Uploaded April 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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Here is a short video of a rough test cut to see if it is possible to cut a RF-shield from 0.1 mm copper sheet to back a Fender Stratocaster pickguard. The video is speeded up 8x.

This test sheet is only 300 x 200 mm and is not wide enough to accommodate the full cut and therefore rides up and creases at the edge in two places. The cut would have executed perfectly if a wider sheet was used. However, the piece is still salvageable and able to be glued to the back of the pick guard (which is for a Fender Stratocaster modified to Brian May specification with three Burns Tri-Sonic pickups and six way switching system.

CNC machine: Stepcraft 2/840
Spindle: StoneyCNC small industrial HF spindle
Spindle speed: 600 rpm
XY feed rate: 400 mm/min
Z plunge rate: 30 mm/min
Depth per pass (0.1 mm on a single pass only)
Cutter: Trend solid carbide 90 V-groove
Material: 0.1 mm copper sheet/foil
Hold down: Sellotape low tack craft double-sided adhesive tape

Please check out my other YouTube videos and visit my website, dsgb.net for a wealth of information on Brian May's guitars and musical equipment, event reviews and other guitar related projects.

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