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Sorry about the duplicate post but I wasn't getting a response in Electric forum.

Does anyone offer duplication of archtop plates as a service? Actually I need a mold duplicated and will supply it. Plywood or MDF would probably be fine but maple would be best.

I am using it to make laminated plates and my mold is made from plaster covered with ducktape (the handyman's secret weapon) and it is getting pretty old. I also have a few others that I need to make and then duplicate.

If you know of anyone who might offer this service I would appreciate it. I don't have room for a carving duplicator or time to build one. I have explored mold making resins and all that and pretty much ruled it out.

Thanks,
Ken McKay
Up North Strings

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Ken

Ken,
Check with Parser or Bob Garish in the CNC sub forum. They may be able to help.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Don't know if you want to go this route but, if you've got several to do, you could make one. I made this from plans I think are still available (MIMF). Fairly straight forward.

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Dave
Milton, ON

I don't have a digitizer...but if you get the part digitized I (or Bob I'm sure as well) could help you out with a CAD model of the part. Once you have the CAD model, you could shop the part to pretty much anyone doing CNC woodworking.

Trev

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Thanks guys,

That duplicarver looks extremely simple and I might just have to make one, but again I would prefer not to have it cluttering my shop.

Parser, I am not sure how to go about digitiizing it. Sounds like something the proctologist does .

Maybe I could get someone to draw the profile in a CAD program. Actually I am doing this with another plan I have but not a 3D model. Any ideas who offers this service?

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Ken

Ken, FWIW I only bring out the duplicarver when req'd. The gantry & slider normally hang on hooks in the basement & the "bed" leans against a wall behind the shop door. Setup...10 min.

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Dave
Milton, ON

I would have it probed (like a scan only done with a touch probe) so you have an electronic version. Then you can have one cut when ever you need it. Probing is done with a CNC machine.

Ken,
You might try Greg German of http://www.germanguitars.com. He has a CNC and makes archtops, and I know he uses his CNC to carve close to the final, then does the final voicing by hand. Good luck!

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

I do a lot of CAD work, but I think if you just want to duplicate one part like this mold that you have, then it's probably best to find someone with a duplicarver who is willing to copy the part for you.

Trev

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

I used to get work from Mr Watkins, necks to my specs. But he is too busy now for little old me, which is great to hear!

Germain has a nice looking website, thanks.

Either way, duplicarver or CNC is fine with me. I really only need maybe 6 molds made. But I do order CNC necks made to my specs, so a establishing contacts is a good idea.

If any of you make CNC necks, email me.

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Ken

Reverse-engineering (Physical sample -> CAD -> CNC) is a big part of my work, and I do mostly guitar parts as well as tools and whatnot. I'm sure that I can help you (as others have mentioned), but on a single copy of an existing object the duplicarver is the most cost-effective way to do things.

CNC starts to make more sense if you need a really high-quality copy of something that might be harder to do on a duplicarver, if you need more than a couple copies, or if you can benefit from having CAD models of the part (which is of no benefit to some, and absolutely a requirement for others, depending how they work and design things). Feel free to PM me if you want me to look at this or any of your parts.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services