Something I thought I would never do....

[Pete Howlett]

When I bought my first CNC machine over 7 years ago it was to produce those mundane parts like bridges and fingerboards. The holy grail most CNC users grope towards is a complete neck carve - watch your space Ken?

Unlike Ken my brain does not work in 5 dimensions so using a combination of hand work and a simple program to profile the back of the neck I can chunk out 10 Uklectic ukulele necks in a day.

So has Pete sold out you ask? I don't know because this move has been forced on me by the unexpected consequences of having a progressive motor dysfunction like Parkinson's. I have to keep working to retard the speed of deterioration and reduce drug dependency - it is something my neurologist has been most pleased about... but I just could not hand carve 10 necks in my current physical and mental state. As much as I love the Zen fused process of hand-neck carving, I have capitulated and bent a partial knee to a machine process I once thought I would never use.

At least the heel and volute get a brief moment with rasp and sand paper.

 

[Pegasus Guitars]

I think it is incredible that you have learned the CNC skills to do this. AI will probably be doing this stuff on verbal command instructions soon, if not already.Congrats!-Bob

 

[Pete Howlett]

I've had to Bob. I am half the man you met 7 years ago...

 

[Pegasus Guitars]

Pete- It can't have been 7 years ago! Seems like yesterday to me. I'm hoping the memories last longer than the body. Would hate to lose them. Take care!-Bob

 

[ploverwing]

I love that this technology is keeping you doing what you love to do. That's absolutely excellent.

 

[bbkobabe]

Getting older is not for sissies...

 

[KohanMike]

I tried to use a CNC router to cut out pickguards/scratch plates for my Hadean violin/Hofner style bass ukes. One of the worst experiences I've ever encountered, so I highly commend you for making it happen, especially with your condition.

 

[Timbuck]

At least the heel and volute get a brief moment with rasp and sand paper.
View attachment 158425

The heel and volute are the tricky parts ...it took Mike 3 days to solve the Martin style slipper heel...I've ordered some cheap wood to practice on , until a satisfactory neck can be produced by CNC without much hand work.

 

[mikeyb2]

The heel and volute are the tricky parts ...it took Mike 3 days to solve the Martin style slipper heel...I've ordered some cheap wood to practice on , until a satisfactory neck can be produced by CNC without much hand work.

Cheap wood Ken?! I wasn't aware such a thing existed.

 

[Timbuck]

Cheap wood Ken?! I wasn't aware such a thing existed.

It's an old railway sleeper ...I'm going to have some fun on the bandsaw with it.

 

[John Colter]

Cheap wood Ken?! I wasn't aware such a thing existed.

It grows on trees.

 

[mikeyb2]

It grows on trees.

the old ones are the best John. (pun intended!)

 

[Pete Howlett]

If I was doing an acoustic neck I would do it as Ibanez does with the neck mounted on its side.... Makes much more sense than most methods I have seen.

 

[EDW]

Getting older is not for sissies...

But it may be better than the alternative

 

[Timbuck]

Something to watch.

 

[a green field]

You don't need to defend yourself to anyone, doing such high quality work and what you love.