Building Guitars: Inverted Routers vs. CNC
BILT Guitars, CR Onsrud
The CR Onsrud inverted router allows BILT's Tim Thielen to precisely follow custom designs.

Custom guitar manufacturer BILT Guitars, Des Moines, IA, built its shop to include the CR Onsrud Inverted Router as a key piece of woodworking machinery. The high-end boutique shop has been crafting instruments by hand since it was founded in 2011, and explains the advantages of an Inverted Router in produce custom guitar body silhouettes. Using unique jigs and templates, hand selected lumber is machined into instruments that resonate with authentic sounds that is sought after by performers.

BILT Guitars is owned and operated by Bill Henss and Tim Thelen.

"We're a small company," the duo tells customers visiting their site. "Unless the proverbial ship comes in, you will more than likely be talking directly to the guy who is going to be carving your neck. We actually like it that way because we can find out exactly what you need and deliver it."

While CNC machinery has claimed a spot within giants like Gibson and Taylor guitars, providing speed, precision and manufacturing consistency, BILT uses the CR Onsrud Inverted Router as a craftsman tool to achieve similar precision, with added safety of a router blade well under control. Because of the safety features of the machine's design, using an Inverted Router allows the operator to keep hands safe.   

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.