Post by ChrisK on Mar 16, 2007 19:17:39 GMT -5
Taking on the task of machine (routing or shaping) wood can be daunting, especially on a body or neck that is already finished.
Up until two years ago I had access to several milling machines that were ideal for this (Bridgeport, $thousands), but the auxiliary machine shop was not kept when the company moved to a modern "cube park".
As a result, I've been building up means for continuing to be able to do this. Much of the following came from The Home Depot or www.use-enco.com (800-use-enco).
The accuracy and repeatability required falls between carpentry and metal working. It's called cabinetry and accuracies in the neighborhood of few hundredths of an inch are adequate.
I started with a drill press such as this one with a rotating table, I used a heavy duty bench mounted unit with a chuck centerline to post spacing of 7 1/2" (a 15" press). This unit cost about $200.
(Note that the table can rotate around the centerline of the chuck, more later on why):
I added to it an XY table that has a longitudinal travel of 8" and a cross travel of 5". This unit weighs 36 pounds and cost $70.
With it I will use a vise such as these, which cost about $20 to $40:
To clamp things together (and big wood things to the table), I bought a T-nut clamping bolt set. This cost $32.
If you have/get a press without a rotating table, you can use swivel vises such as these (but the rotating press table is much better for large wood objects):
About $60
About $500
Why do I care that the table can rotate around the centerline of the chuck? Because with this feature I can machine OUTSIDE CURVES such as Tele control plates, body radii (curves), and large diameter circles.
You will also need (well, it's really nice to have) a complete 115 piece jobber drill index like this:
$30 to $200, I paid $56 for a TiN coated set.
End mills (bits, which cost about $5 to $10 each) will be of use. I use 1/8", 1/4"/ 3/8", and a set of 10 Forstner bits (which cut really nice clean holes up to 1" in diameter) which cost about $12 at Lowes.
Up until two years ago I had access to several milling machines that were ideal for this (Bridgeport, $thousands), but the auxiliary machine shop was not kept when the company moved to a modern "cube park".
As a result, I've been building up means for continuing to be able to do this. Much of the following came from The Home Depot or www.use-enco.com (800-use-enco).
The accuracy and repeatability required falls between carpentry and metal working. It's called cabinetry and accuracies in the neighborhood of few hundredths of an inch are adequate.
I started with a drill press such as this one with a rotating table, I used a heavy duty bench mounted unit with a chuck centerline to post spacing of 7 1/2" (a 15" press). This unit cost about $200.
(Note that the table can rotate around the centerline of the chuck, more later on why):
I added to it an XY table that has a longitudinal travel of 8" and a cross travel of 5". This unit weighs 36 pounds and cost $70.
With it I will use a vise such as these, which cost about $20 to $40:
To clamp things together (and big wood things to the table), I bought a T-nut clamping bolt set. This cost $32.
If you have/get a press without a rotating table, you can use swivel vises such as these (but the rotating press table is much better for large wood objects):
About $60
About $500
Why do I care that the table can rotate around the centerline of the chuck? Because with this feature I can machine OUTSIDE CURVES such as Tele control plates, body radii (curves), and large diameter circles.
You will also need (well, it's really nice to have) a complete 115 piece jobber drill index like this:
$30 to $200, I paid $56 for a TiN coated set.
End mills (bits, which cost about $5 to $10 each) will be of use. I use 1/8", 1/4"/ 3/8", and a set of 10 Forstner bits (which cut really nice clean holes up to 1" in diameter) which cost about $12 at Lowes.
In essence, would it not be more proper to say, "If you don't like something, don't look at it again"? 
Just don't get carried away, and remember to respect those who've been a day or two longer than yourself, and all will be well. 
