WezV - building an electric with the laser cutter.

Sporky · May 2023

I think the limiting factors are usually the rigidity of the machine (mine could be usefully upgraded in that regard) and the spindle power - mine is the same model 1400W router as I have for general use.

Definitely some stuff Mr V is doing that would be tricky on mine though.

Jez6345789 · May 2023

Turning off the VPN sorted it weird now its all makes so much more sense pictures are great

WezV · May 2023

I can't see my own pics from my work computer, I've been posted them from my phone - hosted on Imgur.

I would love a CNC for the proper wood work once day. My expectations from the laser was never that it would replace a lot of router work or things a CNC or normal router would be useful for.

I wanted it mainly for template making, marking out and inlay, which is does really well with the materials and thicknesses I have chosen - working well within it's limitations. It's amazing how quickly this style of laser is becoming a viable option for home use. Mine is already the old model, with a new version available that is 3-4 times more powerful and includes a bigger work area as standard

If I had a CNC router, I think a laser head would be a good addition to it. Sadly that doesn't work the other way as the laser frame and motors are nowhere near strong enough to carry a router

Sporky · May 2023

I am very impressed with how much you can do with the laser.

TTony · May 2023

WezV said:

If I had a CNC router, I think a laser head would be a good addition to it.

Now, that's an interesting thought that I hadn't had ...

WezV · May 2023

Pickup covers.

I already had the facings, cut from the same wood as the top and therefore perfectly grain matched.

I decided to engrave the back of these to fit nicely on a p90 covers. Whilst I was at it I also cut some bits to make these into solid maple covers. The rings were cut with grain going the opp8osite way for strength

Stuck them together and cleaned up a bit

Checking fit... need to clean out the insides a little, but looking good

And in the body

victorludorum · May 2023

I think you might be getting some enquiries about those p90 covers soon.

WezV · May 2023

They probably wouldn't be a good retrofit option as I built them thicker than a normal P90 case for additional strength, so they are chunkier than a standard soapbar cover

That's fine here where I can match them exactly to the route, but I doubt they would fit easily in most P90 guitars

Wazmeister · May 2023

Wez, you are so talented mate, ans i love your threads.

cheers !

Strangefan · May 2023

The laser cutter is probably one of the most important things I have ever bought, it can be used in literally everything, leather main for me,

WezV · June 2023

Remade the headplate shorter, and a much better engraving this time. Though I should include a grain matched truss rod cover too.

Strangefan · June 2023

Do you have the air pump attachment? That would prevent any of the scorching you're getting near the logo,

WezV · June 2023

Yeah, air assist was running. Although I keep seeing conflicting info on whether it should be used for engraving, or just cutting.

I'm quite happy with the new one, should clean up fine.

Strangefan · June 2023

The new one does look great,

DartmoorHedgehog · June 2023

That looks excellent. What's the difference in settings between that and the old, slightly fuzzy, one? Presumably to do with laser power and head speed.

WezV · June 2023

the first one was done at too low power/high speed. I tried to do another pass but lost alignment slightly so it lost definition. I think i also used the offset fill setting for speed.

The newer one was done on the slower fill setting, at a slower speed.

there are 3 main modes on the laser

Line - it draws the outline of the shape
Fill - it fills it by moving side to side like a printer head.
Offset fill - Draws the outline, then moves inwards drawing the same shape

fill vs offset fill is not that different on a solid shape

Image: https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/img/RasterVsOffset.png

but for hollow shapes it makes a big difference

red shows the laser head movement, lots of wasted moves with fill

Image: https://docs.lightburnsoftware.com/img/RasterVsOffset-Hollow.png

Offset fill is a lot quicker, but fill is more consistent.

Offset fill can also do odd things with unusual shapes

DartmoorHedgehog · June 2023

@WezV interesting, thanks

WezV · June 2023

i had a slight mishap with the top.

After doing the headplate I decided to try and re-do the body engraving. I got it all aligned nicely by pre-engraving the shape onto a backing board and running the program again. It was running well, so I stepped away to water some plants for a minute. Big mistake

I missed a slight curvature of the top, which meant that the laser guard pushed the whole thing out of alignment, and started engraving in totally the long spot. It is set up with very little clearance so you get the best eye protection from the shield.

the lesson here is to hold thinner bits of wood more firmly before engraving. I should have stuck it to the backing board with double side tape

I've left it alone for a couple of days trying to decide the best way to fix it. The obvious answer is to cut a new top along with pickups and plates to match.

But i wasn;t quite ready to give up on this one. The slight bowing that caused the issue makes it difficult to plane or thickness out as is, so i've decided to glue it into the body first. Hopefully I can route 1-1.5mm off the top of the whole thing, and re-engrave after.

Sesh · June 2023

Oh no, what a shame. This thread has been fascinating so far. I'm sure you will be able to sort it though.

WezV · June 2023

There are always issues to overcome when trying new things, so I'm not too phased by it. I know at this point it's better to think about a solution for a few days before I attempt anything rash.

The alternative would be to walk well trodden paths, or even not bother building the bloody things at all.

sev112 · June 2023

Turn it over for a lefty

WezV · June 2023

nah, i hate making lefties as i can't play them

also, its currently in clamps

WezV · June 2023

I took 1mm off the whole top, just need to re radius and sand out the whole thing before i move onto the neck pocket

WezV · June 2023

Neck route jig

WezV · June 2023

Top re-engraved. Just one border this time. The plan is to leave the outer edge and pickups natural, maybe put a nice colour in the middle.

I did actually use offset fill again here as it takes 20mins instead of 2 hours .... but I changed the spacing between the laser path for a bit more overlap, giving a much cleaner cut.

I also slimmed down the outer border.... which I think looks loads better, but now doesn't match the headplate. I'm okay with that as the visual difference will be reduced when the middle bits are sprayed a different colour.

PeteC · June 2023

Great job. Love the pinstripe effect round the body. I think a second version with the body roundover replaced by a bold chamfer where the maple top starts would look amazing too.

WezV · June 2023

That could work. For this one I am sticking more with a vintage Zemaitis feel for most if it, just with some updated aesthetics

I'm really struggling to decide on a colour that would work well, so may have to do some photoshop mockups later

PeteC · June 2023

Look forward to seeing those. Ive been wanting to add a thin abalone pinstripe to the centreline on a couple of my builds but havent tried yet - a laser cutter would be perfect for cutting those - but rather overkill !! What inlays will you be using?

Jalapeno · June 2023

Awesome work, you are the new Tony Zemaitis !

Jez6345789 · June 2023

Keeping with the Zemaitis feel what about steel grey wood on the insert possibly classic cherry on the outer?
There are some tutorials getting a nice grey blue steel look on flamed woods.
Sure you will come up with a winner.

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WezV - building an electric with the laser cutter.

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