Which Starter CNC Machine
Which Starter CNC Machine
I looked for this topic on AGCF but found no one asking about CNC machines so here goes….I absolutely love all parts of building guitars EXCEPT cutting my logo out of perloid shell and routering out the channel in the headstock piece. I think a CNC machine is something I want to investigate. Unfortunately I know nothing about them. What should I buy if I want it for just this job. I’d love to find an amazing little machine for not much money but I’m willing to spend more if it makes my life easier.
Last edited by Dude13 on Sun Mar 22, 2026 10:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Andris Freimanis,
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.
Re: Which Starter CNC Machine
First pic is yesterdays frustration with routering too much along one edge (I made sure I was not tempted to use it by going postal on it). Second pic is my logo and 3rd and 4th are finished ones on a couple completed guitars.
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Andris Freimanis,
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.
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John Parchem
- Posts: 2878
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Re: Which Starter CNC Machine
Ultimately it came out great. Rosewood is hard to get clean. I have the Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030 V2 Desktop CNC Router. Too small for guitar fretboards, but perfect for headstock veneers and inlays. I also use it for bridges, compensated nuts, templates and the like. I can not compare it to others but I really like it.
Re: Which Starter CNC Machine
Never considered that I might have to step up to 240 volts to power it.
The Ginmitsu’s vary in price from $200 and up. I guess you get what you pay for?
I found a Ginmitsu PROVerXL 4030 used in good condition for $600 Canadian which includes extra bits and a Makita router. Take $120 off if you don’t want the router and bits. Would I be buying someone else’s problems?
The Ginmitsu’s vary in price from $200 and up. I guess you get what you pay for?
I found a Ginmitsu PROVerXL 4030 used in good condition for $600 Canadian which includes extra bits and a Makita router. Take $120 off if you don’t want the router and bits. Would I be buying someone else’s problems?
Andris Freimanis,
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada.
-
John Parchem
- Posts: 2878
- Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 8:33 pm
- Location: Seattle
- Contact:
Re: Which Starter CNC Machine
Mine runs on 120V. I think that you would not be buying others problems. My guess you would be getting a machine hardly used.
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John Parchem
- Posts: 2878
- Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 8:33 pm
- Location: Seattle
- Contact:
Re: Which Starter CNC Machine
Yea, that was a good price. I chose the 4030 because I did not have room for a bigger unit. One big enough for a fretboard would have been handy although I have a good fret slot cutting jig. I can not profile a top or back with this size, It is big enough that I can put my top in the machine to route the rosette.