Tools for the Trade?

Tracy Kennedy June 15, 2010 at 8:08pm

Matt Towe said:

IF you know what to look for, a pawn shop could be a gold mine.

Matt

Key word "could" Around here the pawn shops think thier inventory is gold. One shop here concistantly tries to sell a HF cut off wheel for $24.99. HF everyday price is only $9.99

Outhouse Instruments June 15, 2010 at 7:12pm

IF you know what to look for, a pawn shop could be a gold mine.

Matt

Michael R Cossey June 15, 2010 at 6:07pm

Poplar it shall be, Ah , from your comment I think I'll be looking for a band saw first, I have other tools I can get by with for now to do any possible detail work. So it a B Saw and a fret

Tracy Kennedy June 15, 2010 at 12:42pm

I would suggest using the poplar for the first build. I considered my first build to be an experiment to see if I could build one with reasonable success. I just threw one together. It made sound, I smiled, then I tore it apart to make one I could actually be proud of. A scroll saw to me is most handy for intracate sound holes such as this ......

I typically use my bandsaw to taper necks and rough shape the heel. I prefer not to use my table saw, only cause, well I just dont like using it so I will use the bandsaw to rip box sides when I make custom boxes. And since I make box sides from salvaged crates they typically arent exactly square so I again use the bandsaw to make tops and bottoms to fit the rabbits I cut with my laminate trimmer in the box sides for a flush look

Michael R Cossey June 15, 2010 at 12:08pm

Thanks Tracy, for the help....luckily I have many of those tool, not a scroll or band saw, yet. I did pickup 2 1x2-36+ inch pieces of poplar and one of Red Oak at H.D. not sure which one I'll use for the first build. ...Mike

Tracy Kennedy June 15, 2010 at 11:48am

If you buy 1x2 hardwood from a Home Depot or the like you really dont have to be concerned with much work on the neck. Just make sure what you buy is straight and true. Now if you are cutting necks from larger material or making a one piece neck with a heel, then Id suggest a bandsaw. Personally I find it to be easier to go the 1x2 route. If I want a heel I just glue one on and shape it.

Other tools I commonly use are:
Scroll saw Bandsaw Tabletop belt/disc sander Drill press Chisel Hotmelt gun Soldering iron
Power drill Laminate trimmer Jap saw Various clamps Orbital sander

Michael R Cossey June 15, 2010 at 9:01am

Thanks Wes, nice tips and suggestions....I dont know why but I seem to be worried about working on the neck more than anything else.......Mike

Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates June 15, 2010 at 8:54am

would a scroll saw work here?

It might. Depends on the wood. Scroll saws are more for fine cuts and might not take harder or thicker woods. try it tho. Only thing to lose is a blade or 12.

What do you use to make sure your necks are flat / level?

Sounds sarcastic, but a flat surface. I lay a flat board on a granite countertop, put sandpaper on it, and run the neck over that. makes the fretboard REAL flat.

So if you don't have the 'big tools', one suggestion is to find someone with those tools and ask to use them in exchange for a meal or beer (beer works for me), or you could see if there is a woodworking guild that you could join. They most of the time have a workshop that would have what you need.

Before you ask, if you are going to do fretting, get one of two things -- a Stewart MacDonald Fret say ($$$) OR a Japanese Flush Cut Saw from Harbor Freight ($). Both work great.

There are TONS of other neato tools you can get or use but if you don't have those resources, use whatcha have. Many an old CBG was made with shed tools. Take a look on 'Secrets of the CBG Underground' group.

-WY

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Tools for the Trade?

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