Thread: Power Tools For Building Guitar Bodies

i do virtually everything with a router and a jigsaw, but i borrow a bandsaw sometimes as well. a drill press is pretty nessisary (i just got one, previously i used a jig that holds a hand drill). something like a thicknesser can be replicated with router jigs and a big router bit, but how many are you planning on making? selling necks and bodies would possibly be a difficult thing to make much money on, but ive never really thought about it.

Originally Posted by Telejazzer

I'm only thinking of building guitar bodies ATM, Tele bodies actually. Thinking of getting the following:

Drill Press
Router
Workbench
Band Saw
Powered Table Router
Planer/Thicknesser
Table Saw
Clamps

I currently have a Circular Saw, Jigsaw, Drill.

Is there anything else I need? Is there anything that can be left out? Is it too much?

I checked Bunnings and GMC seems to be the lowest priced power tool. All up, the cost would be around $1,200. I can use them for some little projects around the house.

I'm also planning on offering body blanks (maybe necks too) for a small profit, just to help cover the cost and maintenance of the tools. That's the reason the Planer/Thicknesser is on the list.

Do you think it's worth it?

If you plan on buying all that and your budget is $1200 then forget about it. You'll end up with garbage power tools that will end up in the bin in no time. The only important tool you need that you don't already have is a router. Buy a GOOD one, not Ozito, GMC, Ryobi or B&D. My first two instruments were built with a cheap router like those and by the end of the second built that router was stuffed up enough to be plain dangerous to use.

My question is how much experience do you have with building guitars? You mention selling bodies or necks. Have you ever built anything or are you just thinking out loud? If you only have minimal building experience then I would say to buy the most lutherie tools (the stewmac/Lmii stuff) you can buy to help you work better and faster before buying machinery.

Originally Posted by Telejazzer

I'm only thinking of building guitar bodies ATM, Tele bodies actually. Thinking of getting the following:

Drill Press
Router
Workbench
Band Saw
Powered Table Router
Planer/Thicknesser
Table Saw
Clamps

I currently have a Circular Saw, Jigsaw, Drill.

Is there anything else I need? Is there anything that can be left out? Is it too much?

I checked Bunnings and GMC seems to be the lowest priced power tool. All up, the cost would be around $1,200. I can use them for some little projects around the house.

I'm also planning on offering body blanks (maybe necks too) for a small profit, just to help cover the cost and maintenance of the tools. That's the reason the Planer/Thicknesser is on the list.

Do you think it's worth it?

Router router router, and router.

The 1400 by Triton http://www.triton.com.au/product.php?id=28
is a schmick bit of gear and about $290 from bunnies. It is designed to fit into a router table and is a 1/2 inch arbor. I would rathe buy a GOOD router and build a table to suit it. Nice heavy base to allow for pattern following. I am currently saving for that one myself.
I do not own a thicknesser or jointer but do everything with a few router jigs and a number 4 plane with liberal amounts of elbow grease. A GOOD Drill press is next on my shopping list, the sanding and shaping you can do with a drill press is quite extensive. I own a 1 hp 14" universal bandsaw from my local gasweld store ( the same one as Carbatec sell) and it cost me $400. I either want to marry it or be buried with it. They are SO handy. I can rip up to 6" boards with the correct choice of blades and still comfortably scroll around difficult contours with ease.
I reckon I could spend $1200 on clamps alone (well not quite...)
I have been slowly but surely aquiring good tools for several years - often at the expense of guitars I want to build. Something I am eyeing off at the moment is some sort of vacuum claming system.

Cheers
Jason

OK. I hear you guys. No, I wasn't planning on selling guitar bodies or necks but blanks from the timber that I can spot for a good price. It's more like sharing the cost of the timber but forget about it for now. Sorry, I sort of got a little excited about getting all those power tools for the price of a Mexican Fender.

A good router first it would be then. And a planer? I'll probably just get the timber cut to size for me. Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by Telejazzer

Drill Press
Router
Workbench
Band Saw
Powered Table Router
Planer/Thicknesser
Table Saw
Clamps

I currently have a Circular Saw, Jigsaw, Drill.

Okay Im an acoustic builder so my needs might vary in some areas but heres my ten cents worth:

Priority items: Router (get a decent one) band saw (14" should do the trick), Drill Press and workbench. The first three items are the only power tools I currently use. I have 5 routers...sounds like a lot but it saves on setup time. Clamps - you can never have enough of these.

Get 'em when you have the money: Table saw, routing table, jointer (8" ideally). For acoustic builders a drum sander is handy, especially if youre building alot of instruments.

Not really necessary: Thicknesser. Some will disagree on this one. Useful for thinning down an electric body blank but you can do this with a Wagner safe-t planer in your drill press for this.

Cheers Martin

There is a place here in Brissie that is a woordie workshop that you pay by the time for use of the machines. I have used some of his machines at times. Cheaper than owning them. Sometimes wood clubs have machines that members can use. I have even paid a few bucks for local cabinet shops to do a few bits and pieces for me. Depending on volume it can be better just to pay to use someone else's bandsaw or thicknesser than buy your own

Peter

I'm also thinking of getting the basic tools for building soon too. What counts as a good brand? I've always been partial to Makita (most of our farm tools were Mak's) and I thought Ryobi were Ok (as in as long as it's not for really heavy duty stuff). So would Makita be a good brand? And does this vary by tool; routers vs drills vs jig?

Originally Posted by tim290280

I'm also thinking of getting the basic tools for building soon too. What counts as a good brand? I've always been partial to Makita (most of our farm tools were Mak's) and I thought Ryobi were Ok (as in as long as it's not for really heavy duty stuff). So would Makita be a good brand? And does this vary by tool; routers vs drills vs jig?

Having started with a RYOBI router and then upgraded to a quality Makita router I'd say do yourself a favour and skip the RYOBI stage.....freaking dangerous!!! That thing vibrated all over the place and makes you believe routing is harder than it should be. I now have a big Makita router and a small Makita laminate trimmer and have never looked back.....great quality tools, great results.

There is an alternative in the middle.
Mak-tec made by Makita do a good laminate trimmer, it basically the same but produced in China. It's also half the price as a Makita. I recently got one, and I've had no probs. Not many Aussie stores stock Mak-tec products, but Bunnings can get them in.

most usefull tools
router - triton 1400 $300
drill press - get a good one >$400 one with no arbor slop at full extension and plenty of reach
14" bandsaw - $600

thats $100 over budget but you will be well setup
dont skimp on your major tools - you will regret it if you do

Good suggestion Deano....the other school of thought I have on this topic is to start cheap! I know that goes against the grain but what if you don't end up really getting into luthiery or woodworking in general? No point spending a bucketload of cash on top quality tools if they hardly ever get used. It would be a shame to end up flogging off great machinery down the track and get back a fraction of the initial outlay.

I have always "been into" woodworking so had the basic jigsaw, power drill, handsaws, chisels etc when I started building guitars. But when it came to machinery, I spent minimal dollars on a Ryobi bench top drill press a GMC benchtop bandsaw, Ryobi router etc. The router was a dud as I stated before but the bandsaw and drill press have copped a hiding from me and stll work a treat.....the drillpress is now pretty much a permanent sanding device and the little bandsaw is really handy for small intricate work with a little blade when I don't want to to changeover the big one. You also really appreciate the good quality big machinery after starting out with the little stuff.......just another view.