thank you for doing this video! I've been eye balling this unit for a month now trying to determine if it could handle the body designs I have in mind. 😂just finished my 2nd full build. 1st was a weird custom neck-through design. Kind of like a cross between an Explorer and a Steinberger. Longer skinny bottom forward horn, with recessed ass-end like modern headless like the Steinbergers. My second is a bolt-on mad melding of a Jackson Warrior and an Ibanez Xyphos. It's amazing how much work goes into building these things by hand. So, as much as I've enjoyed building them like this, I look forward to getting a cnc set up. Especially for the routing! Lol Anyway, looks like it'll handle small production runs just fine. I'm happy to see that. Looks like my wife is going to be mad at me soon! Because I am getting one of these asap! Haha. And I'm stoked about it! Thanks again!

[jameslewis]

I think what is said here is completely correct. This kind of machine is very much an item that requires skill to program correctly. As such expecting great results from the word go is unrealistic but once you have the skills down, you can definately reduce the amount of work you need to do and free yourself up to do other work. For a business that has a bunch of orders having multiple router setups would probably be a good way of speeding up production of a standard body shape without expanding the workforce. Now, if you could program one to make necks...

[mrfatbobrider]

Cool stuff Dan, those bodies are looking good...

[doug]

You're awesome Dan! I love your channel! Love your videos! Keep em' coming! Subscribed with the bell!