Guitar build tool kit essentials (and non-essentials)

the_jaffa

So, if one was to look to start building the odd guitar what tools would you suggest were needed, like absolutely needed, and what would be beneficial to also have?

I'm thinking about building myself a custom body to then add a, probably 2nd hand, neck to so starting to look at tooling and the like.

I guess there are things like routers, chisels and sanding items but there must be more and some specific models or types of tools would be a great help.

So, fire away: (please)

Guessing this will also help others out there who are thinking along similar lines to me.

BigMonka

Have a look here mate: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/43654/the-basic-tools-list#latest

Maybe even sign up for the Bailey BYOG online course if you want to learn from the masters.

the_jaffa

Wow, well that pretty much sums it up I guess.  Cheers.  I'll have more of a look into the Bailey thing too.

Looks like a band saw and router are the proper big-money investments.

Any other thoughts?

BigMonka

Depends where you want to start the body making process from.

If you want to start with raw wood then your going to need to plane and thickness it as well as shaping and routing.

If you buy a body blank then you will just need to shape it and route it.

If you buy a shaped body then you'll just need to finish it (and maybe route cavities).

ecc83

I am no luthier! But I have dabbled with wood and metal all my life.

FIRST tool, a really sturdy bench. Next I would get the biggest drill press I could afford.

Dave.

the_jaffa

Bench I already have.  I built myself a lugged road bike frame a couple of years back from Reynolds 953.  Stainless steel so super hard to work with.

Drill press would be nice but I do have pretty free access to one

BigMonka

the_jaffa said:

Bench I already have.  I built myself a lugged road bike frame a couple of years back from Reynolds 953.  Stainless steel so super hard to work with.

Drill press would be nice but I do have pretty free access to one

Screw the guitar building, I want to see pics of a stainless steel bike you've made yourself!!!

step_hent

BigMonka said:

the_jaffa said:

Bench I already have.  I built myself a lugged road bike frame a couple of years back from Reynolds 953.  Stainless steel so super hard to work with.

Drill press would be nice but I do have pretty free access to one

Screw the guitar building, I want to see pics of a stainless steel bike you've made yourself!!!

Me too!

the_jaffa

Only too pleased to oblige.

Here's a pic of the complete bike:

And one of the downtube logo detail (mix of polished, brushed and sand-blasted finishes to create the decal)

Inaugural ride pic:

the_jaffa

I have to own up slightly in that I work at 18 Bikes as a mechanic/wheelbuilder/salesman/dog's body and we as a shop do custom frame building but this was my first build and was mainly done in my garage at home.

Chalky

Wow indeed!

the_jaffa

Cheers

Sassafras

Slightly disappointed the bike's not called 'the jaffa'

the_jaffa

Would have had to be orange for that.

Jaffa actually comes from a nickname a friend gave my old Mini, The Screaming Jaffa, that was orange and rather loud

Sarge

I can't give frets on this tablet I'm using, so...WOW!!
effing nice bike!

step_hent

@the_jaffa if I could give more wows on that I would. Stunning work!

axisus

Superb bike! Wow'd