razzark Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 I think a more knowledgeable member should list the bare minimum tools (and decent prices for them) to make a guitar and have that topic pinned, because I see alot of what tools do I need threads, and I was tempted to post one but if they had something like that pinned that would be cool and helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 router 200 bones at least a 1hp model... porter cable is the way to go, owned two craftsman didn't even compare. Get a mix bit set, tool shop brand at menards is a good starter kit. Porter cables model 100 is only 169 online Palm sander, makita makes some good ones. Drill press, after reading everyones post on it I am convinced that this is a must. can get a good used one various places, check pawn shops and ebay. 250$ This can be used as a buffer, edge sander, and can help carve a top with the right bit. Band saw if you can wing it. too many options, even a small bench top one is very useful, 200 bucks, used. Files, the four pack thay you can get at acehardware. Clamps, at least two pipe clamps to make body blanks. sand paper and blocks. soder gun, Planes if you plan on making a carved top. A set of chisels to clean up joints. ace hardware has a good set for cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbarstrat Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Some pictures I've seen indicate that some people use nothing more than a box-cutter to make a guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaper Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Some pictures I've seen indicate that some people use nothing more than a box-cutter to make a guitar. it depends on how much you want to make on your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Some pictures I've seen indicate that some people use nothing more than a box-cutter to make a guitar. don't worry...i get your joke...even if reaper does not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefm Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Heh...Well you need something to hold it together...so maybe a rusty butter knife and some chewing gum fishbake made some nice stuff with a minimum amount of tools... The trade off would be how much time it takes and the quality...you can do something with a chisel that you can do with a router....the router is quicker...less work and looks better.....but if you still can't justify it the chisel will work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 whatever joke is there I missed it... we talking about plastic wrap here? or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Jabsco Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 nah i think he is saying that some peoples guitars LOOK like they only used a box cutter, as in people make shitty cuts with expensive equpitment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcamp67 Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 nah i think he is saying that some peoples guitars LOOK like they only used a box cutter, as in people make shitty cuts with expensive equpitment nope, not it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar_ed Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Hi Razzark, In my opinion, it would be very difficult to create a definitive list of tools, much less their prices. A great deal of your tool choice depends on what you are doing. For instance, are you doing your PUP cavities by template or freehand? And, how do you prefer to work? Because freehand you can use either a router or a chisel. Same with a template. My suggestion would be, think about what type of work you are actually going to do and what type of tools you need to achieve that goal. I find that it helps to go to the store and look at the tools while planning. Go down and get some cheap woods and the tools and see if they work for you. This is the only way that I know of to develop the list of tools that you will need. And the price of the tools depends on the quality of the equipment that you buy. Same with buying guitars. Having said all of the above..... For making a guitar body, not neck, from a hunk of wood, what I need are: Band saw Router Orbiting spindle sander Long straight edge Pencil Hand held drill Drill bits Adjustable square/ruler Power sander of some sort With these, I can make a guitar body. Have fun, and welcome to the insanity. Guitar Ed One mans opinion in a very crowded field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hy_dro66 Posted June 19, 2004 Report Share Posted June 19, 2004 This is of no help to the original post but the boxcutter thing made me think of it. My boss said he went to a seminar where this dude built a classical guitar (that played and looked good) with a knife he made from a car bumper and rope clamping techniques. We use some of the rope clamping at the shop and it works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snork Posted June 19, 2004 Report Share Posted June 19, 2004 the only tools that i used on my jem were sand paper and a handsaw, i used a planer and a jointer though. and i used the dremel a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Bell Posted June 20, 2004 Report Share Posted June 20, 2004 the only tools that i used on my jem were sand paper and a handsaw, i used a planer and a jointer though. and i used the dremel a little. Have you got a picture of this jem? What did you use to route the pickup cavities, etc? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snork Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 i used a router bit on dremel. but stopped and used a friends router.. pics were up for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willliam_q Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 What tools, at the bare minimum would be required to make a good neck? I have the tools to make a body...i.e router, power sander, drill, drill press, clamps. Neck wise I have a 9" radius sanding block. I am not worried about the price..although i am a poor student i will stop at nothing until my guitar is finished. But i don't want to buy anyhting I don't need. I found the tutorial on fretting a new neck by brian very useful. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 The minimum number of tools are what you have at the time. Ive got five routers, and use a minimum of three just to rout a pickup cavity. But, i could get away with a hammer and a chisel if i had to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbarstrat Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 The minimum number of tools are what you have at the time. Ive got five routers, and use a minimum of three just to rout a pickup cavity. But, i could get away with a hammer and a chisel if i had to... Because the routers spin the other way around down there in Australia, right ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 The minimum number of tools are what you have at the time. Ive got five routers, and use a minimum of three just to rout a pickup cavity. But, i could get away with a hammer and a chisel if i had to... Because the routers spin the other way around down there in Australia, right ? yeah...the top spins instead of the bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 The minimum number of tools are what you have at the time. Ive got five routers, and use a minimum of three just to rout a pickup cavity. But, i could get away with a hammer and a chisel if i had to... Because the routers spin the other way around down there in Australia, right ? yeah...the top spins instead of the bit Always being clowns arent you guys!! No, the body of the guitar spins, and the router bit stays still. Why else would i need so many?? However, did you know if a router spins backwards, it actually ADDS wood to a cavity?? Try it one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbarstrat Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 The minimum number of tools are what you have at the time. Ive got five routers, and use a minimum of three just to rout a pickup cavity. But, i could get away with a hammer and a chisel if i had to... Because the routers spin the other way around down there in Australia, right ? yeah...the top spins instead of the bit and when the power cord is twisted up in a giant knot, he picks up another router. I think it's getting to be winter time there too, so maybe we better wish him a merry christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 However, did you know if a router spins backwards, it actually ADDS wood to a cavity?? Try it one day! that is quite the useful tip!i should pin this thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 The minimum number of tools are what you have at the time. Ive got five routers, and use a minimum of three just to rout a pickup cavity. But, i could get away with a hammer and a chisel if i had to... Because the routers spin the other way around down there in Australia, right ? yeah...the top spins instead of the bit and when the power cord is twisted up in a giant knot, he picks up another router. I think it's getting to be winter time there too, so maybe we better wish him a merry christmas You see guys!! I dont have to spell it all out, just give hints. With enough thought, you CAN be a master poobar luthier to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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