I am thinking about trying to building my first cbg ( I have several bought from others). I really don't "build" anything and I know I have no tools to do even a simple build. Wanting to do an electric with a humbucker like my others and wonder what tools would make life easier. Figuring a solder iron, drill bits, some sort of sander and maybe some sort of thing to cut frets or at least mark the location. Any tips on what is needed (or recommended) toolwise are much appreciated. Many Thanks! John
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Whats the deal with clamps?
You only need clamps if you are gluing something.
I can build a fretted instrument and never touch glue or clamps.
AFKAM
Oh yeah, I have clamps ... and lots of them in various types. And I use them. But I do also have an instrument design or 2 where they are not needed.
I'm reading the OP as "what do I have to have to build". The tools I listed are what i consider "bare minimum".
I also have 4 types of saws, a belt sander, drill press, 3 sanding blocks, emory boards, 3 sanding drums, 2 rubber mallets, 2 different wire nips, fretfile, nut files, precision files , etc, etc .....
But all that is not needed .... just makes it easier
Matt
True, I guess if ya really got down to it one could get by with just a pocket knife and a lot of elbow grease. Hey, I feel a challenge build coming on!
If you're going with frets, then I recommend the Japanese flush cut saw from Harbor Freight. Less than $10, & the teeth are just right for the depth of medium fret wire. After your first build (or during) you'll decide what would make the work easier or better. By my second one, I added using a router for the neck (already had one I inherited, but had never used it), a soldering iron for simple electronics, the fret saw, a few files, and some clamps for gluing the fretboard to the neck.
You'll be working on something and think "Now what the hell would make this easier/better/faster/cleaner etc.?" Then you'll find yourself here, or cruising the aisles of your local home/hardware store. And don't be afraid to "think outside the box" because CBGs are great projects for reuse and repurposing of materials and tools. Have fun!
Yes, I need the fret saw , files,some clamps, and a soldering iron for sure. I found a little handheld sander and a miter box setup and somewhere I think there is a coping saw from pinewood derby days. I have access to a buddy's router so that is coverered. Not as bad off as I thought. Thanks everyone!! John
I just completed my first build and I used a lot of really basic hand tools. A couple of days in I bought a dremel and that thing is awesome! Not necessary but I think it was the best thing I bought for this project. It really made a lot of things easier and quicker - a very handy tool. Luxury item I guess - but it gets my vote :) Peace and good luck!
It's hand held rotary tool with a bunch of little useful parts. It has a grinder piece. I used the grinder to grind off the end of the bolt I used for my nut. My son also used the cutting wheel (similar to the grinding wheel) to cut a custom shape (soundhole) on the top of his guitar. It has little sandpaper drums that I used to remove a lot of wood (i.e. when I was removing wood for the headstock and when I was rounding the back of the neck etc. The little sandpaper drums come in different sizes and are good for either sanding a larger area or cleaning up tighter areas. It has wood carving pieces and routing pieces that I didn't explore on this build but that would be could for a more ornate build. It also has many different cutting pieces to cut ceramic, plastic, wood, rubber, metal etc. It has different brush attachments for polishing and cleaning up different types of surfaces as well.
I hope that helps :)
John Stevenson said:
Stupid question, but what do you use the Dremel for? Not real familiar with what they do. Thanks, JOhn
FretMonkey said:I just completed my first build and I used a lot of really basic hand tools. A couple of days in I bought a dremel and that thing is awesome! Not necessary but I think it was the best thing I bought for this project. It really made a lot of things easier and quicker - a very handy tool. Luxury item I guess - but it gets my vote :) Peace and good luck!
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