Acoustic Guitar Body Maker --- Improved Version

[Rcnewcomb]

The problem with the single unit side spreaders is that it prevents placing the side reinforcement pieces. See the photo:

Regarding the earlier comment:

Beings the inner area is mostly waste material should I move the Blocks inward away from the mold? I believe that this would be best due to the Block Toolpath Bit could scar the body profile at those locations of the mold.

You would not need to move it my much -- just enough for the bit to have clearance between the body form and the caul.

[sharkcutup]

The problem with the single unit side spreaders is that it prevents placing the side reinforcement pieces. See the photo:
Screenshot 2024-10-16 083806.png

Regarding the earlier comment:

Beings the inner area is mostly waste material should I move the Blocks inward away from the mold? I believe that this would be best due to the Block Toolpath Bit could scar the body profile at those locations of the mold.

You would not need to move it my much -- just enough for the bit to have clearance between the body form and the caul.

Thank You Randall!

I am going to wait a bit more for others to comment before continuing on with construction of gadget.

"The problem with the single unit side spreaders is that it prevents placing the side reinforcement pieces."

Would I need the locations of these Side Reinforcement Pieces in order to locate individual Caul blocks?

Sharkcutup

[Rcnewcomb]

I'm hoping some of the other instrument builders such as Sylvan Wells join in the discussion.

[adze_cnc]

In the file Guitar Maker Tools_ver2.0.xlua there is the function PresentMessage (line 646) that accepts 3 parameters but there are many spots where it is passed 4 or 5.

Line 607 y is integer but defined in 603 as string.

Lines 635 to 641 Joint is never used in any other place (I think).

[sharkcutup]

In the file Guitar Maker Tools_ver2.0.xlua there is the function PresentMessage (line 646) that accepts 3 parameters but there are many spots where it is passed 4 or 5.

Line 607 y is integer but defined in 603 as string.

Lines 635 to 641 Joint is never used in any other place (I think).

Thank You ADZE_CNC! I will work on those during this waiting period.

Again Thank You!

Sharkcutup

[sharkcutup]

To ADZE_CNC ---- Coding Found and Fixed

To Randall Newcomb and all others ----

Here is the Guitar Layout and Toolpathing that I am working into the Gadget see screenshot below.

Comments/Suggestions Welcome!

Sharkcutup

[sylvan356]

I am afraid I cannot add much to this discussion. All of my molds are designed so that the guitar sides never leave the mold until the top and back are glued on. This keeps the sides at a rigid 90 degrees. My method only receives one spreader at the waist. No others are needed. Long screws are screwed into the headlock and tailblock from the outside of the mold in. This keeps the body secure while I work on it. As a result there is an absolute minimum of things inside the mold blocking my work. When the top and back are glued on to the sides, the screw are removed so the body can exit the mold. The location of the screws are covered up by the neck joint and the butt joint inlay.

[sharkcutup]

I am afraid I cannot add much to this discussion. All of my molds are designed so that the guitar sides never leave the mold until the top and back are glued on. This keeps the sides at a rigid 90 degrees. My method only receives one spreader at the waist. No others are needed. Long screws are screwed into the headlock and tailblock from the outside of the mold in. This keeps the body secure while I work on it. As a result there is an absolute minimum of things inside the mold blocking my work. When the top and back are glued on to the sides, the screw are removed so the body can exit the mold. The location of the screws are covered up by the neck joint and the butt joint inlay.

In bold above ----
Are the Guitar sides a part of the Body Mold?

Sharkcutup

[sylvan356]

The guitar sides are not part of the body mold. In that respect the mold looks like a conventional mold. I am of the opinion that removing the sides from the mold to put on the linings, blocks, etc. gives the sides room to no longer be perpendicular to the flat surfaces (top and back). By working with the sides always in the mold until the top and back are glued on solves that problem.

[sharkcutup]

Thank you for that explaination.

Sharkcutup

[sharkcutup]

I have another Question --- What are the average size of the Caul blocks?

Sharkcutup

[sylvan356]

My caul blocks for the waist of the mold are 3" long and 1 1/2" thick.

[sharkcutup]

My caul blocks for the waist of the mold are 3" long and 1 1/2" thick.

Thank you for responding!

Okay, how is this related to the direction of the body length? When you say "long" I am assuming that is the direction fo the body length for the width attached to the speader can vary. Is my assumption correct?

Sharkcutup

[sylvan356]

I am not sure what our question is so I took a picture of one of my molds (I have 9). Hopefully this will answer your question!

[sharkcutup]

I am not sure what our question is so I took a picture of one of my molds (I have 9). Hopefully this will answer your question!IMG_2487.jpeg

Thank You! Wow! 9 Molds! Do you do that as a living or is that a Sideline Hobby?

Yes that does answer my question. You have been very helpful.

Sharkcutup