Stevedimebag
Established Member
Hey, just wondering which tools you would all recommend to me. I am looking to build guitars as a hobby.
Steve
Steve
Guitars
- Thread starter Stevedimebag
- Start date
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Welcome Steve
Is it a electric or acoustic ?
In ways both require a polar opposite collection tooling wise .
Are you planning to make the fretboard ?
Is it a electric or acoustic ?
In ways both require a polar opposite collection tooling wise .
Are you planning to make the fretboard ?
Hand tools or machines/ power tools?
making-a-ukulele-t100091.html
w-i-p-fretless-bass-guitar-t96696.html
making-a-ukulele-t100091.html
w-i-p-fretless-bass-guitar-t96696.html
bugbear
Established Member
Stevedimebag":9ncb08qr said:
What is your existing woodworking experience and tool set?
BugBear
profchris
Established Member
The "Making a ukulele" thread (in all its tedious detail) is mine. Acoustic guitar making doesn't require any more tools, though bigger versions might be useful for some elements.
The only near-specialist tool needed is a saw whose kerf matches the fretwire tang. A fret rounding file makes crowning easier, and nut files make nut slotting easier.
Otherwise I'd say minimum hand tool kit is:
Panel saw (hardpoint would do)
Backsaw (to match fretwire, used for other precision cuts)
Chisels - 1/2, 1/4 inch. 1/8 inch is handy for a couple of operations.
Planes - smoothing, block
Drill
Cabinet scraper
Lots and lots of clamps
Piece of pipe and heat gun for side bending
Side cutters, file and hammer for fretting
Most of the other tools I use are mentioned in the thread.
And of course, you can buy loads of specialist tools at high prices (look up gramil), but can manage without.
I've built a guitar using this kit, so I know it can be done.
The only near-specialist tool needed is a saw whose kerf matches the fretwire tang. A fret rounding file makes crowning easier, and nut files make nut slotting easier.
Otherwise I'd say minimum hand tool kit is:
Panel saw (hardpoint would do)
Backsaw (to match fretwire, used for other precision cuts)
Chisels - 1/2, 1/4 inch. 1/8 inch is handy for a couple of operations.
Planes - smoothing, block
Drill
Cabinet scraper
Lots and lots of clamps
Piece of pipe and heat gun for side bending
Side cutters, file and hammer for fretting
Most of the other tools I use are mentioned in the thread.
And of course, you can buy loads of specialist tools at high prices (look up gramil), but can manage without.
I've built a guitar using this kit, so I know it can be done.
AJB Temple
Finely figured
I agree with Prof Chris. I've made quite a few electric and acoustic guitars over the years, and started out with very basic instruments. Electric guitars need cavities hollowed of course, and now I would use a router, but when I started I only had a drill and chisels so I used them.
Personally I like to use a spokeshave for neck shaping.
Other tools become useful if you want to get decorative. Doing inlays and binding means you need to buy or make suitable tools and a jewellers fret saw is a necessity for cutting things like abalone.
PS: a soldering iron is also a must have if you are adding pickups etc!
Personally I like to use a spokeshave for neck shaping.
Other tools become useful if you want to get decorative. Doing inlays and binding means you need to buy or make suitable tools and a jewellers fret saw is a necessity for cutting things like abalone.
PS: a soldering iron is also a must have if you are adding pickups etc!
Stevedimebag
Established Member
Thanks folks. It's electrics. I have built one or two already and I'm just steadily gathering a tool collection.
I'm hoping to build my own neck for the first time in the next build so may invest in a dookeshave and perhaps a Shinto sawrasp.
Also trying to get my hands on a bandsaw.
I'm hoping to build my own neck for the first time in the next build so may invest in a dookeshave and perhaps a Shinto sawrasp.
Also trying to get my hands on a bandsaw.
Stevedimebag
Established Member
NazNomad":2mxvu34y said:
I used to own one...
whiskywill
Established Member
profchris":2u79ft9q said:
I didn't know that is what they are called. I have just gramilled a tenor uke.
bertikus_maximus
Established Member
I think it'd be worth your while checking out the Crimson Guitars YouTube channel. Ben Crowe is an excellent luthier and the videos he has on his channel might give you some insight into the tools he uses to build guitars. Might also be worth dropping him an email as he seems a friendly chap who I am sure can guide you. \m/
Sawdust=manglitter
Established Member
JonnyW":289fuz2r said:
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Stevedimebag
Established Member
bertikus_maximus":14dr2lzn said:
That's my bible bud. Already ordered from him. His vids are great - all the info delivered at just the right pace. So many tutorials etc are done too slow or in a patronising style.
bugbear
Established Member
bertikus_maximus":efr4c77e said:
The Crimson way is tool-heavy, even by my standards!
BugBear
bugbear
Established Member
Is dookeshave:Stevedimebag":38p9i6hj said:
a) a very specialised tool beyond even google's reach?
b) a pun you've just made?
c) a typo?
I was going to see what it was, and offer comment, but...
BugBear
Stevedimebag
Established Member
bugbear":t6vxrh3g said:
Hahaha
Maybe it could be a new tool that I just invented. Anyone got any suggestions as to what it could be?
I meant to type spokeshave
Ben is indeed a nice guy. I met him at Yandles show a year or two ago, he helped me choose a Planer Thicknesser for my own workshop.
I built a solid body electric guitar many years ago for my GCSE project, still have it to this day, need to make a wall bracket for it actually. I intend to build another this year but of the ergonomic hollow body variety this time.
I built a solid body electric guitar many years ago for my GCSE project, still have it to this day, need to make a wall bracket for it actually. I intend to build another this year but of the ergonomic hollow body variety this time.
bugbear
Established Member
Stevedimebag":38uicukw said:
In a world where "bowscrapers" exist, I could have readily believed that someone had made a special tool for guitar necks, and called it a dookeshave.
BugBear
