How do you quickly produce repeatably precise necks without using a CNC? We made our own wood carving duplicator for just this purpose. It works like a charm. It enables us to copy a master pattern in amazing detail using a compact router on one side and a stylus on the other. The router and stylus are counterbalanced and move in the X axis via a 16mm linear rail shaft guide support, and in the Y axis through bearings riding on 25.4mm stainless square tubular stainless-steel rails.
Some of you who have been following this series of Manufacturing Thor posts may be wondering: why not just use a CNC? I’ll get to it eventually. I just need time to prepare. Time that I do not have right now. In the meantime, I welcome suggestions. There are more options now than ever before, and prices have fallen dramatically in recent years.