Advice wanted for tools of the trade for a newbie

[willcall]

Hi all, with the strong $ atm I am looking at importing some parts to build my first guitar. My aim is to use all Australian timbers to build a Jazzmaster style electric.
As I have never made a guitar before (excluding a high school project where I made a full size model of a guitar) some advice on the neccessary tools would be much appreciated.
I have various (old) planes and chisels, rasps, files etc, a drill press, drop saw, electric plane and a few odds and ends lying around.

I don't plan on making an highly skilled piece first up so I will be using pine or something as a test run.
Afterwhich, I would like to build a Mountain ash fiddleback drop top and back with xxx body and Qld. maple neck.
Ultimately, I would like to obtain a finish and quality similar to that of Stu and JB on the forum here. Their work is amazing, as good as any of the US boutique brands I have seen which sell for around $5,000.

To do this I think I am going to need a lot of patience and time not to mention quality tools and advice from the forum.

Can anyone help with some ideas on tools etc.?
I think my first step will be to get my hands on a guitar making book.

Cheers, Will

[Allen]

Tell us a bit about what you've got in the way of workspace, and tools already. That will help out with some of the recommendations.

All instruments that have frets are going to need a method of installing, leveling, dressing etc. Stew Mac has an fretting essential kit that will put you on the right track. Not all are necessary, as you may already have some tools on hand that will work for some that they are offering.

As you are interested in electrics, a lot of the specialised bending apparatus that we use in acoustics isn't going to be necessary. If you think that anything you might be building in the near future is going to have bindings, then a binding cutter from Stew Mac or LMI is a go. And you will want to get yourself a 1/4" router or laminate trimmer to run it. Also useful for making those cutouts for pickups and such in an electric.

[willcall]

Tell us a bit about what you've got in the way of workspace, and tools already. That will help out with some of the recommendations.

All instruments that have frets are going to need a method of installing, leveling, dressing etc. Stew Mac has an fretting essential kit that will put you on the right track. Not all are necessary, as you may already have some tools on hand that will work for some that they are offering.

As you are interested in electrics, a lot of the specialised bending apparatus that we use in acoustics isn't going to be necessary. If you think that anything you might be building in the near future is going to have bindings, then a binding cutter from Stew Mac or LMI is a go. And you will want to get yourself a 1/4" router or laminate trimmer to run it. Also useful for making those cutouts for pickups and such in an electric.

G'day Allen,
Well, as for working space I have a semi enclosed area under my house which would be ok. Otherwise, I am fortunate enough to live 10min. from my in-laws farm on the Gold Coast. They have several huge fully enclosed sheds with 3phase if needed. There are a few tools there that may do but most of their gear is for metal work.

As for my own tools. I have various grade files and rasps, router, electric plane, drop saw, drill press, some hand planes that are old and probably not up to fine work and some chisels. Also, the usual array of hammers, wooden mallet, rubber mallet, r angles, etc. I'll have to have another look what else is there.

One day when I have more time I would love to make some acoustics also.

Cheers, Will

[jeffhigh]

For solid body guitars the tools you don't have,that I would not want to be without are
-router, table mounted
-bandsaw
-oscillating spindle sander

[DarwinStrings]

As for my own tools. I have various grade files and rasps, router, electric plane, drop saw, drill press, some hand planes that are old and probably not up to fine work and some chisels. Also, the usual array of hammers, wooden mallet, rubber mallet, r angles, etc. I'll have to have another look what else is there.Cheers, Will

To add to what has been said, I don't see any hand saws, I find a nice sharp Jack and Tenon handy. Your old planes may be capable of fine work with a bit of spit and polish. Also for electrics you will need, preferably a good quality soldering iron any a multimeter if you have and electrical dramas.

Jim

Someone please turn up the Tele!

[Allen]

Lot's of people have made instruments with lots less than what's on your list.

With Jeff and Jim have said, the fretting kit and perhaps an instrument tech screw driver kit.

You're also going to want some way of putting on a finish. Have a think about what you want in that department, as it can be as simple as oil finish, or spraying on bursts and clear coating.

[Nick]

For electrics I started with a Router & 1/2" bit, I had access to a bandsaw but have cut an outline out with a jigsaw (not the best though so cut well outside of the finished outline!), files & rasps & a couple of sharp chisels, a fret saw (as Allen mentioned Stewmac do a good fretting kit now but I just had the saw to start with....it was pre-internet days!), a good range of grit papers. A soldering iron & a range of screw drivers, as far as finish went my first few attempts I just finished with spray cans (clear).
I didn't have a huge collection of tools to start with but for electrics you don't need a workshopful! It's a bit like learning the guitar, for your first you don't want to go out & buy a $5000 Paul Reed Smith only for it to end up collecting dust under the bed when you decide you have other things more interesting you want to do! Build your first one as you have all good intentions (& that "keen bunny" look in your eye ) & a couple after that, if you still enjoy it & decide you want to get more into it, then it's time to start adding to the tool collection (otherwise it will be lots of expensive tools laying under the bed collecting dust ).

[jeffhigh]

Why I recommend the Oscilating spindle sander is because I have used drillpress sanders including the robo sander over the years and would have been better off putting the money towards the OSC I now own. Cuts much faster better and smoother less chance of burning and has good dust control.
You can get one around $200 now
Great for templates , body outline, headstock shaping etc

My Router table is a piece of chipboard with a hole in the middle that I clamp to my tablesaw.
Cuts truss rod slots fine.

[willcall]

As for my own tools. I have various grade files and rasps, router, electric plane, drop saw, drill press, some hand planes that are old and probably not up to fine work and some chisels. Also, the usual array of hammers, wooden mallet, rubber mallet, r angles, etc. I'll have to have another look what else is there.Cheers, Will

To add to what has been said, I don't see any hand saws, I find a nice sharp Jack and Tenon handy. Your old planes may be capable of fine work with a bit of spit and polish. Also for electrics you will need, preferably a good quality soldering iron any a multimeter if you have and electrical dramas.

Jim

Someone please turn up the Tele!

Oops, for got to mention the hand saws.
I have two 30yr old, as new Sandvik carpentry saws and a tenon saw that is in average condition.

Will

[willcall]

Lot's of people have made instruments with lots less than what's on your list.

With Jeff and Jim have said, the fretting kit and perhaps an instrument tech screw driver kit.

You're also going to want some way of putting on a finish. Have a think about what you want in that department, as it can be as simple as oil finish, or spraying on bursts and clear coating.

I think I'll attempt to spray. We have a compressor and a few spray guns from my uncle who is a panel beater.

Will.

[willcall]

For electrics I started with a Router & 1/2" bit, I had access to a bandsaw but have cut an outline out with a jigsaw (not the best though so cut well outside of the finished outline!), files & rasps & a couple of sharp chisels, a fret saw (as Allen mentioned Stewmac do a good fretting kit now but I just had the saw to start with....it was pre-internet days!), a good range of grit papers. A soldering iron & a range of screw drivers, as far as finish went my first few attempts I just finished with spray cans (clear).
I didn't have a huge collection of tools to start with but for electrics you don't need a workshopful! It's a bit like learning the guitar, for your first you don't want to go out & buy a $5000 Paul Reed Smith only for it to end up collecting dust under the bed when you decide you have other things more interesting you want to do! Build your first one as you have all good intentions (& that "keen bunny" look in your eye ) & a couple after that, if you still enjoy it & decide you want to get more into it, then it's time to start adding to the tool collection (otherwise it will be lots of expensive tools laying under the bed collecting dust ).

Yeah, I agree. I am hoping to find near new tools for sale on ebay or this forum that I can slowly accumulate.

Will

[willcall]

Hi all, I had a look around my parents place and found a few tools. Took a couple of photo's to show the condition of them.
Also realised that they have a few work benches, 3 vices and a few clamps.

Will

[kiwigeo]

The most useful item I can see in those photos is the car. You could trade that baby in and buy in a shedload of tonewood. Tim Spittle (alias the wood pimp) would look good in that car....he may even be prepared to do a straight car for tonewood swap.

[Allen]

Tim would indeed look good in that sled....but how about our Bob? Don't you reckon he'd look the ducks guts in that beauty.

[Bob Connor]

Allen - I'd be the ultimate pimp in that limo.

Hey man - you wanna buy some

Panama Red (rosewood)
Morrocan Blonde (cedar)
Afghan Black (spruce)

[John Maddison]

Tim would indeed look good in that sled....but how about our Bob?

Can (only) just visualise the two of them, cruisin' through Freo on a hot summer day, chattin' up chicks while downing Dogbolters .

[kiwigeo]

Tim would indeed look good in that sled....but how about our Bob?

Can (only) just visualise the two of them, cruisin' through Freo on a hot summer day, chattin' up chicks while downing Dogbolters .

Yeah they'd think they were cool....until I cruise past in my pimped up tonewood panel van

[willcall]

Yeah, the Lincoln is a head turner.
It's my brothers, he keeps it at my parents as he has a left hand drive Dodge Charger in his garage.


Will

[DarwinStrings]

I can now visualise the Lincoln cruising past with Tim at the wheel and Bob's head popping up every now and then to raise a eyebrow.

Jim

[Kim]

Hey Will,

What are the chisels like inside that chisel roll??

Oh, by the way, that drill press will come in 'very' handy.....goggle "Wagner Safe-T-Planer"

Cheers

Kim

[willcall]

Hey Will,

What are the chisels like inside that chisel roll??

Oh, by the way, that drill press will come in 'very' handy.....goggle "Wagner Safe-T-Planer"

Cheers

Kim

Thanks, that will come in handy.

The chisels are mostly ok. Some have a few chips out of them.


Will

[Lillian]

Will, if you haven't noticed, we have a thing for pictures on this forum. Mind snapping one of the chisels? We'd like to see if they are good chisels in need of a bit of TLC or if you should be off looking for some okay chisels to start with. Good steel can be a joy to use, once cleaned up and properly tune. Bad steel will make your time in the shed painfully frustrating.

[willcall]

I have been having a look on ebay and it looks like I can get some ok quality gear that is second hand.
Currently looking at a Bench saw/drop saw combo and router/jigsaw table with router (Hitachi).

Will try to get a pic of the chisels today.


Will

[willcall]

Also got a price for all the parts excl. timbers delivered from the US to build a hard tail electric.
Parts excl. pups and circuits is around $250US (strap locks, tuners, bridge, nut, sting ferrules, string guides, neck plate and screws, knobs, truss rod)
Pups from Brierley $x
Pre made circuits/wiring harness in 'Grease Bucket' $100US.
Timbers $x

Will

[Kim]

Consumables $X
Finish $X

Cheers

Kim