# Guitar making with x-carve **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [March 8, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991 "2017-03-08T19:31:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/1 "2017-03-08T19:31:08Z")
So I’m trying to make fender type guitar with x carve Does anybody have suggestions for this? When I’m carving it goes off the path and does similar things How can I fix these issues? P.S I have the first generation x carve ---
**Author:** ![JeremiahRandolph](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/jeremiahrandolph/32/69339_2.png) [@JeremiahRandolph](https://community.inventables.com/u/JeremiahRandolph)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/2 "2017-03-08T19:33:47Z")
[https://community.inventables.com/search?q=fender](https://community.inventables.com/search?q=fender) This should give you a starting point. Just search fender on the forums. ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 6:09am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/5 "2017-03-09T06:09:00Z")
The main problem is that the machine randomly goes off the path ---
**Author:** ![HaldorLonningdal](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/haldorlonningdal/32/72377_2.png) [@HaldorLonningdal](https://community.inventables.com/u/HaldorLonningdal)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 7:29am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/6 "2017-03-09T07:29:51Z")
The Xcarve is open loop system, the machine is told to go to certain spots but there is no verification/feedback of it actually getting there. Its all based on assumption (open). If for some reason it skips some steps it may continue to carve but now with an offset. I think this is what you are describing. Finiding the cause for it to skip/miss steps is a wider topic, it can relate to mechnical friction, too aggresive cut rates (both in speed and depth per cut), end bit not perpedicular to the work piece, motor drivers set too low (not entirely unlikely if your first gen. Xcarve use Arduino/shield combo), faults etc. Basically your question cover every aspect of your system, now is the time to start in one end and cover your bases and hopefully we can help you sort it out. As of right now it could be anything to us. Give us information about: Bit used, diameter and brand if possible Cutting speed, inches per minute Depth per pass Material to be carved Spindle used Arduino or Xcontroller Nema17 or Nema 23 motors ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 7:57am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/7 "2017-03-09T07:57:43Z")
I use 1/4 flat end mill Cutting speed is 1400mm per minute Depth per pass is 3mm Material is oak Spindle is DeWalt 611 Arduino And nema 23 ---
**Author:** ![HaldorLonningdal](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/haldorlonningdal/32/72377_2.png) [@HaldorLonningdal](https://community.inventables.com/u/HaldorLonningdal)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 8:19am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/8 "2017-03-09T08:19:31Z")
Thank you Ernests, lot of good info there. Have you performed any calibration of your stepper drivers? (Adjusted the motor current?) What kind of motor drivers are your Arduino/shield hooked up to? 1400mm per minute @ 3mm per pass in oak seem a little on the high side? ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 10:14am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/9 "2017-03-09T10:14:08Z")
I didn’t perform any calibration or adjusted the motor current! ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 10:14am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/10 "2017-03-09T10:14:30Z")
Is there any instructions for doing that? ---
**Author:** ![HaldorLonningdal](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/haldorlonningdal/32/72377_2.png) [@HaldorLonningdal](https://community.inventables.com/u/HaldorLonningdal)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 10:28am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/11 "2017-03-09T10:28:13Z")
This is a very good video describing the method provided you have the G-shield and individual drivers. It is a rather simple procedure but you need a (digital) voltmeter. > **[Pololu - Video: Setting the Current Limit on Pololu Stepper Motor Driver...](https://www.pololu.com/blog/484/video-setting-the-current-limit-on-pololu-stepper-motor-driver-carriers)** > > One of my many roles here at Pololu is overseeing technical support, and I have seen countless cases of customers who have problems with their stepper motor systems because they have not properly set the current limit on their stepper motor driver. ... I believe your main issue is mechanical overload / missing steps due to too aggressive cut in oak. (I searched for speed references and they are at about 800-1000mm per minute and \<1,5mm depth per cut with a 1/4" bit. ) However, you will benefit from getting the most you can from your motor drivers as the Nema23’s are not given enough juice as-is. ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/12 "2017-03-15T19:59:07Z")
Thanks for suggestions! I did the stepper motor calibration and it cut 2 guitars out really good! Now I’m cutting new one and there is some issues. It is going off the path again, all the belts and pulleys are tigh. Can the problem be in Arduino/Gshield? ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/14 "2017-03-15T20:16:25Z")
Yes, I adjusted motor current! How do you calibrate them? ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/17 "2017-03-15T20:25:49Z")
So the problem isn’t in electronics? ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/19 "2017-03-15T20:52:30Z")
It does that after quite a long time After carving the home position changes for few milimeters The belts are pretty tensioned I use 1/4 2 flute end mill I didn’t check pullies only Vwheels ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/22 "2017-03-15T21:15:13Z")
How can you chech pullies? ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/23 "2017-03-15T21:17:09Z")
Feed rate is 1400mm per minute And depth per pass is 3mm ---
**Author:** ![Ernests](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ernests](https://community.inventables.com/u/Ernests)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 9:28am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/guitar-making-with-x-carve/34991/26 "2017-03-16T09:28:17Z")
For 2 pulleys the set screws weren’ t on the flat side Now it’s working fine Thanks for your suggestions!