baze7 Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Ok, I have the basic tools, Jig Saw, Tablesaw Router. I am now ready to build my first neck. What tools could I buy to help me with this?? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernova9 Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Ok, I have the basic tools, Jig Saw, Tablesaw Router. I am now ready to build my first neck. What tools could I buy to help me with this?? Thanks You don't need any more than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 My 'neck making toolkit' looks something like this: Fingerboard shaping: Router: jig to cut basic radius Radius sanding block: clean up/fine-tune radius StewMac mitre box/template/Japanese handsaw: slot fingerboard Fretting: look that up elsewhere, or this gets silly Shaping the neck: Router: truss rod, CF rod channels, template routing outline Half-round rasp: neck shaping Japanese hacksaw rasp: neck shaping Microplane rasp: flat rasp, fast bulk removal Drum sander: certain contours, headstock transition on a strat-style headstock scrapers, various shapes: fine-tuning neck carve/transitional areas Sanding blocks: long, flat blocks, get rid of lengthwise lumps sandpaper: thick backed, for 'shoeshining' the neck to even out the carve Straightedge/Light/hands: use a straightedge, light/shadows and your fingers to feel when it's done Some people like spokeshaves, I'm not wild about them. Maybe because mine are lousy, but a rasp is just as fast, and I like to mix it up a little as to which rasp I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegarehanman Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I like to use a half round rasp to carve the headstock and heel areas, then connect the two with a spokeshave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammy Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 I like to use a half round rasp to carve the headstock and heel areas, then connect the two with a spokeshave. Ditto, apart from I do the rough carving on a bobbin sander, then a little sanding in the "shoeshining" fashion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ledzendrix1128 Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 sweet, i did the same thing with mine, lets start a club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninoman123 Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 Wasnt there a company that made necks using a lathe? They would put two necks face to face and then sand them down that say? Seems like the neck would be very boat shaped but perhaps not. That would be cool to try if you needed two necks or to mass produce necks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted February 4, 2006 Report Share Posted February 4, 2006 (edited) A hand plane and straightedge are essential in getting the neck blank flat and true. A stationary electric planer is nice also and a lot faster - but you still need to ensure that the board is flat. If you're making the fretboard yourself, you'll also need a band saw to resaw the wood unless you want to spend time trying to find the proper piece of wood, already thicknessed to 1/4". Radius blocks for sanding a radidus on your fretboard and levelling frets after they're installed. The stew-mac fretting saw and miter box are really nice for cutting slots. A small hammer or fret press to install frets. Small pliers to cut the fret wire. A metal file to file down the fret ends (if its a bound neck, its a different story - you'll need to cut the tang on the frets). A drill press to cut the tuner holes and drill bolt holes for attaching to the body. A coping saw or scroll saw to cut the peg head design. Clamps to glue stuff together. Rasps and wood files and maybe a spokeshape to contour the back of the neck. If you plan on doing inlays, you may need more tools. Edited February 4, 2006 by guitar2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jehle Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 I've been able to make a neck with just the following. An electric drill with drill bits and a drum sander. A Swiss army knife. A rasp. Sand paper. Frets installed with... A hammer. Wire cutters. A bastard file. A coping saw. Aside from the drill, those are all hand tools. I could even use a hand drill if I needed to. I seem to be using power tools less and less. I think I just know where they do the most good. The really fine touches have to be done by hand in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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