Basic luthier tools

[ovid9]

So, I'd like to buy some basic tools to better be able to set up my guitar. However, I'm cheap, yet, I don't want to throw my money away.

The basic things I'm looking for are nut files and a neck radius gauge with cutouts for the strings. However, these things apparently cost GOBS of money.

I don't want to lay down $165 for a pack of files that I'm not sure I'll use more than a couple times since I have NO aptitude at "hands on" type stuff.

So, I've looked at stewmac and allparts, I'm sure their stuff is good, but...anywhere less expensive yet still usable quality?

Oh, and what are the BASIC tools you need to do proper setups?

Things I have:

hex wrenches
screwdrivers
feeler gauges (somewhere, i need to find them)

I'm not looking to level frets or anything, just cut nuts and set up strings and stuff.

[onerailunder]

Torch tip cleaners from Lowes or Home depot are between $5-10 and excellent nut slot files.

Purchase a good triangle shaped file and use a grinder to remove the corners and you have a great file for fret dressing that won't gouge up the fret board.

I really think a bench grinder from a yard sale ($20?) makes fabbing up a nut pretty quick work.

I need to make myself a straight edge with fret cut outs for a 24 3/4 and 25 1/2" scale.

[Rampage]

Instead of the nut files, grab some welding tip cleaning files: http://www.amazon.com/US-Forge-Welding- ... B000UVR0NO

You might also want a straight edge for eying the relief of the neck. I also always seem to need a razor blade and some #0000 steel wool.

[ovid9]

Ooooooh, thanks guys!

I have a straight edge...somewhere. I need to find it or buy another.

I have plenty of razor blades and #0000 steel wool from work.

Thank you!

If I feel like I'm getting good enough at it to justify purchasing high quality tools, I'll do so. But I just can't justify the cost, so this approach is mucho better!

[Rampage]

I've done my own setups since 2004 and I've never splurged on tools.

Jew4Life

[ovid9]

I've done my own setups since 2004 and I've never splurged on tools.

Jew4Life

And a smecksy one at that!

[ovid9]

So...how long a straightedge does one need? 6"? 12"?

[Yarbicus]

Why does the idea of Ovid with tools make me nervous?

[ovid9]

Why does the idea of Ovid with tools make me nervous?

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

I actually own a number of power tools and regular hand tools. I've even been employed as a carpenter before! Skeery ain't it?

I'm staying away from messing with my frets though. That just sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[The Anomaly]

I've done my own setups since 2004 and I've never splurged on tools.

Jew4Life

Yeah, but you schlep around facacta guitars.

[atrox]

I have a shop, but the majority of the everyday hand tools i use are fairly cheap. I just modify them to my needs. My only real splurges for hand tools was a machines straightedge and.... i think that is it. I have a few wood files that are pricey too, but necessary for building. \

I have a set of nut files. I don't consider them expensive for what they are, but i used to have a set of Norman Nut files. I'm not sure if they are for sale anymore, but they are basically feeler gauges with slots cut in them. They worked OK.

I would say the one tool i have, that if i didn't have i wouldn't be doing any guitar work, is a freaking string winder drill attachment. If you are not going to be doing a lot of guitars, then it's probably not a big deal, but man... what a time saver.

[atrox]

I'm staying away from messing with my frets though. That just sounds like a recipe for disaster.

You'd be surprised just how easy working on frets or a refret is. It's actually pretty basic stuff.

[Rampage]

I've done my own setups since 2004 and I've never splurged on tools.

Jew4Life

Yeah, but you schlep around facacta guitars.

It's true. Playing my guitars constitutes a forearm workout for my left arm.

[ovid9]

I'm staying away from messing with my frets though. That just sounds like a recipe for disaster.

You'd be surprised just how easy working on frets or a refret is. It's actually pretty basic stuff.

You'd be surprised how insecure I am about my ability to do anything!

[ovid9]

Dude, I'm basically clinically braindead and I've done my own fret levels and crowns. It's more about patience than skill. Slow and steady on every step and realize you aren't gonna get there right away the first few times you do it, but you do eventually get there.

These things are the issues.

Seriously though, that's why I have a bunch of cheapy guitars lying in pieces so I can learn on shit that it doesn't matter much if I screw things up.

Of course, that still requires the first step and STARTING. But hey, eventually.

[Rampage]

Also, invest in a decent soldering iron. Not sure if you have one, but I imagine you do.

[ovid9]

Also, invest in a decent soldering iron. Not sure if you have one, but I imagine you do.

Mine would work fine for someone with plenty of experience, but its only 25 watts and I want to upgrade to a 40 watter. Someone linked to a nice, inexpensive (~$45) 40 watt Weller on amazon I'm gonna snag here soon.

Even though I was soldering wrong the iron wasn't getting hot enough to desolder stuff sometimes.

[Skibob]

Also, invest in a decent soldering iron. Not sure if you have one, but I imagine you do.

Mine would work fine for someone with plenty of experience, but its only 25 watts and I want to upgrade to a 40 watter. Someone linked to a nice, inexpensive (~$45) 40 watt Weller on amazon I'm gonna snag here soon.

Even though I was soldering wrong the iron wasn't getting hot enough to desolder stuff sometimes.

If you're going to upgrade soldering irons, I HIGHLY recommend getting a variable temp soldering station. I just did and I can't believe what a difference it makes over the pencil type.

I got this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888-FX-888-Soldering-Station/dp/B004M3U0VU

[Skylark44]

Check out www.grizzly.com , they've got pro tools at decent prices.

[ovid9]

If you're going to upgrade soldering irons, I HIGHLY recommend getting a variable temp soldering station. I just did and I can't believe what a difference it makes over the pencil type.

I got this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888-FX-888-Soldering-Station/dp/B004M3U0VU

Check out http://www.grizzly.com , they've got pro tools at decent prices.

Thanks for these links! Some really good stuff on there!

Got my straightedges today! Not sure why they sell them in packs of 2....but...oh well. lol

[guitarcapo]

C-clamps seem to be indispensable and have a lot of uses outside lutherie. I'd buy them at Home Depot before Stew Mac. Stew Mac sells a lot of common tools at huge mark up.

[atrox]

I have not one single C clamp, but i do have a bunch of these in various sizes... and better quality than the pic

[ovid9]

I have not one single C clamp, but i do have a bunch of these in various sizes... and better quality than the pic

Those are super handy. My grandpa does a lot of woodworking and has about a bazillion different sizes of those.

I have a couple of the cheaper grip and slide style without the screw portion.

[Placemat Jackson]

I've always had good luck with the Graphtech Tusq preslotted nuts.

The slots are usually fine, unless you want to go with something heavier than 11s.

All you need to do is shape the bottom, I usually use a dremel then fine tune it with sandpaper. Sometimes the ends are too long and you need to trim those down too.