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Tools to buy for first attempt at a build

Posted by John Stevenson on July 23, 2011 at 9:07pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

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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Replies

  • John Stevenson July 26, 2011 at 8:14am
    LOL,  now this is realistic.  And I do have a big A$$ hammer. js 

    Bluesheart said:
    True, the hammer is good for finishing off botched projects.........................
  • Craig Cox July 25, 2011 at 11:58pm
    Yep, a dremel kit would be a good addition. I look at one every time I go to Home Depot. Dozens of bits and attachments to do all kinds of jobs. You wouldn't go wrong getting one.
  • colin mcgrath July 25, 2011 at 11:46pm
    Just to add that I use my dremel for shaping any bone I use, I.E. saddle, nut.

    FretMonkey said:

    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!
  • Bluesheart July 25, 2011 at 11:15pm
    True, the hammer is good for finishing off botched projects.........................
  • Malcolm Haines July 25, 2011 at 9:32pm

    Hi

    I made my first cbg with a penknife with a saw blade in it. It looks like it was made that way too. Love it.

    Since then my tools have multiplied both in number and form. One thing that I can really recommend is a fret saw. These have so many uses and are so flexible. Not many around this way. I was lucky to find one with 12 different blades and a set of fret diagrams for violin bridges...heaven. If you can't get a fret saw, a coping saw would substitute for most jobs.

     

    Lastly, a hammer - just for the fact that every bloke needs a hammer :-)

     

    peace

  • FretMonkey July 25, 2011 at 9:20pm

    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!
  • John Stevenson July 25, 2011 at 9:07pm
    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!
  • FretMonkey July 25, 2011 at 8:58pm
    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!
  • John Stevenson July 25, 2011 at 8:46pm

    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 

  • Craig Cox July 25, 2011 at 11:42am

    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!

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