Workshop and Tools

Preview

Workshop and Tools

For more info see the bonus video ‘Essential Tools for Guitar Making‘

Workshop and tools – You will need some tools and space to build your guitar – please read the PDF’s in the ‘Lesson Media’ section below for more info.

Tools PDF

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “What tools do I need and where do I get them?” – This manual is my definitive answer to that question.

Buying the wrong tools can be a very costly mistake.

There are some essential tools and some that are not necessary but save time – others are to be avoided.

It has taken me 16 years to build up my workshop and I have tried just about every guitar making widget know to man – some I wish I hadn’t – others I now couldn’t live without.

My aim is to show you that you don’t need to spend a fortune on tools to build a guitar (or ten!). In fact you can do it with very little outlay.

Before you go and buy some shiny new tools (tempting and satisfying though that may be)  – check though the list at the end of the book. You may just find you have most of these tools already lurking in your garage or shed.

Lesson tags: Tools, Workshop
Back to: Build Your Own Electric Guitar > Preparation

Comments

  1. james.chacewater@gmail.com

    Hello Mark
    The list off essential tools recommends a bandsaw with a minimum 100mm depth of cut. I appreciate that it’s always better to buy the best you can afford but I’m anxious to get started 🙂
    I’ve got an opportunity to get a reasonably priced machine but it only has an 80mm depth of cut. Would that just limit me to narrower headstocks or would it be completely useless for guitar making? Should I just wait and save the pennies for a bigger saw?
    Loving the course so far 🙂
    Cheers
    James

    1. mark bailey Post author

      Hi James – I am glad you are enjoying the course!
      If it is a bargain and in good condition then go for it – An 80mm depth of cut will be fine for most things – if your headstock is wider then you can add wings to your neck blank…I can give you more info on that if you ask me nearer the time…

      Bandsaw blades wear pretty fast – If it doesn’t cut straight it probably needs a new one. Check to see if you can get new blades for it and order a spare (or two) if you can.

  2. danielmelo99

    Oi Mark

    in regards to the router bits, which one (specs) should I get to allow for the rounded finish we had on the edges of our guitars ?

    thanks
    Daniel

    1. mark bailey Post author

      Hi Daniel – You are looking for a 6mm (1/4″) radius cutter – sometimes called a ’rounding over’ bit. Happy hunting!

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