Building guitars since 2000, just got a shapeoko last month. Running the machine is one thing, but drawing the darn files, woooo thats a learning curve.
Hey dan, I have three CNC routers in the shop, I'm a huge fan of the Gerber saber 404 and 408 routers, I actually think the 404 routers are a bit better and tighter machines but the 408 is quite useful for bigger projects... The best spindle we found that doesn't cost too much is the rattm 2.2 KW air-cooled 400 HZ 24000 RPM spindle. Even with heavy use we get a couple years out of them in a production setting before needing to replace them and we push them very hard, you probably would get much more life out of them than we do. The available pillow block style 100 mm router mounts work quite well and are easy to machine and adapt to any CNC router and I've done it several, the big advantage is that you could actually switch that spindle out in the middle of a job if you have, I recently had to do that and we saved a huge 7 hour run of parts with no trouble at all...
Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been up in the air on getting a foxalien or one of these! I’ve also been wanting to build my own guitars, custom mechanical clocks, and other niche items. I just need a way to find a way to get my creativity out with large projects throughout my workday.
Oh man. Just got excited when you started saying best CNC for under 2K. So I started to do the conversion to USD and then you said the magic words. Canadian made. I live in Calgary and am very interested in this unit. For guitars and a great many other things. Thanks for this video. It just made my day.
About to buy the beginners kit of the 48x30 CNC. Not knowing anything about CNC but hoping to quickly learn. Your video seems honest and informative and what I’m looking for to advance my skillset. Might just use it to make wavy flags but maybe some cut down on future wood builds by having it make them
This was a FANTASTIC and refreshingly honest review video. If you or any of your viewers that have a good CNC want to help me make my own guitar bodies (that don't require a bunch of 3D shaping), please let me know. I've made about 37 of my own style but I'd love to see the accuracy improve.
Great machine! Re the router burning up, I added a "Super-PID router speed controller" to mine. It was easy enough to install and you can then run the router at lower speeds, with more torque too. Router runs cooler and quieter. Because you can get lower speeds and more torque you can use something like a 1.5 inch diameter router bit for flattening slabs. I also love the display on it, you can set an exact RPM on the display and know which RPM you use for which jobs which helps so much in production situations.
Hey Dan, thanks for the update for your LM! I’m enjoying my 30x30. It was you who got me going for my LM. I learned some important maintenance and tuning things long after setting it up initially. Great machine, and yes the F360 is sometimes like driving an alien space craft by a mere mortal like me…. I might end up carving with Vetric Vcarve and other simple pockets/inlays with easier software. I enjoy your content bro!
Thanks man! Glad you love your machine too! Yeah I think I might break down and buy a PC so I can try some other more user friendly softwares (using a Mac is limiting in the cnc world)
@@GunsandGuitars I recently got a free version of VMWare Fusion (finally some competition to Parallels) and can run Windows 11 64bit Arm. With that running VCarve Pro trial. I'll give it a while to see if I like it.
@@GunsandGuitars Tinkercad is a very easy to learn softwear that's just on a web browser. i use it for modeling 3d prints but im sure it would work with what your doing.
Had this machine on my radar for a while, always good to see more satisfied customers for things I'm planning to buy. Hopefully by February I'll have all the funds together or at least close enough that I can run some specials on my website to boost it to enough.
With Sienci Labs now introducing their new AltMill, those who are wanting to move up to a faster, more rigid CNC will be selling their MK1 and MK2 models... so you should be able to pick up a used machine for a decent saving.
Nice... first time finding this channel.... freaking love the channel name!!! Built our CNC plasma years ago. Under 2k is a really good price for a machine like that
I love that this machine is non-square. So much more logical than just about everything else...who is making all these stop signs or I don't know what else is SQUARE.
I've had my Longmill MK1 for a few years now and love it so much that I have ordered an AltMill to replace it. The AltMill is much faster and more rigid and has the 4' X 4' bed that I'm going to find so much better than the 30" X 30" working bed on my MK1.
As always a great informative video Gunns.. Hope all is well in your new home… I’ve just moved after staying in the home we lived in for 15yrs … ✌️😎👍 can’t wait to see how the community build and how it’s coming together… Have a blessed day 💜
Long time no hear from, Brad! Great video, too!! Do I see myself buying a CNC in the near future? No, frankly, I don't. I love getting a kit and taking off from there! Been busy in the SE part of the state building my 2nd Telecaster, but I did use the tried and true manual tools to alter the body shape. Otherwise, hope you n yours are doing fine! Again, thanks for the new video; it was great!!
Thanks man! Yeah I haven’t built a kit in a while, and I’m getting the urge. I’ve got a few laying around that need to but put together so maybe I’ll get on that sooner than later!
Website says you need a "good table size" of 6'6"... What's the actual outside measurements? 7:11 you say 52" but is that work area within the rails or the size of the table you'd need for the whole machine?
I don't think I've ever seen a one-piece bass or guitar where the neck is the same block of wood. Not sure I'd call that neck-through. Excited to get my altmill in the next month or so
That's really a great machine and a neck through bass will be so cool. I'm pretty sure I could find a use for one in my acoustic builds. I suspect they'd be great for making necks. And happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
That machine is surely a good value for the buck. It addresses rigidity well for the money but it doesn't compare with a Laguna Swift or Axiom CNC. Granjted they may cost 10 times more but if it is being used to make money, they will make more. The Longmill is the best starter CNC out there but still it is a starter, perhaps the only starter worth buying. You are good with that machine, you could be better with a commercial machine. with less work. I am curious how much chatter you get with that machine. The bigger the machine, the more rigid it must be. Rigidity is the key to smooth and accurate cuts.
I’m intimidated by the wiring/electronics part of building guitars. I have a Onefinity Elite Foreman (48x48) on order and it won’t arrive until sometime in January. The 2.2kw water cooled spindle will be arriving first. I’ll be looking for videos on electric guitar wiring.
I’m running a 32x32 Milll Right but now I want this. I’m assuming you can run larger jobs by feeding material out the back. About speed. I don’t care because I can walk away and the machine keeps working. :)
Hi.. how is that cheap router spindle holding up ? I mean you have built quite som guitars with it, how do you think it compare to a Makita or DeWalt ? Maybe the branded more expensive ones are more stable ?
I do a lot of flattening with mine also because I don’t have any of the belt sanders that people have. What kind of bit do you use to flatten? I have a large flattening bit but I haven’t used it yet. I’m kind of afraid to use it and my Quarter flat bit seems to work fine it just takes forever. I often go for a walk with the dog when I come back it’s almost done. Is there a better way to flatten?
Рік тому
looks like a great machine. Looking forward to that one piece bass
An excellent video keep up the good work. You mentioned you were waiting on items to finish the dust shoe. Is it possible to list the type of dust collector and shoe connected to your router. It appears to be the most compact and well designed attachment we've seen.
I put a link in the description to the dust boot they sell that’s made for the Longmill. It’s definitely the best designed dust boot I’ve used. My dust collection setup is just a standard 4” 1hp dust collector. The parts I was waiting on were additional hoses, blast gates, and adapters to use 2” hose with my 4” collector.
i learned fusion 360 and vectric aspire but i prefer vectric since it is so easy. i outgrew easel in a month because of the severe limitations it has. also, your bit is sticking out too much, it can cause it to break off and hit someone. i set my bit as short as possible , i push the bit to the end in the collet and then pull it out by a little amount so the bit wont be offset.
If I was going to get into the cnc for building guitars I'd have probably have atleast 3 or 4 that way I'd be able to do the body , neck , fretboard and maybe even inlays ect
I am a CNC mill operator in a glass fab facility. I work on a Bavaloni 330 with a 10 x 14 foot table. I mill glass up to 1/2 inch thickness. At home I have a nearly but never complete woodworking shop. I've been shopping CNC mills for months and so far this one looks like the best deal around for it's size and capabilities. I'm interested to know what CAD and CAM programs it works with.
It works with any grbl based software, and probably more. I use easel and I’m trying to learn fusion360, but tons of people are using v-carve, vetric, rhino, etc.
That’s a killer deal! I’ve never seen the Bauer router below $79, but for $40 that’s a no brained. Plus you can add the protection plan and swap it out same day if you need it replaced
Hey Dan! hows it going. I bought the longmill Mk 2 a fewmonths ago based on this video. I'm at the point with it now where I'm production milling 3d files and am looking at moving to a spindle for larger bits and cleaner cuts. Was wondering your thoughts on this and how youre doing with your trim router still. Thanks!
I want a 4’ x 2’ Cnc It would take up less space but still work for neck throughs. But I bought the one I have so unless I have money for a Cnc and divorce, I’ll have to stick with what I have. For now.
If you're intrested I can program some example guitars in Fusion 360 for you, Kind of give a template on how to do contours and smoothing with the software, It would be my pleasure.
Hey Dan, I've been following your channel for a few years now and respect your work and opinion so as I consider entering the world of cnc for guitar building I wanted to ask you what CAD/CAM software you're using with the mk2 to design and build your guitars? Also wanted to ask how difficult you found it to learn? This is brand new territory for me so need something that won't have a terribly steep learning curve. Thanks Dan
Just buy a water cooled cnc spindle from Vevor and ditch the router if you plan on cutting faster. Also the problem isn't the size of the table but the size of your shop. Buy what you want the first time and dont spend thousands more trying to upgrade unless you are making money hand over fist. It's a waste of time. People usually buy this stuff and then struggle trying to figure out what to use it for. I see people ditching them on a weekly basis because they dont want to put in the work learning what they can do. You have all the time in the world to learn cnc before you even buy one, just watching youtube and downloading the software. The same goes for 3D printing. You do not have to spend money to get 3D modeling software just to test 3D printing. Whatever you learn also applies to Plasma cutting tables.
Thanks for the comment recommending a brand. I'm shopping around and it's nice to be able to look everything I might need up and price it out before making a decision.
Haha yeah I’m still using easel. It gets the job done. I still want to learn a different CAD/CAM software, but it’s low on the priorities. Even with easels limitations, I can smooth out the difference faster and easier by hand than if I did more complex programming with tool changes, etc, so I’m happy with it for now. My dust collector is an old 80’s 1hp central machine dust collector I found on marketplace for $20. It works way better than I expected, much better than a shop vac.
They are just longer end mills. I think I put links to them in the description. One is 1/4” and uses the standard 1/4” collet, but the larger one is a 3/8” and it required using the 3/8” collet adapter. The avid router came with it, but if you’re using a Makita you can get it separately. The 3/8” endmill clears out pockets so much faster and there’s less deflection so you can run the machine a bit harder.
It would be an upgrade in some ways, but mostly I’d consider the Longmill better. Especially because of the community. I’m a part of other cnc groups including shapoko and the Longmill community is more active and more helpful.
I am starting to do work on guitars and aspire to build once I sharpen my skills, would you recommend saving up for one of these or do you still recommend the masuter? I see them going for 320 rn on amazon and that is honestly low enough I'm considering doing that pretty immediately
I love fox alien, and I will likely be working with them more in the future. But I will say this: when I was using the Masuter pro, I was longing for a bigger faster stronger machine. When I’m using the Longmill, I don’t. If it’s an option, I’d save for a Longmill.
I got rid of my masuter pro, for a Longmill 30 30. Wish I had bought the Longmill from the start. FA arrived with defects, developed defects and struggled with everything.
I was also thinking about your CAD/Fusion 360 comment. We use Vectric Cut2D for design. Despite the name, it does have 3D capabilities. It is much easier to use than Fusion. It is $500, but it's not subscription based. Once you buy it, it's yours. They have even upgraded us to newer versions twice now for free! There is a trial version, if you wanna check it out. Gimme a call if you wanna chat about it sometime. My phone got smashed, and I no longer have your number.
Awe snap! Yeah cousin I’ll give you a call, I’d love to hear more about it (lots of people in the Longmill fb group use vetric) might be a good option. I also want to pick your brain on cheap welders!
Great video I'm a 68 y.o. Veteran needing a Stl file for a Fender or Gibson.I have many files animals religion etc id love to trade a file for file so I can make my son an electric guitar before I die.Can you help please. I've a longmill also I do need to extend it tho money tight tho. AGAIN GREAT VIDEO
I don't need a CNC machine. I want a CNC machine. I don't need a CNC machine. I want a CNC machine. I don't need a CNC machine. I want a CNC machine. I don't need a CNC machine. I want a CNC machine.
It’s not practical unless you plan to build the same guitar over and over. Otherwise it’s more practical to build one off customs the old fashioned way
Seems if you understand WOOD you can't understand Fusion 360. If you understand Fusion 360, your designs in wood are ugly and violate all the rules of grain etc. This is how the universe maintains balance.
Hold on, hold the video! You mean to tell me you had a beautiful piece of wood with live edges on both sides and you cut some standard looking guitar? What a miss
A machine can’t make a finished product. It just gets you about 50% of the way there. And I dare you to try designing and carving a guitar in a cnc. It’s not any less craftsmanship, just a different kind of craftsmanship.
Cnc is computer programming, not machining. Do it the old way, by hand. Funny how all these machines have created builders. Builders work with their hands, not programming a machine. Food for thought
@@Goat706mopar you do have a point but what then are your feelings on making/using jigs and fixtures and the use of power tools in the building process?
Almost went this route but went Onefinity instead and honestly, there’s no comparison. I would highly suggest everyone just save up and get a 1F. Vbelts suck.
@@emostorm7 Maybe he meant v-wheels? I don't think wheels are all that bad. It depends on what kind of track they are riding on is what makes them bad and how easy it is to tighten when needed.
There's no better endorsement than a happy customer! Well done Longmill. 😊
Building guitars since 2000, just got a shapeoko last month. Running the machine is one thing, but drawing the darn files, woooo thats a learning curve.
I love my LongMill MK2! Thank you so much for your review you previously did on it. I would have had regrets had I not seen it.
I love love this. I’m at about 20 guitars now. It’s taken me 2 years.
I still feel like a beginner.
Hey dan, I have three CNC routers in the shop, I'm a huge fan of the Gerber saber 404 and 408 routers, I actually think the 404 routers are a bit better and tighter machines but the 408 is quite useful for bigger projects... The best spindle we found that doesn't cost too much is the rattm 2.2 KW air-cooled 400 HZ 24000 RPM spindle. Even with heavy use we get a couple years out of them in a production setting before needing to replace them and we push them very hard, you probably would get much more life out of them than we do. The available pillow block style 100 mm router mounts work quite well and are easy to machine and adapt to any CNC router and I've done it several, the big advantage is that you could actually switch that spindle out in the middle of a job if you have, I recently had to do that and we saved a huge 7 hour run of parts with no trouble at all...
Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been up in the air on getting a foxalien or one of these! I’ve also been wanting to build my own guitars, custom mechanical clocks, and other niche items. I just need a way to find a way to get my creativity out with large projects throughout my workday.
Oh man. Just got excited when you started saying best CNC for under 2K. So I started to do the conversion to USD and then you said the magic words. Canadian made. I live in Calgary and am very interested in this unit. For guitars and a great many other things. Thanks for this video. It just made my day.
Nice to see you back Dan. Looking forward to watching this.
Yes
About to buy the beginners kit of the 48x30 CNC. Not knowing anything about CNC but hoping to quickly learn. Your video seems honest and informative and what I’m looking for to advance my skillset. Might just use it to make wavy flags but maybe some cut down on future wood builds by having it make them
This was a FANTASTIC and refreshingly honest review video. If you or any of your viewers that have a good CNC want to help me make my own guitar bodies (that don't require a bunch of 3D shaping), please let me know. I've made about 37 of my own style but I'd love to see the accuracy improve.
Great machine! Re the router burning up, I added a "Super-PID router speed controller" to mine. It was easy enough to install and you can then run the router at lower speeds, with more torque too. Router runs cooler and quieter.
Because you can get lower speeds and more torque you can use something like a 1.5 inch diameter router bit for flattening slabs.
I also love the display on it, you can set an exact RPM on the display and know which RPM you use for which jobs which helps so much in production situations.
Thank you DAN!
So glad to see you back!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your Family!🙏😇🙏
Happy thanksgiving!
@@GunsandGuitars 😇🙏
Hey Dan, thanks for the update for your LM! I’m enjoying my 30x30. It was you who got me going for my LM. I learned some important maintenance and tuning things long after setting it up initially. Great machine, and yes the F360 is sometimes like driving an alien space craft by a mere mortal like me…. I might end up carving with Vetric Vcarve and other simple pockets/inlays with easier software. I enjoy your content bro!
Thanks man! Glad you love your machine too! Yeah I think I might break down and buy a PC so I can try some other more user friendly softwares (using a Mac is limiting in the cnc world)
@@GunsandGuitars
I recently got a free version of VMWare Fusion (finally some competition to Parallels) and can run Windows 11 64bit Arm. With that running VCarve Pro trial. I'll give it a while to see if I like it.
@@GunsandGuitars Tinkercad is a very easy to learn softwear that's just on a web browser. i use it for modeling 3d prints but im sure it would work with what your doing.
Had this machine on my radar for a while, always good to see more satisfied customers for things I'm planning to buy. Hopefully by February I'll have all the funds together or at least close enough that I can run some specials on my website to boost it to enough.
With Sienci Labs now introducing their new AltMill, those who are wanting to move up to a faster, more rigid CNC will be selling their MK1 and MK2 models... so you should be able to pick up a used machine for a decent saving.
Nice... first time finding this channel.... freaking love the channel name!!!
Built our CNC plasma years ago. Under 2k is a really good price for a machine like that
I love that this machine is non-square. So much more logical than just about everything else...who is making all these stop signs or I don't know what else is SQUARE.
Your comments are cracking me up this morning
Nice to see another video dan. Can’t wait to see that neck through completed.
You and me both!
I've had my Longmill MK1 for a few years now and love it so much that I have ordered an AltMill to replace it. The AltMill is much faster and more rigid and has the 4' X 4' bed that I'm going to find so much better than the 30" X 30" working bed on my MK1.
are you saying you've already received an altmill?
As always a great informative video Gunns..
Hope all is well in your new home…
I’ve just moved after staying in the home we lived in for 15yrs …
✌️😎👍 can’t wait to see how the community build and how it’s coming together…
Have a blessed day 💜
Thanks fatbob! Gonna get that community build back on track very soon!
Hey Dan, thank you! I should be ordering mine soon. Looking forward to the neck through CNC build video!
Woohoo! You’re gonna love it brother
Long time no hear from, Brad! Great video, too!! Do I see myself buying a CNC in the near future? No, frankly, I don't. I love getting a kit and taking off from there! Been busy in the SE part of the state building my 2nd Telecaster, but I did use the tried and true manual tools to alter the body shape. Otherwise, hope you n yours are doing fine! Again, thanks for the new video; it was great!!
Thanks man! Yeah I haven’t built a kit in a while, and I’m getting the urge. I’ve got a few laying around that need to but put together so maybe I’ll get on that sooner than later!
Great video! I’ve always enjoyed watching your channel. Been thinking about getting a cnc. You should make a headless guitar!
Here we go! Yeah, I've smoked 50 of those Avid routers ;) Lookin Good Old Man! Bet you forgot you had those sunglasses on or you're hiding a logo!
Haha, in and out of the shed and the bright sun!
Website says you need a "good table size" of 6'6"... What's the actual outside measurements? 7:11 you say 52" but is that work area within the rails or the size of the table you'd need for the whole machine?
Its looks like a hybrid of shapeoko and onfinity...
I have a onefinity X35 and its a beast..
Awesome work.. Im a guitar guy myself
I don't think I've ever seen a one-piece bass or guitar where the neck is the same block of wood. Not sure I'd call that neck-through. Excited to get my altmill in the next month or so
That's really a great machine and a neck through bass will be so cool. I'm pretty sure I could find a use for one in my acoustic builds. I suspect they'd be great for making necks.
And happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Thanks David! Happy thanksgiving to you and your family as well!
That machine is surely a good value for the buck. It addresses rigidity well for the money but it doesn't compare with a Laguna Swift or Axiom CNC. Granjted they may cost 10 times more but if it is being used to make money, they will make more. The Longmill is the best starter CNC out there but still it is a starter, perhaps the only starter worth buying. You are good with that machine, you could be better with a commercial machine. with less work. I am curious how much chatter you get with that machine. The bigger the machine, the more rigid it must be. Rigidity is the key to smooth and accurate cuts.
I just had a laguna MCNC Swift STD 5X10 -0233 delivered to my house last week and I absolutely love it.
I’m intimidated by the wiring/electronics part of building guitars. I have a Onefinity Elite Foreman (48x48) on order and it won’t arrive until sometime in January. The 2.2kw water cooled spindle will be arriving first. I’ll be looking for videos on electric guitar wiring.
Wiring is my favorite part!
I’m running a 32x32 Milll Right but now I want this. I’m assuming you can run larger jobs by feeding material out the back.
About speed. I don’t care because I can walk away and the machine keeps working. :)
Welcome back, man!!!
Thank you!
Is the brush did anything? It doesn’t touch the surface at all.
I’m looking to buy one but the dust is my main concern.
Hi.. how is that cheap router spindle holding up ? I mean you have built quite som guitars with it, how do you think it compare to a Makita or DeWalt ? Maybe the branded more expensive ones are more stable ?
Can you use the Sienci to build longer tracks for the Sienci, turn it into a 4'x8'?
He missed you thought you retired from youtube! Good to see your well
Thank Keith! No retired, just took a break, life took a left turn, but I’m back. I’ll explain more later!
I do a lot of flattening with mine also because I don’t have any of the belt sanders that people have.
What kind of bit do you use to flatten?
I have a large flattening bit but I haven’t used it yet. I’m kind of afraid to use it and my Quarter flat bit seems to work fine it just takes forever.
I often go for a walk with the dog when I come back it’s almost done.
Is there a better way to flatten?
looks like a great machine. Looking forward to that one piece bass
An excellent video keep up the good work. You mentioned you were waiting on items to finish the dust shoe. Is it possible to list the type of dust collector and shoe connected to your router. It appears to be the most compact and well designed attachment we've seen.
I put a link in the description to the dust boot they sell that’s made for the Longmill. It’s definitely the best designed dust boot I’ve used. My dust collection setup is just a standard 4” 1hp dust collector. The parts I was waiting on were additional hoses, blast gates, and adapters to use 2” hose with my 4” collector.
i learned fusion 360 and vectric aspire but i prefer vectric since it is so easy. i outgrew easel in a month because of the severe limitations it has. also, your bit is sticking out too much, it can cause it to break off and hit someone. i set my bit as short as possible , i push the bit to the end in the collet and then pull it out by a little amount so the bit wont be offset.
My bit is seated all the way. It’s just a 4” long bit with a 2” cutting surface, specifically for guitar bodies.
If I was going to get into the cnc for building guitars I'd have probably have atleast 3 or 4 that way I'd be able to do the body , neck , fretboard and maybe even inlays ect
I think you’re on to something 🤔
I am a CNC mill operator in a glass fab facility. I work on a Bavaloni 330 with a 10 x 14 foot table. I mill glass up to 1/2 inch thickness. At home I have a nearly but never complete woodworking shop. I've been shopping CNC mills for months and so far this one looks like the best deal around for it's size and capabilities. I'm interested to know what CAD and CAM programs it works with.
It works with any grbl based software, and probably more. I use easel and I’m trying to learn fusion360, but tons of people are using v-carve, vetric, rhino, etc.
@@GunsandGuitars Thanks for the info. I've been digging into it a little more and will probably be ordering on Monday.
New in cnc I’m planning to make speargun is it capable ? Up to 120 cm
Harbor Freight sells the Makita Clone under their Bauer brand. I bought mine for $40 on a sale.
That’s a killer deal! I’ve never seen the Bauer router below $79, but for $40 that’s a no brained. Plus you can add the protection plan and swap it out same day if you need it replaced
What happened to the video of you finishing this bass???
I was gifted a 30 x 30 Longmill and the damn thing scares the heck out of me! Any tips, advice or help would be appreciated
Would you recommend this over the Snapmaker artisan?
OK, so I also saw your video about the FoxAlien. So which is better?
Hey Dan! hows it going.
I bought the longmill Mk 2 a fewmonths ago based on this video. I'm at the point with it now where I'm production milling 3d files and am looking at moving to a spindle for larger bits and cleaner cuts.
Was wondering your thoughts on this and how youre doing with your trim router still.
Thanks!
You got a link where you sell your guitars at
Great review, thank you!
hey,
i‘m looking for router bits with long shafts to go through 45mm. where you have bought it?
best regards!
I want one!! I’d love to make my own basses!
I want a 4’ x 2’ Cnc
It would take up less space but still work for neck throughs.
But I bought the one I have so unless I have money for a Cnc and divorce, I’ll have to stick with what I have.
For now.
I ordered mine based on this video! Do you know where I can find a bass guitar file, body and neck?
Man, You really want me to build custom Guitars Now lol
What spindle are you using
If you're intrested I can program some example guitars in Fusion 360 for you, Kind of give a template on how to do contours and smoothing with the software, It would be my pleasure.
This is really cool! Where do you suggest getting started in learning CNC, modeling, etc. for guitar making?
Hey Dan, I've been following your channel for a few years now and respect your work and opinion so as I consider entering the world of cnc for guitar building I wanted to ask you what CAD/CAM software you're using with the mk2 to design and build your guitars?
Also wanted to ask how difficult you found it to learn? This is brand new territory for me so need something that won't have a terribly steep learning curve.
Thanks Dan
Just buy a water cooled cnc spindle from Vevor and ditch the router if you plan on cutting faster. Also the problem isn't the size of the table but the size of your shop. Buy what you want the first time and dont spend thousands more trying to upgrade unless you are making money hand over fist. It's a waste of time. People usually buy this stuff and then struggle trying to figure out what to use it for. I see people ditching them on a weekly basis because they dont want to put in the work learning what they can do. You have all the time in the world to learn cnc before you even buy one, just watching youtube and downloading the software. The same goes for 3D printing. You do not have to spend money to get 3D modeling software just to test 3D printing. Whatever you learn also applies to Plasma cutting tables.
Spindle upgrade, 400-900 dollars
Thanks for the comment recommending a brand. I'm shopping around and it's nice to be able to look everything I might need up and price it out before making a decision.
I would love to know what 3d & CAM software you use? Oh and what Vacuum do you use. Our's died.
Guess I could have watched before asking...oops
Haha yeah I’m still using easel. It gets the job done. I still want to learn a different CAD/CAM software, but it’s low on the priorities. Even with easels limitations, I can smooth out the difference faster and easier by hand than if I did more complex programming with tool changes, etc, so I’m happy with it for now. My dust collector is an old 80’s 1hp central machine dust collector I found on marketplace for $20. It works way better than I expected, much better than a shop vac.
Liking it! Been looking around myself!
Hey Dan, great video. How are you calculating your feeds and speeds?
Thanks Dan, great info
What software are you using, boss man?
What is that long endmill? Is it a stock chuck on the router or have you gone the ER route? We need to know.
They are just longer end mills. I think I put links to them in the description. One is 1/4” and uses the standard 1/4” collet, but the larger one is a 3/8” and it required using the 3/8” collet adapter. The avid router came with it, but if you’re using a Makita you can get it separately. The 3/8” endmill clears out pockets so much faster and there’s less deflection so you can run the machine a bit harder.
Thanks bud. I'll check them out
What software do you use? It seem to work quite well. You're doing very good work!
I’m using easel for now. Still trying to learn fusion360 and it’s a pretty steep learning curve
Great vid bud,
Thanks Matt!
If you had the opportunity to pick up a Shapeoko 5 pro for under 2500 would you consider it to be an upgrade?
It would be an upgrade in some ways, but mostly I’d consider the Longmill better. Especially because of the community. I’m a part of other cnc groups including shapoko and the Longmill community is more active and more helpful.
Can I buy this file from you? I have a ShopBot 48x96
Sorry, this is my design, it’s not for sale
Great video.
I am starting to do work on guitars and aspire to build once I sharpen my skills, would you recommend saving up for one of these or do you still recommend the masuter? I see them going for 320 rn on amazon and that is honestly low enough I'm considering doing that pretty immediately
I love fox alien, and I will likely be working with them more in the future. But I will say this: when I was using the Masuter pro, I was longing for a bigger faster stronger machine. When I’m using the Longmill, I don’t. If it’s an option, I’d save for a Longmill.
@@GunsandGuitars that is all i needed to hear, what serendipitous timing you had with this upload
I got rid of my masuter pro, for a Longmill 30 30. Wish I had bought the Longmill from the start. FA arrived with defects, developed defects and struggled with everything.
2nd run of my new makita router, flattening spoilboard, Makita almost melted. It's gone.
Nice machine!
I was also thinking about your CAD/Fusion 360 comment. We use Vectric Cut2D for design. Despite the name, it does have 3D capabilities. It is much easier to use than Fusion. It is $500, but it's not subscription based. Once you buy it, it's yours. They have even upgraded us to newer versions twice now for free! There is a trial version, if you wanna check it out. Gimme a call if you wanna chat about it sometime. My phone got smashed, and I no longer have your number.
Awe snap! Yeah cousin I’ll give you a call, I’d love to hear more about it (lots of people in the Longmill fb group use vetric) might be a good option. I also want to pick your brain on cheap welders!
I use shopbot 2.5 carve
do you build custom gtrs for customers?
Yes
@@GunsandGuitars what's the best way to get in contact?
Great video I'm a 68 y.o. Veteran needing a Stl file for a Fender or Gibson.I have many files animals religion etc id love to trade a file for file so I can make my son an electric guitar before I die.Can you help please. I've a longmill also I do need to extend it tho money tight tho. AGAIN GREAT VIDEO
Do you have any of those used cncs to sell me?
It’s been a minute 😮
Sure has!
Dude where you been
Had to take a break due to some life circumstances, I’ll explain in a future video
Dude can you make me a neck through bass
I don't need a CNC machine.
I want a CNC machine.
I don't need a CNC machine.
I want a CNC machine.
I don't need a CNC machine.
I want a CNC machine.
I don't need a CNC machine.
I want a CNC machine.
Both are true 😂
The best thing to do is take a course for a solid Works and 3-D AutoCAD and you’ll be OK
Sneaky upload again mate, if I had the room and money I’d think about a cnc
Really hating routing at the moment 🤣
Yes. I still need to figure out how to set up a cnc to be a sander 😂
Cnc guitars just not for me. But hey it's cool
It’s not practical unless you plan to build the same guitar over and over. Otherwise it’s more practical to build one off customs the old fashioned way
@@GunsandGuitars still cool tech. Will likely get better over time
And to get to the point. I was hired for my skills. Not my tools.
Seems if you understand WOOD you can't understand Fusion 360. If you understand Fusion 360, your designs in wood are ugly and violate all the rules of grain etc. This is how the universe maintains balance.
Haha! Man I feel this
Hold on, hold the video! You mean to tell me you had a beautiful piece of wood with live edges on both sides and you cut some standard looking guitar? What a miss
That’s the problem with today’s builders, they take credit for a machine doing the majority of the work.
A machine can’t make a finished product. It just gets you about 50% of the way there. And I dare you to try designing and carving a guitar in a cnc. It’s not any less craftsmanship, just a different kind of craftsmanship.
Cnc is computer programming, not machining. Do it the old way, by hand. Funny how all these machines have created builders. Builders work with their hands, not programming a machine. Food for thought
@@Goat706mopar you do have a point but what then are your feelings on making/using jigs and fixtures and the use of power tools in the building process?
If a craftsman can’t blame their tools, why should they give credit to them?
Jigs are a helping hand. It doesn’t really do anything for the product but hold it in place for assembly 🧐
Almost went this route but went Onefinity instead and honestly, there’s no comparison. I would highly suggest everyone just save up and get a 1F. Vbelts suck.
Longmill doesn't have any belts dude
Yes V belts suck, and clearly you don’t know anything about the Longmill 😂
@@emostorm7 Maybe he meant v-wheels? I don't think wheels are all that bad. It depends on what kind of track they are riding on is what makes them bad and how easy it is to tighten when needed.