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Post by sbgodofmetal on Apr 24, 2012 23:07:10 GMT -5
Ok can anyone (cough cough.... cynical1...cough cough.... ) tell us what tools that no shop/luthier can do without? There's so many products out there on the market so let's separate the crap luxury from the can't function without. Ok so let's start out basic work tools what do we NEED to construct body blanks and then the body itself?
(Please include pictures)
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Post by cynical1 on Apr 25, 2012 8:10:01 GMT -5
I spent the better part of 30 years collecting and making tools and fixtures. Most of them went under water in 2008, so I'm in the process of re-acquiring them myself.
The best advise I can give you is to look for a builder in your area and apprentice. The tools are worthless if you don't have the skills or knowledge to use them.
There are no Cliff Notes for this, and right now I just don't have the luxury of time to respond to this request in detail.
HTC1
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Post by sbgodofmetal on Apr 25, 2012 22:10:25 GMT -5
Ok basic setup tools for body construction...
1. Either a band saw(prefered) or a saber saw (that's a jig saw) or both.
2. Either a drill press(prefered) or a handheld drill (be sure of the steadyness of your hands first accuracy is key to a successful build)
3. A power sander (type of sanders vary widely so its mostly left to personal preferance on which you'll use)
4.screwdrivers (both philips and flathead in various sizes)
5. Small sized wrenches (for pots and jacks)
6. Various sized c clamps, bar clamps, and a generous supply of wood glue
7. Router (those pup cavities, control cavities and neck pockets don't magically appear ya know )
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Post by sbgodofmetal on Apr 25, 2012 22:21:23 GMT -5
Basic setup tools for neck construction
1. Drill (refer to body setup guide)
2. Band saw/saber saw
3. Rotary sander (for neck heel and contour)
4. Various clamps for multi piece necks and setting fret boards
5. Router (for those truss rod cavities)
6. Vaious sized and grits of rasps for final shaping of the neck profile
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Post by cynical1 on Apr 26, 2012 5:37:30 GMT -5
I know we've had this discussion here before. I remember putting together a list of tools and the reasons they were important and approximate costs.
I remember two benchmarks, depending on the level of output you anticipate. For the "once every blue moon" type of output I recall the number coming in around $2000.00-$2,500.00. For the "I want to be a luthier" types figure $5,000.00-$7500.00 MINIMUM...and that's picking most of the larger tools up at auction or State surplus. Do it for a few decades and that number escalates accordingly.
If you're serious find a pattern shop, cabinet shop or a working luthier and ask for a tour. Make a list of what you see and start building your arsenal. Plan on dedicating at least 300-500 square feet of shop space to accommodate all stages of production and finishing.
Trying to do this with a short selection of hand tools from Menards is a recipe for misery and diminished expectations. If your drills, saws, sanders, router tables don't bolt to the floor then you're not taking it seriously enough. Hand tools have their place, and most luthier hand tools are specialized and cost accordingly.
Long and short of it is that a proper list of tools required to go into production would be pages long. Even a small shop takes a couple of pages to detail out as the different stages of construction require a different assortment of tools.
I'm not trying to be vague intentionally. There are already sites out there that will walk you through setting up a good wood working shop. They've already done the work and will steer you in the right direction. Once the wood working shop is set up then you can start filling in the luthier specific tools...and there are quite a few of them. Most of your expense goes into tools for building and setting up the neck, as this is the most critical component on any guitar or bass. If you can't start naming them off the top of your head then you need to do some research.
If your serious you'll do your own homework. Plan on spending some time gathering all of these tools, unless you happen to be flush for cash. I spent 30 years doing it and there were still items on the wish list...after the flood it's all wish list now...
Gotta run
HTC1
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Post by sbgodofmetal on Apr 26, 2012 22:50:03 GMT -5
Thanks cynical, as always I welcome your comments and input. Its greatly appreatiated. This was meant for some one wanting to attempt a first build rather than start a shop. Someone who has the patience to work at it at a slow pace using basic tools over an extended period rather than turning out one every few days.
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Post by quarry on Apr 27, 2012 3:37:53 GMT -5
As a guitar tech, here are some very simple items I seem to use on an almost daily basis...  A pair of "cantaloupe" neck rests that I made myself. One for electrics, the other, acoustics...  Screw-shooter mounted string winder, action gauge, and a tool for loosening/tightening every nut on a guitar...  My glues and cleaners of choice...  And a three-sided nail buffer, that I find extremely useful for buffing frets! Nothing earth-scattering. But I gotsta have 'em. ;D |
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Post by cynical1 on Apr 27, 2012 5:02:22 GMT -5
This was meant for some one wanting to attempt a first build rather than start a shop. Someone who has the patience to work at it at a slow pace using basic tools over an extended period rather than turning out one every few days. From my experience, giving a man a fish feeds him for a day. Teaching him to fish on an Internet forum generally leads to him putting the hook in his eye. Any number of the tools required to build a guitar can do serious injury if used improperly. I have always worked to determine anyone's ability and experience here before I just dole out information. I don't need someone acquiring the nickname "Stubby" on my account. About a year ago I walked through the answers to your question in the Tonewoods thread. It's searchable, because I found it there last night. Again, I go back to my original statement. If you want to build guitars, or do any type of woodworking, do your homework. Read everything you can from established builders. Learn what they use. Learn about the tools and the safe operation of said tools. There is no short list, IMHO. A standard apprenticeship in the industry is 3-5 years. The masters in the craft can point to more time invested then that before they jumped out on their own. If you just want to be a wood butcher then head off to Menards and spend $200.00 on a random assortment of tools and have at it. If you want to be a luthier plan on investing a good deal of time and money on the craft. The quality of the work you do will be a direct reflection on the time and effort you spent learning your craft. HTC1 |
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Post by reTrEaD on Apr 27, 2012 6:01:40 GMT -5
From my experience, giving a man a fish feeds him for a day. Teaching him to fish on an Internet forum generally leads to him putting the hook in his eye. I think I just peed a little. >.< |
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Post by sbgodofmetal on Apr 29, 2012 23:18:25 GMT -5
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