How long does it take to make a guitar body

[Gabriel]

Hi,
I'm evaluating the option of buying a shopbot, and I would like to know how long it would take to carve an electric guitar body. i know that it depends on the complexity and how the CAM was done, but if anybody knows more ore less the time it should take for each piece it would be great help
thanks
Gabriel

[rgbrown@itexas.net]

Gabriel,

I think you have too many options open to calculate anything. If all you need is a perimeter cut and round over the edges a specialty bit might do that in a minute. The same bit could mortise the holes for the pickups and such. If the body is truly "carved" it could take an hour a square foot. A creative "Botter" will have learend ways to speed operations and do seevral operations on the same "hold-down" and set-up.

Once set-up, I can all but guarantee it will be the faster than almost any other way. I an guarantee it will be more accurate than one usually imagines.

Ron

[sheldon@dingwallguitars.com]

We don't do carved tops - at least not yet. Based on our neck carving and belly cut times, 30 to 45 minutes would do a top provided you had efficient tool paths and a large radius cutter.

Slab style bodies with an arm contour and belly cut take about 30 minutes with a dual Z.

I am not finding the Shopbot to be any faster or accurate than a pin router, however it's a lot easier to make revisions once you get competent.