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Best tools for a beginner?

Hey yall,

My wife and I have just bought a house, and will no longer be living in apartments with grumpy neighbors! I'm really excited that I've already got a workbench here... But there are no tools!

My very first project will be my first CBG build. I've been reading around on the forums and know that there are some basic tools I'll need for the woodworking and finishing involved - a drill, sandpaper, and so forth.

Having just taken on a large debt, there isn't a lot of money to go and buy one of everything that the hardware store has in stock. What multi-tool have you found to be the most useful and versatile for working with CBGs?

Aside from multipurpose tools, is there anything that one may not initially think to get that has turned out to be the best tool in the box?

Has anyone found a golden hammer?

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on June 25, 2013 at 11:26pm

SothoSounds are great people..check their music on YouTube. I had go at making one like this, deliberately just using a knife and a hammer, no files, sandpaper etc. (I did cheat and used an electric drill for the holes)..it's a good excercise in back to basics..carving the pegs with a Stanley Knife was the most difficult bit.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lindsay on June 26, 2013 at 6:27am

First, there is no such thing as having too many clamps. Ever! I don't care how many clamps you have - you need more. What kind of clamps? All kinds of clamps. I'm 52 years old, been doing woodwork in one form or another for over 35 years, and I still need more clamps.

If it were me, just starting to collect the tools needed to get started, I'd gather this list:

Tape Measure

Aluminum Yardstick

Try Square (6" - 8")

Japanese Flush Cut Saw

Drill with bits ranging from 1/16" up to 3/8" - you can buy larger bits as you need them

Utility knife and extra blades

Coping Saw with extra blades

Quick Grip Clamps - at least 2 - get more as you need them, and you WILL need them

Flat File - I prefer single cut on one side and double cut on the other side

Sanding Block

Flat Tip and Phillips Head Screwdrivers

That kit should get you started. You'll need other things, of course, like glue, sandpaper, masking tape, finishing supplies, etc... Basically you'll need to be able to cut a neck to length, notch a box to fit the neck, drill holes for the tuning heads, strings, and sound holes, then attach the box to the neck. Shaping the neck can be as minimalist or as complex as you want to make it. My first build was literally made at my kitchen table with the tools that came in a little household tool kit I got at the big blue box store. (Okay, I cheated and cut the neck to length with my miter saw, but still...) I didn't "shape" the neck at all - I just sanded the corners smooth so I didn't pick up a splinter when playing it.

As you build more (and you WILL want to build more,) you'll discover what works for you and what doesn't. You'll figure out which tool purchase would make things easier or give you a better finished product. Expand as you wish, but do know that you certainly DON'T have to run out and blow the kids' college fund on an expensive collection of tools. The great thing about this hobby is that it's as simple or as complex as you want to make it.