What tools are needed to build a guitar ?

Flat357 · January 8th, 2008, 10:23 AM

Anyone able to give a breakdown of the tools needed to build a guitar , and the stage at which each is used ?

Is there a cheap way of combining tools so that we could all have a go at at least building a body , without needing a huge workshop ?

Cost of the tools new / used ?

Probably take a lot of answering , I know , but if any of you guys have the time .........

jwells393 · January 8th, 2008, 10:50 AM

In this thread, japasul did an amazing job building both body and neck with a very limited workshop. In fact, I think it was done in an apartment and balcony.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...truction+diary

CDKopf · January 8th, 2008, 06:39 PM

I bet I could do it with a hammer, a pair of vice-grips and a roll of duct tape. I can do anything with those!!

No - Depends on the degree of building you are doing. I could build a tele body with a jigsaw, a router, and belt sander. It may not stack up to Buckocaster but Ive worked with bare minimums and little $ for a good part of my life. It can be done. But just about every tool / power tool in the shop COULD be used for something. Planers, Joiners, bandsaws, sanding drums, Etc. Depends on your experience, skill level and what quality of product you're expecting.

Flat357 · January 8th, 2008, 06:58 PM

I have a hammer , jigsaw , pliers , nail file , and a screw driver , and if I visit my mothers , I have a dining table

Seriously though , I figured if I set about getting a second hand work bench , and some form of router , and a few drill bits , it could be a start .

CDKopf · January 8th, 2008, 07:12 PM

If I had to chose one and only one power tool it would be the router. You can buy bits to accomplish dang near anything. shaping, joining smoothing...

jwells393 · January 8th, 2008, 08:14 PM

I would say buy a really good router and build yourself a router table. For guitar work you really don't need a router table with fancy fence. The one pictured in the following link was built on a job site and served me well for many years. I've recently put the top on a new base. The pictures should show how easy it was to build.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/showgallery.php/cat/583

Flat357 · January 8th, 2008, 08:20 PM

Thanks . Might take a little look in the sales for a router

rhomco · January 9th, 2008, 07:14 AM

coins are the most usefull tools for building guitars.

Rob

jwells393 · January 9th, 2008, 08:38 AM

If you have a small cabinet shop in your town you might be a be able to pay to have some operations done. I guess I'm thinking things like thickness planing and edge jointing. Simpler yet, just buy a body blank that has already been dimemsioned.

January 8th, 2008, 10:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Flat357 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cheshire Age: 40 Posts: 2,455	What tools are needed to build a guitar ? Anyone able to give a breakdown of the tools needed to build a guitar , and the stage at which each is used ? Is there a cheap way of combining tools so that we could all have a go at at least building a body , without needing a huge workshop ? Cost of the tools new / used ? Probably take a lot of answering , I know , but if any of you guys have the time .........

January 8th, 2008, 10:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,121 101 Photos	In this thread, japasul did an amazing job building both body and neck with a very limited workshop. In fact, I think it was done in an apartment and balcony. http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...truction+diary __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

January 8th, 2008, 06:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
CDKopf Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spokane, Wa Age: 33 Posts: 351 3 Photos	I bet I could do it with a hammer, a pair of vice-grips and a roll of duct tape. I can do anything with those!! No - Depends on the degree of building you are doing. I could build a tele body with a jigsaw, a router, and belt sander. It may not stack up to Buckocaster but Ive worked with bare minimums and little $ for a good part of my life. It can be done. But just about every tool / power tool in the shop COULD be used for something. Planers, Joiners, bandsaws, sanding drums, Etc. Depends on your experience, skill level and what quality of product you're expecting. __________________ "We been outta work so long...we had to put together some kinda act just to show the promoters what kinda work we're out of." (Johnny Cash 1958 Hadley's Town Hall Party)

January 8th, 2008, 07:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
CDKopf Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spokane, Wa Age: 33 Posts: 351 3 Photos	If I had to chose one and only one power tool it would be the router. You can buy bits to accomplish dang near anything. shaping, joining smoothing... __________________ "We been outta work so long...we had to put together some kinda act just to show the promoters what kinda work we're out of." (Johnny Cash 1958 Hadley's Town Hall Party)

January 8th, 2008, 08:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,121 101 Photos	I would say buy a really good router and build yourself a router table. For guitar work you really don't need a router table with fancy fence. The one pictured in the following link was built on a job site and served me well for many years. I've recently put the top on a new base. The pictures should show how easy it was to build. http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/showgallery.php/cat/583 __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

January 8th, 2008, 06:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Flat357 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cheshire Age: 40 Posts: 2,455	I have a hammer , jigsaw , pliers , nail file , and a screw driver , and if I visit my mothers , I have a dining table Seriously though , I figured if I set about getting a second hand work bench , and some form of router , and a few drill bits , it could be a start .

January 8th, 2008, 08:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Flat357 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cheshire Age: 40 Posts: 2,455	Thanks . Might take a little look in the sales for a router

January 9th, 2008, 07:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
rhomco Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Crowley, Texas Posts: 678	I have concluded that coins are the most usefull tools for building guitars. Rob __________________ If I won the Lotto.... I'd just build guitars and sell them till the money ran out

January 9th, 2008, 08:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,121 101 Photos	If you have a small cabinet shop in your town you might be a be able to pay to have some operations done. I guess I'm thinking things like thickness planing and edge jointing. Simpler yet, just buy a body blank that has already been dimemsioned. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.