How to build my own necks

[bzablo]

What tools/equipment would one need to start building their own necks, and where might these tools be found? I've, of course, heard of StewMac, but what do I get?

 

[KevinB]

A good router (like a Porter Cable, DeWalt or Milwaukee) and a very solid router table - that you can build yourself - are the main things you'd need. An oscillating spindle sander helps a lot too for profiling the back of the neck.

Then you need some fretting tools and nut making tools.

Go through the build threads here and see how people do this. Scatter Lee's threads are particularly inventive when it comes to setting up jigs to make these things with a minimum of tools.

 

[bzablo]

Thank you!

 

[Mojotron]

I really like the Aluminum sanding block I got from Stu Mac. That's the tool I rely on most next to my router.

After I get the blank routed to shape, the headstock done and the truss rod done and skunk stripe glued in - I route the neck-back profile using Bill's Jig and then I route the fretboard shape using the kind of jig that Scatter Lee used.

Then all I have to do is take that big sanding block and do a final fretboard sanding, cut/press the frets, then sand them level with that same sanding block and poof all that's left is crowning and making a nut. Not that it's a quick process, but having the right tools helps a lot.

I would say the tools I rely on most would be the long 12" aluminum sanding block, a set of 4 or 5 nut files, a 12" fet press insert and my router/bits. I also use the 2 kinds of straight edges and a fret rocker.

I use a newer DeWalt 2.25 HP router - that's a great size/power for making guitars - not too big not too small...

 

[bzablo]

I really like the Aluminum sanding block I got from Stu Mac. That's the tool I rely on most next to my router.

After I get the blank routed to shape, the headstock done and the truss rod done and skunk stripe glued in - I route the neck-back profile using Bill's Jig and then I route the fretboard shape using the kind of jig that Scatter Lee used.

Then all I have to do is take that big sanding block and do a final fretboard sanding, cut/press the frets, then sand them level with that same sanding block and poof all that's left is crowning and making a nut. Not that it's a quick process, but having the right tools helps a lot.

I would say the tools I rely on most would be the long 12" aluminum sanding block, a set of 4 or 5 nut files, a 12" fet press insert and my router/bits. I also use the 2 kinds of straight edges and a fret rocker.

I use a newer DeWalt 2.25 HP router - that's a great size/power for making guitars - not too big not too small...

I'm really sorry, but I've not been informed of these jigs your are referring too. I appreciate the input, but, could you help me to understand what those specific jigs are and where they can be found?

 

[Ironwolf]

Take a look at my thread here http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-hom...e-necks-pg-13-may-contain-mild-profanity.html,
and all the threads run by ScatterLee. Various self made jigs are shown. If you search for neck building threads, you should find a number of others that show various jigs, self built fixtures and tools and often variations on the same theme by different builders.

You will also find different methods of fretting and variations on those methods.

The way I figured out how to do it was by reading all the threads I could find that included neck building.

So, get to it!

 

[bzablo]

Take a look at my thread here http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-hom...e-necks-pg-13-may-contain-mild-profanity.html,
and all the threads run by ScatterLee. Various self made jigs are shown. If you search for neck building threads, you should find a number of others that show various jigs, self built fixtures and tools and often variations on the same theme by different builders.

You will also find different methods of fretting and variations on those methods.

The way I figured out how to do it was by reading all the threads I could find that included neck building.

So, get to it!

Thank you very much! I can see I have some studying ahead of me!

 

[Mojotron]

I'm really sorry, but I've not been informed of these jigs your are referring too. I appreciate the input, but, could you help me to understand what those specific jigs are and where they can be found?

Sure - using the google-search function on the forum once you see something you want to study is a real gold mine of info.

Here's a picture of Scatter Lee's fingerboard radusing jig:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/195507-1959-les-paul-jr-build-2.html#post2263127

And here's a reference to Bill Scheltema's neck-back contouring jig - there's several other links in that thread:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/177250-who-using-bill-scheltemas-neck-radius-jig.html

 

[jkingma]

No offense, but from reading what you have posted so far I think you need to do a lot of research before you are ready to start making fire wood. Don't put the cart before the horse. Don't buy any specialty tools yet. Do you have any wood working experience?? Spend a few weeks going through some of the build threads on here first. There are lots of other resources for builders on the internet as well.

 

[bzablo]

No offense, but from reading what you have posted so far I think you need to do a lot of research before you are ready to start making fire wood. Don't put the cart before the horse. Don't buy any specialty tools yet. Do you have any wood working experience?? Spend a few weeks going through some of the build threads on here first. There are lots of other resources for builders on the internet as well.

I fully intend on researching and experimenting before I make this type of investment, I'm just looking for a place to start when the time comes. I won't be starting my build until June or July, so, that is why I'm posting threads and researching now! I know this is nothing to take lightly- I'm just trying to get a better understanding of what all goes into the master-crafting of a neck. I'll do at least 3 trials with some 2x4's too, before I actually start on my real neck.

 

[bzablo]

Sure - using the google-search function on the forum once you see something you want to study is a real gold mine of info.

Here's a picture of Scatter Lee's fingerboard radusing jig:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/195507-1959-les-paul-jr-build-2.html#post2263127

And here's a reference to Bill Scheltema's neck-back contouring jig - there's several other links in that thread:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/177250-who-using-bill-scheltemas-neck-radius-jig.html

Thank you. Could you sort of explain to me how it is that Bill's Jig works? I see that you can rotate it 90 degrees 4x's.

Scatter Lee's looks like it'd be really handy for truss rod routing too!

 

[edd677]

Personally, I would forget about all these jigs and learn to do it by hand first... a more rewarding experience I think, and you can spend a PILE of time making jigs. Radius with a block and carve the neck profile by hand with a rasp. I think carving the neck by hand is one of the most important skills in guitar making, and a jig is never going to handle all situations. Besides... it really isn't that hard.

Good luck

 

[bzablo]

Personally, I would forget about all these jigs and learn to do it by hand first... a more rewarding experience I think, and you can spend a PILE of time making jigs. Radius with a block and carve the neck profile by hand with a rasp. I think carving the neck by hand is one of the most important skills in guitar making, and a jig is never going to handle all situations. Besides... it really isn't that hard.

Good luck

I will definitely be looking into this aswell. Right now I'm just gathering all the input I can, so thank you for yours!

 

[Jack Wells]

Asking how to build your own body and neck is something that can't readily be answered. As others have said, you should do research on your own. You could read some of the build threads in this forum and you could buy one of the great books on guitar building.

 

[bzablo]

Asking how to build your own body and neck is something that can't readily be answered. As others have said, you should do research on your own. You could read some of the build threads in this forum and you could buy one of the great books on guitar building.

I'm not asking for anyone to tell me how to, just asking for pointers on what equipment is generally good to have, so that I know where to start. I have been researching on my own as well, but don't always have the best of luck, and figured I'd ask for a bit of help as to where I could find what I need; that's all. And, see, I get good input each time, because you're the first to recommend a book, so thank you!

 

[Jack Wells]

My book recommendation is Build Your Own Electric Guitar by Martin Oakham. This is a beautiful book full of great color pictures and diagrams and discussion of tools.

Another is Make Your Own Electric Guitar by Melvyn Hiscock. Both are good. I recommend buying both but would pick the Oakham book if only buying one.

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[SacDAve]

The few tools you really need. Router with pattern bit & straight bit (truss rod) the right size fret saw, a fret rounding over file. You will need some tools to shape the neck contour, if you read neck building post there’s spoke shaves, planes, draw knives, rasp files ,jigs, CNC so your plan of attack can be from a $5 pocket knife to $50.000 CNC.. Myself I like to use rasps and sandpaper my main shaping tool is a Horse file extremely rough 2” X 24” it shapes a neck in no time. I think it comes down to what your budget is, how many necks your going to build. There’s no denying the more tool’s the better.

 

[Mojotron]

Personally, I would forget about all these jigs and learn to do it by hand first... a more rewarding experience I think, and you can spend a PILE of time making jigs. Radius with a block and carve the neck profile by hand with a rasp. I think carving the neck by hand is one of the most important skills in guitar making, and a jig is never going to handle all situations. Besides... it really isn't that hard.

Good luck

That is true - I must have made 20 necks from 2x4 lumber before I got everything perfectly straight and level and got my first maple necks done. I ended up taking a lot of time to get all my jigs just right to get everything on the neck lines straight/level. But, that's just the way I went with it - there's just as many ways to do everything as there are people on this forum. It's convenient to have jigs for stuff, but that's just one way to go. I learned a lot of skills from carving the back of the neck and using just a radius block on the fretboard - those are essential skills to have whether you use jigs for that stuff in the end or not because with the jigs you still need to do some carving and sanding - the jigs just make it less work and, in my case, more precise.

 

[bzablo]

My book recommendation is Build Your Own Electric Guitar by Martin Oakham. This is a beautiful book full of great color pictures and diagrams and discussion of tools.

Another is Make Your Own Electric Guitar by Melvyn Hiscock. Both are good. I recommend buying both but would pick the Oakham book if only buying one.

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I will definitely get these then, because I know I'll need to reference them quite a few times in my build, and then I won't have to bother you guys! Hahaha. I really, truly appreciate you taking the time to help me.

The few tools you really need. Router with pattern bit & straight bit (truss rod) the right size fret saw, a fret rounding over file. You will need some tools to shape the neck contour, if you read neck building post there’s spoke shaves, planes, draw knives, rasp files ,jigs, CNC so your plan of attack can be from a $5 pocket knife to $50.000 CNC.. Myself I like to use rasps and sandpaper my main shaping tool is a Horse file extremely rough 2” X 24” it shapes a neck in no time. I think it comes down to what your budget is, how many necks your going to build. There’s no denying the more tool’s the better.

Of course, of course. Thank you!

That is true - I must have made 20 necks from 2x4 lumber before I got everything perfectly straight and level and got my first maple necks done. I ended up taking a lot of time to get all my jigs just right to get everything on the neck lines straight/level. But, that's just the way I went with it - there's just as many ways to do everything as there are people on this forum. It's convenient to have jigs for stuff, but that's just one way to go. I learned a lot of skills from carving the back of the neck and using just a radius block on the fretboard - those are essential skills to have whether you use jigs for that stuff in the end or not because with the jigs you still need to do some carving and sanding - the jigs just make it less work and, in my case, more precise.

I feel like I should really give some hand carving a shot too then!

 

[Mojotron]

Thank you. Could you sort of explain to me how it is that Bill's Jig works? I see that you can rotate it 90 degrees 4x's.

Bill actually has a video series on neck making where he uses all of his jigs - my whole process of making necks is similar to his - so I know his approach is a good one (but certainly not the only/best one..)

Here's the link to that series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jpqwurMuCo&feature=channel

I have to say that Bill's videos are an amazing resource - thanks Bill if you are reading!

Here's the video on the neck carving jig - that one really needs to be seen in action to appreciate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv-mLftEiRM&feature=channel
Note the point he makes about bowing.... all great advice.

Scatter Lee's looks like it'd be really handy for truss rod routing too!

Yep that's the way I do the truss channel.

The main thing is safety - all power tools are extremely good at ripping off fingers and worse. Power tools - especially bandsaws, tablesaws and routers need to be respected like you were dancing with a 1000lbs tiger: Just don't step on their feet and you will get the job done. There's no second chance to think about safety!

BTW - I bought those books, but hardly read them since reading the threads here is by far a better resource.