Price?

[stephansv2002]

Hey all I ve just gotten finished figuring everything I need for my first guitat and it'll cost around 600 I think but im sure im missing something lol but the question I have is how much are the tools? i figured around 550 but I've been told others only paid aroun 200, i went to the link containing tools for the job but do I need all of that? I picked one of each from each catagory but its still 550....so any help?

[Dugz Ink]

Here's my personal opinion; buy the basics, and add on as your experience increases.

Personally, I have so many tools that I have JUST enough room to work in my 1-car garage... and there are days when I wish I still had more stuff. My shop is so full, I don't even have room for a shop-vac... literally! But I came really close to buying a nice (used) bench-mount planer the other day. The only thing that stopped me was lack of floor space.

However, I didn't always have so many tools... but I have always done woodworking.

The point is, you can spend thousands of dollars (or euros, or whatever) and still not have everything you want. That's just a fact of life. So buy the basics, and learn how to use THOSE tools. Then you'll have a better idea of what tools will really help... and which tools would just be cool to have.

D~s

[stephansv2002]

Thnx, but what are the basics? lol I figured that a drill, dremmel (saw) w/ a router attachment and some sand paper and of coarse when im finished, the paint and what not but as for builing..are rasps and files very important for my first? My design is actually kinda difficult....but not at the same time there are some curves and itll more than likely be flat...so what do you think?

[skibum5545]

For my bass body, all I needed was a router, a 1/4" carbide bit, a 1/4" roundover bit, a spokeshave, and a bandsaw. I would have -really- liked an oscillating spindle sander, but that is not a necessity.

[jay5]

You will find that whenever someone asks this question it eventually comes down to this; you could build a guitar with a pocket knife if you wanted to. It all depends on how skilled you are with it. The more specialized a tool is generally the faster you will get your result. Desired or otherwise is another question. You could cut out a body with a $5 coping saw, it would just take a lot longer than if you were using a bandsaw. It is probably safe to say that you would need a little higher skill level with the coping saw than with a bandsaw, although a coping saw isnt the toughest tool to use Similarly, you could do all your pickup/neck routs with a chisel and a mallet. Probably cheaper than a router and bits (could be dabated I guess) but again it all comes down to skill with your tools. A template bit in a router is more likely to give a good result than an unexperienced woodworker with a chisel. So, to answer your question, no, you dont "need all of that". I would HIGHLY reccomend a good router with a few good bits. I think that is the one tool that everyone will agree on. A drill press is a good idea if you need really accurate holes (ie. stringthrough bodies) but not essential. The bandsaw debate is also somthing you will have to decide on as well. I have gotten along without one, but it would be nice to have. I would also advise you to not try to stretch your $$ and get many tools but spend wisely and get good ones. Eopinions.com is a good place to look up tool reviews. Anyway, im rambling. Good luck and let us know if you run into any problems.