Inlay pantograph

[mirwa]

Okay that makes sense, laminated blanks are made up of super thin sheets and glue.

Possibly the glue factor allows better penetration

Actually a bit of a bummer, would have been great to be able to use the laser at my end to do the job.

The router works great, just takes time

Steve

[LouieAtienza]

Originally Posted by mirwa

Okay that makes sense, laminated blanks are made up of super thin sheets and glue.

Possibly the glue factor allows better penetration

Actually a bit of a bummer, would have been great to be able to use the laser at my end to do the job.

The router works great, just takes time

Steve

I think just the fact that it's like cutting a stack of thin stock makes it easier; the glue should just basically vaporize.

What parameters are you using with your CNC router? I just finished setting up a CNC mini-mill with a high speed water-cooled spindle for doing stuff just like this.

[mirwa]

A lot depends on the ridgity of your machine and the smoothness of its moves

With a 0.5mm end mill Basically I do 10" a pass, at a speed of 300mm/min at 24000rpm

But that is my machine, all machines need to be tested and adjusted to suit.

Here is a supplier of nice cutters specifically made for shell

http://www.precisebits.com/products/...bits/shell.asp

Steve

[LouieAtienza]

Originally Posted by mirwa

A lot depends on the ridgity of your machine and the smoothness of its moves

With a 0.5mm end mill Basically I do 10" a pass, at a speed of 300mm/min at 24000rpm

But that is my machine, all machines need to be tested and adjusted to suit.

Here is a supplier of nice cutters specifically made for shell

http://www.precisebits.com/products/...bits/shell.asp

Steve

It is a mini-mill, custom cast to my specs, using HiWin profile linear rail precision grade and precision ground 4mm lead ball screws, with a 3kW water cooled spindle capable of 24krpm. The work area is about 14" x 6" x 8" and weight about 250lbs. Set up now with high-voltage high-performance Parker Hannafin steppers and drives, but have Teknic servos waiting in the wings. Also finishing up my DIY vacuum system, and rotary axis as well. I'd say sturdy enough!

I buy bits and ER collets for my DIY CNC router from Ron Reed at PreciseBits. Very knowledgeable guy, but never thought of getting bits for shell there! Thanks for the info.

[difalkner]

Since building this I have discovered that the runout of the chuck on the flex shaft is too great to do clean work, so I have modified it to take the Dremel directly. Also, I added a micro adjustment at the stylus. 1/4 turn of the adjustment equates to 0.004" depth of cut change at the bit (on the 4:1 reduction, that is).

[mirwa]

Nicely done

[difalkner]

Originally Posted by mirwa

Nicely done

Thanks! Fun to design and build, for sure.

[mirwa]

There are a lot of DIYers on this forum, and I reckon if you ever took the time to photo the build, others would make one as well.

Not to minimise your efforts in any way, but in the commercial field we use duplicators, this is my one



Steve

[difalkner]

Who makes that one, Steve?

[mirwa]

Radar carve

[Ned Milburn]

Have any of you had the chance to work with water cutters?? A brother of mine has offered to make his machines available to me if I choose to use them... Wonder how they'd compare to a mill tip or laser for certain inlay operations...

[KingCavalier]

David Myka shows his version here

http://www.mykaguitars.com/tools/carver/default.htm

[difalkner]

The duplicators are great when you're doing things like that violin or larger pieces but for delicate inlay I want a pantograph with 4:1 reduction. Much easier to trace out a pattern that is 4 times larger than the target cutting path, at least I think it is. Anyway, fun little project that works very good.

[Tom West]

Anyone else not see the picture in the original post??? Guess I'm not paying my dues around here or the powers to be are trying to bend my mind............!!
Tom

[difalkner]

Originally Posted by Tom West

Anyone else not see the picture in the original post??? Guess I'm not paying my dues around here or the powers to be are trying to bend my mind............!!
Tom

It's a YouTube video but I can post it again - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7e4wLLkFO4)