How We Used a RAVEN CNC to Make Custom Guitar Pedals

What if you could design and build your own custom guitar pedals entirely in your shop?

We decided to find out.

Using the CarveWright RAVEN™ CNC system, we created fully functional guitar pedals — including a classic Big Muff–style fuzz and a clean boost pedal. From machining custom circuit boards to engraving aluminum enclosures, the RAVEN handled every step with precision.

Here’s exactly how we did it.

Finding Guitar Pedal Circuit Schematics Online

To begin, we searched online for downloadable circuit schematics in DXF format.

We chose two classic designs:

• Big Muff–style fuzz pedal
• Clean boost pedal

Many DIY electronics communities share PCB layouts as DXF files. Because these files are already vector-based, they are perfect for CNC routing.

Sure, we could have ordered pre-etched boards and called it a day. But we’re makers and we wanted to see if we could do it all with our RAVEN.

Importing DXF Files into CarveWright Designer

Next, we opened the files inside CarveWright Designer 5 using the DXF Layout Add-on.

The DXF Layout Add-on allowed us to:

• Import the PCB vector paths directly
• Assign routing bits to trace paths
• Set pocketing operations
• Define drill locations for component leads

Since the file already contained precise trace geometry, setup was straightforward. We simply assigned the appropriate tools and cutting depths.

This step is where the RAVEN CNC shines. The precision and repeatability make it ideal for detailed circuit routing.

Cutting PCB Boards with the RAVEN CNC

To machine the circuit boards, we used our dedicated circuit cutting jig, which you can see here:

👉 https://carvewright.com/cutting-pcb-circuit-boards-with-raven/

This jig ensures:

• Secure PCB material hold-down
• Accurate depth control
• Clean trace separation

Once loaded, the RAVEN CNC system cut the board traces, pockets, and drill holes with excellent accuracy.

The result?

Clean, usable circuit boards ready for components.

Designing Custom Graphics for the Pedal Enclosures

Of course, great tone deserves great design.

After finishing the PCBs, we turned our attention to the pedal enclosures.

We started by purchasing aluminum pedal blanks online. Then, we designed the artwork in Adobe Illustrator, keeping it simple with clean line work — the plan was to spray the enclosure black and sand it back so only the engraved lines would hold paint.

Once the design was ready, we exported it as SVG files and imported them into Designer 5, where we assigned the V-bit and other tools to the various paths.

Using the RAVEN Universal Jig, we secured the aluminum enclosures and machined the surface designs directly into the metal.

The RAVEN handled the aluminum beautifully. The engraving was crisp, clean, and professional.

Final Assembly and Studio Testing

After machining, we drilled the necessary side holes for jacks and power connections. Then we:

• Installed the electronic components
• Soldered connections
• Mounted the boards inside the enclosures
• Attached knobs and hardware

Finally, we took the pedals into the studio for testing.

The verdict?

They worked perfectly — and they sounded great.

Our bandmates were impressed not only with the tone, but with the fact that the entire project was built in-house using a compact CNC machine.

Why the RAVEN CNC Is Perfect for Electronics and Custom Projects

This project highlights something important:

The CarveWright RAVEN CNC is not just for woodworking.

Because of its precision, rigidity, and material flexibility, it can handle:

• PCB circuit routing
• Aluminum engraving
• Custom hardware projects
• Small production runs
• One-of-a-kind prototypes

Even better, the RAVEN’s compact footprint makes it easy to use in a garage workshop without dedicating permanent space.

Can You Make Guitar Pedals with a CNC?

Absolutely.

If you can find or design a DXF file, the RAVEN CNC gives you the tools to:

• Machine custom PCB boards
• Engrave aluminum enclosures
• Create professional-looking finished products
• Prototype new pedal designs

From circuit trace to stage-ready gear, the entire workflow can happen in your shop.

Final Thoughts

Making guitar pedals with a CNC opens up an entirely new world for musicians, engineers, and makers.

With the precision of the CarveWright RAVEN CNC, you can move beyond woodworking and into functional electronics fabrication — all while maintaining the flexibility of a compact, garage-friendly machine.

And best of all?

They don’t just look good.

They sound great.