Berserker

Save your money, buy quality tools. Never skimp on your tools. It will only hurt once!

Gil

Benchdog ProMax. Extension on my cabinet saw. It is awesome, built like a tank and is, of course, a big space saver.

Gil

I have a similar bit for template routing. Just be very careful. Use your table pins, make multiple passes and take of small amounts off at a time. These big bits can really take a chunk out of your blank......not to mention your hand. The only time I run into problems is when I try to make my router table into a shaper.....which it is not. Good luck, be careful.

Gil

Give these guys a call. Best blades and prices I've seen, very fast service and they will advise you what would be best for your particular need.

Woodcraftbrands.com

Good luck,

Gil

+1 to the Bondo. Haven't used it for any outer cosmetics yet....just for filling in oops' that the router might leave behind in cavities. Works like a charm, but damn it smells.

Gil

I've seen those and they are nice. I do a lot of woodworking aside from guitar building and recently purchased these:

Bowclamps

Very well-made and versatile. Just another option to take a look at.

Gil

Why not build your own? I found this design and built this one out of some hard maple I had left over in the shop. It is great for playing guitar and I liked it so much I built two more out of left over cedar. Mortise and tenon joinery, rock solid, and a lot cheaper than buying one.

I know that Rockler has swivel hardware that would help you build a more traditional swivel stool.

Gil

Yeah, they....Hechinger........realized it was a pricing mistake and pulled the page. It should be noted that they did not honor orders at the mistaken price. I know that at least 100 were ordered through the Woodnet forum. Lots of P.O.'d forumites over there. I've never done business with them before, and probably won't in the future. According to Woodnet, Hechinger's customer support was less than helpful or apologetic. I'll continue to keep my eyes open.

Gil

Carl,

I think your making a prudent choice. As I mentioned I love my sander.....but......I do a lot of other woodworking and the planer is invaluable in my shop. For instance if I'm making Adirondack chairs and have to mill many slats to thickness I would go bonkers if I had to do it with my Performax. It would take me waaaaaay too long. But as mentioned, for guitar building I, like the others, would strongly recommend a wide belt or drum sander. It will propel your work immeasurably. Enjoy your planer.

Gil

PS As long as your set on a planer the only thing I'd suggest is spending a bit more and going to a 220v 15". Just my .02.

Came across this from a member at the WoodNet forum.

Performax 22-44

That is an incredible price for one of these. I have owned one for about 6 months (don't know how I got along without it) and love it. Very helpful in the guitar building realm.

Gil

Take a look at these

Whiteside Template bits from Holbren

A second for Whiteside. The only bits I ever use. And Holbren seems to have some of the best prices for said bits.

Gil

I'm in agreement with Mattia. Hard to find pin routers for the hobbiest. The good older machines are $$$ and most need 3 phase power. I have looked quite a while at pin routers and have come to the conclusion that for not much more money some pretty good CNC router set-ups can be had. And the prices on those machines are getting cheaper all the time, now with more competitors catering to the hobbiests. I've done well with my bandsaw and template router set-up up to this point. I'll stay with that until I pull the trigger on a CNC. Good luck with your search.

Gil

I agree with the Performax. I have the 22-44 and don't know how I got along all this time without it. That being said, there are plenty of times I do need to hog off a lot of material on a project (not just guitars) and that's where a thickness planer excels. Simply put, I use my planer to dimension my rough lumber and my Performax to sander to do the finishing. I had a Delta 22-580 and loved it, but recently upgraded to a Grizzly G0453 15" http://grizzly.com/products/15-Planer/G0453

I'm not a rich guy, but always try and buy quality tools. With tools the more expensive quality tools hurt only once (at purchase time). Second rate tools will hurt every time you fire it up or have to replace it. Good luck.

Gil

Building a VHR '52 Tele clone and would like opinions (suggestions) for pot and cap values. I have a SD mini-humbucker in the neck and a Fralin Stock Tele Replacement Style BRIDGE @ 6.6k in the bridge. I have CTS pots in both 500k and 250k varieties available and a supply of both .022 and .047 orange drop caps. I'm trying to duplicate (within reason, of course) the tone of the stock VHR '52, if possible. Any suggestions as to what combinations I should use to attain this? I'm wondering if the higher value pots will muddy the highs too much for a tele sound. Thanks for all your help.

Gil

I really love your geet stand. Did you steam bend the wood or use veneers in molds? Good craftsmanship, partner.

Gil