Luthier Tools

[dakotax3]

Does anyone have any hands-on experience with instrument making? I intend to begin making, for the first time, ukulele, banjo, mandolin or maybe guitar but don't have any of the specialist tools. An ex-carpenter, but forever on the tools, lets face it, I have general tools but no luthier based stuff. Books, catalogues & well meaning people say one thing, but what do you REALLY need? Anyone know first hand?

Thanx in advance.

[BobL]

Does anyone have any hands-on experience with instrument making? I intend to begin making, for the first time, ukulele, banjo, mandolin or maybe guitar but don't have any of the specialist tools. An ex-carpenter, but forever on the tools, lets face it, I have general tools but no luthier based stuff. Books, catalogues & well meaning people say one thing, but what do you REALLY need? Anyone know first hand?

Thanx in advance.

Dakotax, welcome to this form, its a great resource, but just stop and have a think about your question.

Even if your were to restrict yourself to one specific type of instrument the they can vary significantly and hence so would the list of essential tools. eg Guitar, acoustic-semiacoustic-electric, steel or nylon strings, size of guitar, etc

I'd recommend restricting your question to one specific instrument, eg a classical guitar and reposting this question in the Musical Instruments forum. Try to give the folks there some indication of your starting point, a log of wood, some 2" planks, precut seasoned timber or maybe a guitar kit?

Eg I would like to build a classical guitar, assuming I start with a guitar kit with all the pieces precut to size what are the 10-12 most important tools that I would need to help me make that guitar.

[ftje]

hi Dakotax,

I cant help you with you question specifically, but it might be worth visiting the following website.

www.thomaslloydguitars.com

The courses arent cheap, but you get a guitar at the end of it (that you have made yourself) and you'll get a really good understandiong of what is needed to build anotherone.

Hope this helps.

joe

[RichardL]

Hi Dakotax

I'm in a similar position starting out on a guitar. Other than the standard woodwork tools, from what I have read, there are a few tools which are probably more used in lutherie. I'm busy making cam clamps at the moment for example. I need to get a heated bender to bend the sides of the guitar etc. There are also numerous specific jigs, most of which can be home made.

I'd suggest looking in books - I have bought a bunch on guitar making, and checking out lutherie sites. Here is a link which has a number of these...

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=59381

[Sebastiaan56]

Hi Dakotax,

Im just finishing off a guitar kit I got off Mal Ohlson. Ive also done an A Style Mandolin and have a F Style underway. All hand tools. You will need the usual collection of saws, chisels, files etc. It is easier if you buy pre cut kerfing. The only tools I bought were a purfling cutter http://luthierssupplies.com.au/produ...roducts_id=272 and a long neck clamp http://luthierssupplies.com.au/produ...roducts_id=240

Now, if I had my druthers Id add a table saw, a bandsaw, thicknesser, table sander and a laminate trimmer. Would save a lot of work and improve accuracy. There are lots of documented builds on the net. Google "Guitar building"

There is a musical instrument section in this forum inhabited by folks much more knowledgable and accomplished than I am, there are also several lutheirs forums, all with their own slant and collection of characters.

Sebastiaan

[bitingmidge]

Im just finishing off a guitar kit I got off Mal Ohlson.

Gidday Sebastiaan, have you posted any of the build elsewhere?

dakotax,

Start off with the tools you have. There are dozens of specialty tools that seem important when you read about them, and no doubt will make the job easier, but there are plenty of instruments that have been built with a pen knife as well.

One of the fun bits for me is finding a way round things, or making or adapting existing tools, specially if I'm not going to be needing them again.

Clothes pegs make useful spring clamps for instance... just go for it and if you really need a specialised tool, why not get together with a few AAMIM members and pool some resources?

Cheers,

P

[Sebastiaan56]

Hi Midge,

Ill post soon, when Im a bit more mobile, are you back in action? Mal is a great guy to deal with, cant help enough,

Apols for the hijack Dakotax. Now that I think about it There are Luthiers in Gippsland, head for the Musical Instruments Forum,

Sebastiaan

[bitingmidge]

Hi Midge,

Ill post soon, when Im a bit more mobile, are you back in action? Mal is a great guy to deal with, cant help enough,

Apols for the hijack Dakotax

Me too Dakotax, but yep, I'm back, hope you are soon too!

Cheers,

P