Assembling The Highline CNC Routing Machine

[@winandd8649]

15:30 OMG, that's why you have a CNC machine !

[@hi-ccowboy7983]

For those who purchased the CNC plans, it's worth mentioning the importance of reading through the assembly steps and taking notes before purchasing parts. Example: Some of the 3060 extrusions require an M8 tap on the ends. With some vendors, this is an option when ordering, not the default. Great and very thorough plans, just make sure you read them. :-)

[@HighlineGuitars]

Thanks Pete!

[@hi-ccowboy7983]

@@HighlineGuitars I keep forgetting that I’m using his photo. 😃

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@hi-ccowboy7983 Ah man! And here I thought I had an A-list celebrity watching my videos!! 😉

[@JohnViolette]

This is a real nice build. I’m on guitar #4 and #5, and I don’t know if I will ever get to using CNC for building, but I think I will build this just for fun. I bought the plan. Very nice.

[@applebutter4036]

Genius build! Just this video is very helpful for me. I'll be rebuilding mine in this image more or less. Very impressed with the ingenuity here.

[@robcampbell9254]

My Bad ... just found you FAQ vid with the answers I'm looking for ... great machine ... going to start looking for parts tomorrow. Thanks very much

[@HighlineGuitars]

No worries. I'm glad you found the FAQs video. Don't forget to grab an assembly manual if you haven't already!

[@dalgguitars]

You should be very proud. What a great machine! Thanks for filming this.

[@ChrisFranklyn]

12:00 GREAT SCOTT! FLUX CAPACITOR! (I may have misheard that)

[@MOAllDa]

Interesting video. I am of the mind that all guitars are beautiful and have their purposes,be it single coil or humbucker. I love a guitar with an HSS pickup with push-pull configuration. This offers diverse tonal possibilities. Does your CNC plan offer a parts list and cost estimation for the build?

[@HighlineGuitars]

My plans offer a list of parts, but not where to get them or how much they cost.

[@MouldyGuitars]

Nicely designed machine. Those linear bearings look much better than the eccentric wheels on my machine which need regular attention and some dont tighten enough at all!! Look forward to your doc :D

[@robcampbell9254]

Have just found your channel ... just roughly ... what is final cost of your cnc pictured ... just rough ... realize prices have changed .... just trying to decide whether to buy or build at this moment ... thanks very much.

[@FuddmanBunnykiller]

I have him-hawed over buying the plans for this. I'd estimate what he has in this video is probably $750-$1000.

[@NerdusOptimus]

Awesome, I look forward to seeing the manuals. Any chance to see just a parts list and parts source excerpt? I would love to start researching prices and buying what is needed. Thanks again!

[@budude2]

ditto - I think this would make a great winter time project to work on...

[@HighlineGuitars]

No. As I said in the video, I haven't finished the parts list yet. Also, there will not be a source list since that would be impossible due to constant changes in the marketplace.

[@NerdusOptimus]

@@HighlineGuitars Ok, thanks!

[@shawnclose5261]

Yes plans or manual would fantastic!

[@BinoyJacob992009]

You machine is strong . Do you think it strong enough for fast cutting.I have openbuilds 1010 lead machine.I purchased your plan last year.Now I am thinking to make one with your cnc plan.If make 48 x 48 cutting area what the size frame I need . Could you please help me.

[@HighlineGuitars]

It all depends on what you consider fast cutting. With acme lead screws and delrin anti backlash nuts, 150 inches per minute is about as fast as you can cut and that depends on the material you're cutting and the depth of cut you choose. If you want to go faster and deeper, you'll need ball screws or more powerful stepper motors. I don't know what the frame size would be for a 48" x 48" cutting area. You would have to calculate that yourself.

[@BinoyJacob992009]

@@HighlineGuitars Thankyou

[@fredscott413]

cool music and build,thanks.

[@can5projects563]

that looks fun to do.... great job

[@chrisconcannon2026]

I just purchased the plans and am about to get started. Can you give more info on the process you used to paint the parts? Looks very nice.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I just grabbed a can of yellow oil-based enamel and brushed on a couple of coats.

[@chrisconcannon2026]

@@HighlineGuitars Thank you for that. Is there a specific reason for using the aluminum extrusions for the frame, and not wood?

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@chrisconcannon2026 Wood at those lengths will move too much over time due to changes in humidity and that will have a detrimental impact on accuracy.

[@OldSilkRoad]

Chris, I’m about to start this project. Thinking ahead, I wanted to know if you recommend lubricating the lead screws or anything else with grease, and/or any other regular maintenance?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I occasionally sprayed some WD40 on the lead screws whenever they got a little noisy. Usually twice a year.

[@OldSilkRoad]

@@HighlineGuitars Roger that! That’s what I’ll do as well. Thanks so much for your prompt (as always!) reply!

[@luisownerbr]

That's a very good project. I've built one back in college, but we went bananas on the frame and ended up with too much frame for 4 little NEMA 17s and a 500w spindle we got from an old router. How's the plywood holding up? Seems very sturdy the way you put it together.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Still going strong with no signs of weakness. I had thought of eventually swapping the plywood for aluminum, but there's no point.

[@luisownerbr]

@@HighlineGuitars Well they're pretty thick, and the paint probably made them bullet proof. Thanks for the reply.

[@brucesnyder9359]

I have your CNC build plans and am in the process of building this CNC machine. Question: What did you set the dip switches on the DM542 Stepper Drivers? Thanks

[@durajistique]

Hi. Which model of Dewalt router do you use and how long can it work without a break? Is it very noisy? As far as I can see this is without water cooling. Thanx

[@buzzwah2447]

Great video. I suppose those aluminium extrusions are V-Slot, what size you're using? 40mm x 80mm? Thanks.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I used 30X60 From Misumi. us.misumi-ec.com/vona2/detail/110302686970/?Inch=0

[@buzzwah2447]

Thank you!!!

[@brianpetersen3429]

Excellent video!

[@squermed]

Much appreciated Chris!

[@ricknull3337]

Hi Chris, quick question. When cutting the wood, do I leave the lines or cut on the lines? I’m not sure how important this is with a machine this precise.

[@HighlineGuitars]

What lines?

[@ricknull3337]

The lines on the template’s that I printed out.

[@ricknull3337]

From the plans.

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@ricknull3337 Cut on the lines. It's not critical.

[@mynameismike]

I picked up your plans yesterday and now I'm trying to source all the parts, but I'm having a hard time finding a place for the lead screws that match your specs. Do you have any suggestions?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Unfortunately, COVID has made sourcing more difficult than it used to be. This is who I bought my acme parts from: imsrv.co/lead-screws-nuts-shaft-clamps/1-2-dia-5-start-acme-threads/ However, contact them before you make a purchase to ensure they can deliver. This source is more reliable, but more expensive: www.mcmaster.com/99030A704/

[@mynameismike]

@@HighlineGuitars Thanks so much. IMService is actually located in my town, so I will give them a call first.

[@freeelectron8261]

Awesome build! Looks like it could be built fairly economically if bearings, shafts and motors are purchased on eBay.

[@philippe-aubertmessier5646]

I just got the plans for and they are very well made, big thanks for that. I’m now looking into building the machine to take a crack at carving banjo necks. I’m now realizing there’s an extra challenge with banjo necks(compared with guitars) since they’re typically as high as 3”. This means longer/bigger flutes which I’m starting to read is typically associated with larger marchines. Do you think it’s a valid concern?Do you think the 3” thickness might be a show stopper with this design?

[@HighlineGuitars]

The machine has 5” of z axis travel.

[@WouldWorkforWoodWork]

Hi Chris. Great build! What is the accuracy of this setup? I would the think the anti backlash nuts help keep things tight.

[@akfischer2736]

Hi ...do you use 2 Motors for portalaxes?..how did it thats These are syncrosided?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I have two motors on the Y axis. Each has its own driver and both are wired to the Y axis terminals on the controller. Since I use grbl 1.1, both diver/motor combos get the same signal and as long as the motors and the drivers are all the same model, they are in sync.

[@JamesKruseArtist]

Hi Chris, do you control the Dewalt router manually or have you modified yours to be remotely controlled or through g-code? Thanks!

[@HighlineGuitars]

I control it manually. I looked into modifying it to be controlled through g-code, but the only thing I ever do is turn it on. Therefore is seemed unnecessary.

[@ireibarvaz]

Great work!, What's the working space of the machine?

[@HighlineGuitars]

About 21” for the X axis, 36” on the Y axis, and 5” on the Z axis.

[@mattmeyer8279]

Great video! What is the overall cutting area and height?

[@HighlineGuitars]

21" on the X-axis, 36" on the Y-axis and 5" on the Z-axis.

[@tonyflies1]

Hi Chris, on the Z axis you commented 5” clearance. Could you tell me what’s the thickest piece you could mill with this clearance using normal sized bits. I purchased the plans an am about to start my project. I’d like to be able to get through a 52mm depth of wood. Thanks. Great channel. 👍

[@patrickcarey6838]

Have you had any issues with synchronizing the Y axis motors? Would you have been better served to use a single vertical motor and a series of bevel gears/shafts to turn your lead screws?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I have never had a problem with the Y-axis motors synching. I have been using the machine for two years without a single hiccup. IMO it's better to move a heavy gantry with two motors rather than one.

[@patrickcarey6838]

@@HighlineGuitars Thanks for the quick response! I'm strongly considering designing my own CNC instead of purchasing one.

[@JamesKruseArtist]

I just started gathering the parts to build it! What is the size of the drag link chain you are using? I didn’t see it on the build sheet

[@xenobarbital]

A question here. Let's say you never ever plan to build neck-through guitars, would a slightly smaller frame do the trick?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I don't consider this frame large enough to make neck-through guitars.

[@chrisyoung8062]

Chris how would you compare and contrast this machine to your previous (I think it was an x-carve?). Is it larger, more consistent, etc.? What compelled you to design and build this (other than the satisfaction)?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Everything I can do with the new machine, I could do with the X-Carve. However, I can do it faster due to the use of more powerful steppers and lead screws.

[@bonihthaean2317]

Great video..

[@CanadianSmitty]

Out of curiosity, have you thrown in the towel on the XCarve? If so, why? Do you think the XCarve is viable to produce 1 to 2 guitars per month? If so, would you move to other software other than what is offered by Inventables?

[@nyalarhotep]

@I'm Michael Wayne Hi, this will be an extraordinary stupid question, since i have no idea about CNC machines, but what do you guys mean 2 guitars per month? Like, you can cut 2 guitars daily with hand tools, i thought CNCs are meant to speed up the process?

[@getenlightened]

Did you get your linear rails from Misumi? I couldn't find the rod to extrusion mounts easily. Also, how did you decide what thread pitch, etc. to go with on your lead screws? Anyway, thanks for the informative video, as always.

[@frige]

look up 'linear rails' on ebay.

[@getenlightened]

@@frige I know that. In fact, I've ordered linear rails from eBay.

[@kkmik5933]

Hey Chris, I'm in Canada, as I assume you are in the US. Are all the parts easily sourced for Canadians?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I don't know.

[@akfischer2736]

Hi...the yellow parts...is this steel?...or aluminium?.

[@-Thunder]

3:00 18mm Baltic Birch Plywood

[@007380]

Do the plans give sources for the materials?

[@jeremyvonk6853]

It looks like you previously had an X-carve machine. How does this machine compare? I'm considering building my own machine for wood working. I'm trying to decide how much machine I will need to build to be happy! (I also make guitars, but strictly as a hobby).

[@HighlineGuitars]

The X-Carve is great, but I thought it would be a fun project to design and build my own CNC. The new one shares the same software approach as the X-Carve (grbl/Arduino), however, the structure is stronger to be able to handle the 425oz-in nema 23 stepper motors.

[@jeremyvonk6853]

@@HighlineGuitars Thanks for the reply! I work on a Haas VMC and I have used this to cut 3 guitars. The problem is this machine is normally used for metal and the crossover to wood is messy! It's no fun to get coolant drips on a quilted maple top! My son and I have been kicking around building a router for our basement shop. Your video has given me plenty to chew on!

[@BinoyJacob992009]

Do you think this machine more strong than xcarve.How much you spend to finish your machine.

[@squermed]

Using a flex coupler installed to the lead screw, does this mean that the end of the acme lead screw doesn’t need machining? Thanks

[@HighlineGuitars]

Mine didn't.

[@squermed]

Highline Guitars thanks, happy holidays and have an even better 2019

[@ConsistentImprovement]

Would you be willing to sell an unassembled kit, minus the router, for this? Or a shopping cart of parts through a given website? I bought your plans but am slightly concerned about buying the wrong parts. This may be indicative of my lack of experience.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Sorry, but no. My focus is guitars, not CNC kits.

[@ConsistentImprovement]

@@HighlineGuitars understandable. Thanks for replying.

[@loskop100]

Good looking build but how are going to control the end thrust on screw?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Each screw has a threaded locking collar on one end and a motor coupler on the other end. Both are tightened against the bearings. No issues with end thrust that I've encountered.

[@loskop100]

@@HighlineGuitars Cool, I didn't see that detail so was just curious but wouldn't it be better to control end thrust from the one end?.

[@HighlineGuitars]

That's what the threaded locking collar does. I turn the collar onto the end of the screw against the bearing until there is no slop back and forth. Then I tighten the set screw.

[@TheJollyMisanthrope]

Any lessons learned from the X-Carve version that influenced your build choices?

[@HighlineGuitars]

V-wheels and belt drives are fine for light-duty work, but not fast, heavy-duty carving.

[@BinoyJacob992009]

Whats the length of y axis v slot extrusions?

[@HighlineGuitars]

My design uses 1,148mm long aluminum 3060 t-slot extrusions.

[@mattmeyer8279]

What power of stepper motors did you end up going with?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Matt Meyer 425oz in 3amp

[@rawadsultan9454]

Is Nema 23 is ok with this or Nema 34 ?

[@cristianku75]

Can it mill aluminum?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Yep.

[@cooly4831]

I'm trying to decide if I can afford this. Would anyone share with me the total cost of the material to make this? (Sorry if I missed this in one of the comments below).

[@HighlineGuitars]

Not sure what it would cost today, but assuming you have a PC and a work table, it should cost between $1,500 and $2,000 to build the machine.

[@narco73]

Can I ask what kind of performance (cut depth and speed) you are able to reliably get with this? thanks.

[@narco73]

Oh hang on, 'I've just spotted that you have a vid about settings. I'll have a look there.

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@narco73 At any rate, with Arduino Uno and grbl, I can go 150ipm and a .1" DOC. With a different breakout board and Mach 3, I could go faster, but it would get vastly more complicated.

[@narco73]

@@HighlineGuitars Yeah, I'm not get anywhere close to that, I think it is because my machine isn't stiff enough, and because it isn't on proper tracks.. I've also had trouble squaring it. It's a V1 LowRider design. It uses a mini Rambo for the brains, with smaller steppers than yours, belts rather than lead screws, and roller blade wheels to travel on. Whilst it's kind of fun, it is rare I get through a full session without something slipping. Other people report them working fine though. The total cost was about 1k. I was interested that you use your DeWalt on the slowest setting, I've been using the fastest, for no reason other than thinking it will cut more and therefore less likely to get pushed out of alignment. ps. I've watched all your CNC videos now. They've been really interesting. Thanks.

[@THRobinson]

What size of rails are you using for the frame? 40x80mm?

[@HighlineGuitars]

3060.

[@THRobinson]

@@HighlineGuitars Thanks... Just started to design one in sketchup and in the process of finding stuff that fits together using those pre-made 3D models.

[@robertomauri5463]

Hello! What type of controlled do you use?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Arduino Uno with GRBL 1.1 and a screw shield hooked up to DM542 stepper drivers.

[@-thirteen]

I saw a previous video where you were using the X-Carve. That looked like it worked well and set me off shopping. Now I see that you've made this one. Why was the X-Carve not satisfactory? also, I can understand how plans may not be something you want to share, perhaps a purchase list of parts? thanks for all your infos

[@HighlineGuitars]

It's not unsatisfactory. I just wanted to build a CNC machine for fun.

[@luckyyvan9568]

please where did you purchase those mechanical stuffs

[@HighlineGuitars]

The extrusions were purchased fro Misumi USA. The rest was purchased on eBay.

[@luckyyvan9568]

​@@HighlineGuitars thank you so much for your cnc machine,it's somehow unique,simple and worthy compared to alot of youtube cncs I've been seeing,it helped alot in my cnc planning,the only problem I have is replacing extrusions with wood,I don't know because my budget is not ready to work with those aluminum profiles.Is there any advice I can get from you?

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@luckyyvan9568 I can't recommend the use of wood for the rail supports. They are too long and any movement due to changes in humidity will flex the structure and cause problems.

[@luckyyvan9568]

Thx much once again for your advice,I will follow that and stick with extrusions no matter how long will take.Happy new year

[@absurdistcat]

Hi! Do you plan on making basses?

[@HighlineGuitars]

No.

[@absurdistcat]

@@HighlineGuitars Why not?

[@lemanxr]

Van you share dimention of frame profiles?

[@HighlineGuitars]

The plan is available at eguitarplans.com

[@lemanxr]

@@HighlineGuitars could you share at least stl files for nema engins?

[@lemanxr]

What does plans include? CAD or stl files?

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@lemanxr A full size parts layout, a list of the parts, and an assembly manual. The parts layout can be converted to a CAD format on zamzar.com for use in setting up the CAM process.

[@taciolps]

Do you provide the project?

[@HighlineGuitars]

The link is in the description above.

[@THRobinson]

I see the plans say 24x48...is that overall size? Or bed size?

[@HighlineGuitars]

That's overall. The working area is 21.25" on the X axis, 37" on the Y axis, and 5.9" on the Z axis.

[@jindrichvidensky990]

I made my router to drill fixing holes to base plate by itself. Of course it is not possible near the edges.

[@akfischer2736]

Oh..i see..plywood

[@janrezak4575]

Hello, send me the drawing. Well thank you

[@janrezak4575]

@@gzcwnk in what format are the files?

[@georgepuckett4552]

Can you purchase dxf file or vcarve I’ve access to cnc Don