Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by colin mcgrath on July 24, 2011 at 3:46pm

 AFKM is right, you could not use clamps or glue. It is up to you. I personally do use clamps and glue. And AFKM, I looked at some of your cbg's and believe you used them once or twice as well. If not I would like to pick your brain. 

Artist Formerly Known as Matt said:

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

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on July 24, 2011 at 3:47pm

Clamps are the thing I use the most, gluing or not. Like having a helper that does not complain! And if you do want to glue down a fret board ya need at least a few. I like the quick clamp bar clamps best but they are kind of expensive. You can use them with one hand which is great too. They are the first thing I grab.

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on July 24, 2011 at 3:59pm

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

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on July 24, 2011 at 3:59pm

I also think a small back saw and mitre box would be hard to do without, and a few more clamps to  hold it down of course!

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on July 24, 2011 at 4:01pm

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!

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on July 25, 2011 at 3:50am

And a clamp?

Bluesheart said:

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!

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Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on July 25, 2011 at 4:17am

...don't forget -  many late nights,  cold cups of coffee and forgotten dinners (-;

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Permalink Reply by Craig Cox on July 25, 2011 at 4:42am

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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Permalink Reply by John Stevenson on July 25, 2011 at 1:46pm

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 

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Permalink Reply by FretMonkey on July 25, 2011 at 1:58pm

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!

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Permalink Reply by John Stevenson on July 25, 2011 at 2:07pm

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!

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Permalink Reply by FretMonkey on July 25, 2011 at 2:20pm

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!

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