LuthierPRO

About the Machine

LuthierPRO is a benchtop CNC router built for guitar making and small-shop production. It runs an AMB Kress 1050 FME-P spindle rated at 600 W effective mechanical power across a 5,000 to 25,000 RPM range, held in an ER16 collet. Motion uses a recirculating ball screw on the Z axis and GT2 10 mm timing belts on X and Y, driven by a LuthierBOX controller with Trinamic TMC2160 drivers. It connects over USB and runs GRBL, so it drives directly from Easel. The base LuthierPRO has an 830 x 870 x 90 mm working area; the LuthierPRO Oversize extends this to 1160 x 870 x 90 mm. Each machine ships with a 3 year Easel PRO subscription.

Cut Settings on this Machine

Every cut starts with one formula: Feed Rate = Spindle Speed (RPM) x Chip Load x Number of Cutting Edges (flutes). Chip load is the thickness of material each cutting edge removes in one revolution of the bit. This number comes from the manufacturer of the bit, which publishes a chip-load chart for each bit diameter and material. Look up your exact bit and material, start from the middle of the published range, and you have the third number in the formula. The chart below shows the recommended spindle speed for each material and bit type.

The LuthierPRO runs an AMB Kress 1050 FME-P spindle, 600 W of effective mechanical power from 5,000 to 25,000 RPM, held in an ER16 collet. That is a genuine router spindle with real torque, so this machine cuts wood, composites, plastics and non-ferrous metals confidently rather than tentatively. The Z axis rides on a recirculating ball screw, which holds depth precisely, while X and Y use GT2 timing belts. A rigid machine with a strong spindle can take a deep pass, but the fastest way to dial in a cut is to start from settings that have already worked for other people. Look up your bit and material, start in the middle of the published chip-load range, and adjust from there.

Worked example for feed rate: 1/8in (3.175mm) two-flute solid carbide end mill in hard wood. The chart says 16,000 RPM, well within the AMB Kress spindle's 5,000 to 25,000 RPM range. With the bit maker's 0.025mm per tooth (0.0010 in): 16,000 x 0.025 x 2 = 800 mm/min (31 in/min) feed. For depth per pass, start shallow and check Community Cut Settings in Easel for what works on this machine. If the cut sounds strained, reduce the depth, not the feed. Slowing the feed below the chip load makes the bit rub instead of cut.

Community Cut Settings shows the spindle speed, feed rate, and depth per pass other makers actually run for your machine, material, and bit.