Hello this is my first post but I've been coming to this forum for a long time. Always loved looking at all of your creations while hoping to one day build my own. So about a month ago I finally did and I was surprised by the results. So were a couple other people because now I've gotten requests to build a couple more cbg's. So having fallen in love with the process I've decided to invest in buying a couple of tools. 

So I was just about to buy a jigsaw at the home depot thinking it would be the best tool (at a modest price) to turn planks into necks, but knowing nothing about tools I was overwhelmed by all the differences: rpm, watts, amps, and prices.

In the end I decided not to buy anything without reading up on the subject first. So i've seen all sorts of different opinions, jigsaw, hand saw, band saw, table saw, even a guy (not on this site) who made some sort of table where he fixed his jigsaw upside down.   

So after reading THIS POST I've come to the conclusion that a band saw would be the most versatile tool, specially after  JUJU AKA SOUNDSSOGOOD posted on the second page that he can even cut really thin veneers.

So what do you guys think, I'm currently trying to decide between a few different 16 inch scroll saws, I live in Mexico most imported tools are twice as expensive. I'm currently looking at this one, only I'd be paying double plus shipping on mexican ebay, or a similar Delta brand 16 inch for half the price and no shipping since it's nearby. If anyone is interested here is the link, it's in spanish but the specs are 16" Delta blade, up to 2 inch cuts and 1750 rpm. Would that do the trick? From looking at both of these I'm assuming I would have to rig some sort of support to make straight cuts, is that right? 

So what do you guys think about these two? Am I better off buying a more expensive and used Makita? I've even seen one with a laser.

As you can see I know practically nothing about woodworking (learned quite a bit making my first cbg) so your help is greatly appreciated, I've already bought some really nice exotic woods and I'm planning on building some really good looking cbg's, I'll post pics if anyone is interested. Thanks in advance, and I apologize for my english, but it's not first language.

Edit: I now see the difference between bandsaw and scroll saw, is a scroll saw no good? Should i be looking at band saws exclusively?

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If you are inexperienced with  woodworking be very, VERY careful with power tools. They need respect and a GOOD understanding of their limits capabilites and hazards.

 

A scroll saw is for cutting thin stuff...useful for pickguards and the like - no use for cutting planks - you'd be better off with a knife and fork for all the use it would be for that task. 

A table saw will allow you to rip boards into necks etc - a powerful and potentially dangerous tool in the wrong hands.

A bandsaw will do the above and much more besides - again, potentially dangerous in the hands of a novice, but again a powerful and  flexible tool - expensive for a good quality decent sized machine.

Jigsaw - useful handheld tool for hacking thru' timber in straight or curved lines, but can be difficult to do really accurate cuts.

For cutting planks into necks...a good handsaw and plenty of muscle power will do the job..I did it that way for years.  

Listen to ChickenboneJohn, if no one else.  Dude knows what he's talking about.

There you go with the black hardware again Josh, Looks awesome man, great job.

Hey Carlos, if your not so experienced with woodworking, then you should get yourself a jigsaw first. You'll be able to cut soundholes, shape out heads, cut necks, and when ya get real good at it you can make smaller pieces like bridges and various little do-dads. And when you can do all  that with your jigsaw, then it's off to the store to get yourself a table saw. That will open up a whole different level for you, but try and rush it and it will ultimately lead to frustration. Routers are a whole different ballgame, but if you do get a jigsaw I would suggest getting the best. Festool makes the absolute best on the market, it's quite a bit more expensive than anything out there but will be your go to tool for many years and they deliver results like no other, the next best one would be a Bosch.

I've bought a few Festool products and I consider them a great investment. Good luck and can't wait to see what you come up with!!

hi i have both a Bandsaw and scroll saw so maybe this is why you are getting confused !

This is my bandsaw which is used for cutting necks , boards , veneers and large chuncks of wood a fantastic tool and well worth the cash outlay i have used this for lots of jobs besides making guitars

 

This is my scroll saw which is a very good tool also but it's use is for intricate work - as mentioned by josh the thickest material i have used it on is 1/4" good for cutting plastics , wood and thin metal with the correct blade

 

it all depends on what you want to do with the tool as to which one you buy both are good for the intended job

hope that helps

 

juju :)

Juju is right, scroll saw is for small delicate work, bandsaw is for bigger work.

The bandsaw is a very versatile and useful tool, but because a big one is so much more expensive, takes up so much space, and so forth, many people have bought one that is too small and lacking power, or too cheap and lacking accuracy, and eventually regretted the mistake.

Dont get me wrong, a smaller bandsaw can be had that will do the job, and some can be set up to be fairly accurate, but most are not too good.

Also, it cant be said enough. All power tools are dangerous. Woodworking tools can be especially dangerous. Its made worse by the fact that most safety guards and sheilds are impractical, in the way, and often are misused or removed in the end. Beware that circular saws and bandsaws are especially dangerous tools. They cut fast and really can do some major damage. Circular saw blades have a nasty effect, you rarely get just a little nick, they tend to grab flesh and pull it in....... Ok enough of the gruesome, Ive just seen it too many times. Someone here, I think Bob Harrison, pointed out that woodworkers are about ten times more likely to lose a digit than machinists. Think about it.

Ok, one last thing.

Since most of us are space limited, and need tools as versatile as possible, And since much of the work you do is rough cut and then carve/shape to finished dimensions, you might consider something like this.

 

Ok, I was wrong,

One MORE thing. I like my benchtop router table and pattern bit for many shaping duties too.

I suggest the bandsaw. It very versitile, more so than the scroll saw. And you can cut off your fingers with both if your not careful.

When in doubt, go unplugged.  A couple good hand saws (rip cut and cross cut) and a couple Japanese backsaws will get you a good long ways.  Plus the hand work will get some stink on the guitar a la Captain Beefheart.  It will play a lot better, I'd bet.

 

In my opinion, starting with manual tools brings a lot of enjoyment and personal touch to the work.  Learning what can be done by hand will make the power work more productive and efficient when the time is right.  Jumping right into the power tools will probably lead to making a few more pieces of exotic firewood than you would like.

 

Currently, I use a drill and a Dremel tool as my only power options.  I have a coping saw, a small backsaw, a cross cut saw, a wood rasp and several files.

 

Enjoy your work!

 


ChickenboneJohn said:

If you are inexperienced with  woodworking be very, VERY careful with power tools. They need respect and a GOOD understanding of their limits capabilites and hazards.

 

A scroll saw is for cutting thin stuff...useful for pickguards and the like - no use for cutting planks - you'd be better off with a knife and fork for all the use it would be for that task. 

A table saw will allow you to rip boards into necks etc - a powerful and potentially dangerous tool in the wrong hands.

A bandsaw will do the above and much more besides - again, potentially dangerous in the hands of a novice, but again a powerful and  flexible tool - expensive for a good quality decent sized machine.

Jigsaw - useful handheld tool for hacking thru' timber in straight or curved lines, but can be difficult to do really accurate cuts.

For cutting planks into necks...a good handsaw and plenty of muscle power will do the job..I did it that way for years.  

Beautiful guitar Josh, thanks for your reply.

Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) said:

If you'll indulge me, I cut the body for this guitar using a band saw with a scroll blade.  Very thin, very tiny blade but chewed through a thick one piece slab of African Mahogany like it was nothing.

 

Thanks guys, didn't expect so many responses on my first post, you've been really helpful. Having built my first cbg with a hacksaw, spokeshave and a whole lot of sanding paper, I thought buying some big powertool would solve it all. But now I'm thinking I'll go with the jig saw as a first buy and a couple of nice handsaws as suggested by chickenbonejohn and E D. I suppose a plane would also be in order. The way I see it now, these are all essential tools that I'll probably be using for a while even when I move up to a table saw or band saw.
I'll probably head to the hardware store to buy everything this afternoon, I'm just achin to start building.

Carlos

 

I own a jigsaw, bandsaw and a scroll saw.  I never use the jigsaw anymore when the scroll saw and the bandsaw are available.  I do a ton of work in my shop with the scroll saw.  I also use the bandsaw quite a bit also.

 

If I was going to cut 100 guitar or CBG necks out of rough lumber and I had to impress people with the accuracy of the neck blanks then I would use a jointer with a table saw to cut the necks blanks out with.  These two tools allow you to cut rough lumber into accurate flat square wood neck blanks.  A bandsaw is not that accurate for cutting perfectly straight and smooth neck blanks on by itself.  I could cut a square or angled neck blank out on the bandsaw and then run it through the jointer to make it straight though.  

 

If you are just building a CBG or two then my suggestion is to have a local cabinet shop who does high quality work cut out the neck for you to your specifications if buying tools is really too much money.  

Carlos

 

No one tool will do it all.  Guitar builders use many tools together to make guitars with.  Each tool has it's strengths and weaknesses, so it's better to use a combination of tools together to achieve incredible results.  

 

20 years ago I hand carved the front and back of an electric guitar with wood files and sandpaper.  No machine could do similar and accurate work today except for a CNC machine.  I just measured and drew everything out with pencil lines on the guitar body, removed most of the wood with files and then sanded it down with different grits of sandpaper.  Turned out perfect.  

 

There are always several different ways and tools to achieve something.

carlos contreras said:

Thanks guys, didn't expect so many responses on my first post, you've been really helpful. Having built my first cbg with a hacksaw, spokeshave and a whole lot of sanding paper, I thought buying some big powertool would solve it all. But now I'm thinking I'll go with the jig saw as a first buy and a couple of nice handsaws as suggested by chickenbonejohn and E D. I suppose a plane would also be in order. The way I see it now, these are all essential tools that I'll probably be using for a while even when I move up to a table saw or band saw.
I'll probably head to the hardware store to buy everything this afternoon, I'm just achin to start building.
While we are at it, a drill press can be very handy too. Add that to your list of future tool purchases. The list goes on.

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