Re: [Harp-L] RE: BlowsMeAway - A new CNC machine

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

A  CNC milling machine would be suitable for making combs 
but definitely not for reeds or reedplates.

With ordinary machine tools, including CNC, you can...with 
great care....hold tolerances of .001" to .002".  However, 
the tolerances required for the reeds and slots in the 
plates (width, length, thickness profile, and rivet-hole 
location) must be about one tenth of that!  In production or 
in your shop, special-purpose, precise machines are 
required.  The clearance between the reed and plate is about 
.001", about half the diameter of a fine human hair. Those 
that emboss the reedplates think that is too much!

Designing a workable reed-making machine is challenging 
engineering task.  I have done it with only marginal 
success, (all afternoon to make and install one reed.)  I am 
about half way into the project of doing it again..hoping 
this time for a faster process.

If your goal is to enjoy overcoming the technical challenges 
of reed making, then go for it!    If your object is to get 
reeds, then buy them.  For either purpose, a commercial, 
general-purpose CNC milling machine would be a waste of 
money.

A CNC machine is well-suited to making combs.  Lots of 
people are doing it.

Vern

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Coble" <robertpcoble@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:13 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] RE: BlowsMeAway - A new CNC machine



Greg,

Would you please provide information on the new CNC milling 
machine (manufacturer, model number, software you are using, 
etc.)? I didn't see any information on your workshop and 
tools (or the new CNC milling machine) on your Web site.

Why would I ask such a crazy thing?!? Because I keep toying 
with the idea of getting some type of milling machine for 
exploring reed making (and possibly reed plate and comb 
making). As previously posted, I would love to experiment 
with some altered tunings for slideless valveless chromatic 
(i.e., Tombo Violin Scale Chromatic, No. 1577).

Which is a sure sign that I'm still:
Crazy Bob

> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 21:01:11 -0800
> From: Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Holiday Special and new grill designs 
> from
> BlowsMeAway Productions
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>
> Hi folks - I have finally realized my dream of getting a 
> CNC milling
> machine. That is the kind you can control with a computer. 
> The goal
> was to be able to offer custom and personalized microphone 
> grill
> designs for my line of custom wood mics. I've spent the 
> last few weeks
> learning the software and I've only scratched the surface, 
> but I've
> learned enough that I have two new grill designs to offer 
> immediately.
> I would not have been able to produce these without the 
> new machine. I
> will now be offering personalization to my customer base - 
> previously
> I could only do certain letters and restricted the 
> availability to pro
> performers.
> > Of course all the information is at the BlowsMeAway web 
> > site (http://www.blowsmeaway.com
> ) but here are some pics:
> "Waves" 
> "http://www.blowsmeaway.com/images/grills/waves_150.jpg
> "Smiles" 
> http://www.blowsmeaway.com/images/grills/smiles_150.jpg
> Personalization example: 
> http://www.blowsmeaway.com/images/grills/personalized_150.jpg
>
> Additionally, I'm offering a 10% discount off any order 
> over $100 from
> now through Christmas. That includes all wood mics and 
> Ultimate mics!
> Don't you owe yourself a little present?
>
> /Greg
>
> http://www.blowsmeaway.com
> http://www.bluestateband.net


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