Luthier Tools

Started by Elantric, January 11, 2017, 04:16:34 PM

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Elantric

This tool is handy for determining magnetic guitar pickup polarity, and creating "hum-bucking action" from multiple pickups by measuring the magnetic polarity and flux path

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OQRG0HA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

CMS Magnetics Magnetic Pole Detector




nix808

#1
Thanks Elantric!
That's cool for all kinds of magnetic stuff.
(edit- these can also be replaced with a compass I guess)

I'll try to put a couple of things I have learnt:

What about nut and saddle files(do you have a link?)?
These may be commonly known as 'needle files',
and I use my needle ones.

To make routing unnecessary(ie.tummy cut type stuff),
sometimes you can use very long drill bits.
These can be knocked up, as wood isn't that hard.
U can weld extended shanks on.

Pickguards can be unbent with a paintstripper, and flat weights once maximally heated.

Prolly don't use steel wool when pups will attract it. Scotch-Brite pads are harder than fine grit steel wool.

Danish wax is great for oil finishes-- a lustre

Stanley blades are fine for curved 'cabinet finishing'

Hope helps!-
I'll add more if I think of anything. I made a terribly crafted Tasmanian hardwood bass,
and have assembled 2 hexaphonic Fenderesque guitars from parts.
Rock and Rock my boat, as long as you don't rock and rock my boat!hehe

Elantric

#2
Many tools are listed here

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=nut+files


http://www.warmoth.com/Files-C215.aspx



Stewart-MacDonald  / Dan Erlewine Trade Secrets Videos
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8776.msg62979#msg62979

If you have questions, please contact us through our webpage http://www.stewmac.com/email or visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StewMac

For more information on tools and parts:
Stewmac Ultimate Scraper
http://www.stewmac.com/0631.html

Plastic Humbucker Mounting Rings
http://www.stewmac.com/1509.html

Fret Puller
http://www.stewmac.com/1637.html

Nut and Saddle Shaping Files
http://www.stewmac.com/4556.html

Scraper Blades
http://www.stewmac.com/0654.html

3M Double-stick Tape
http://www.stewmac.com/1689.html

Sandpaper / Finishing Paper Sample
http://www.stewmac.com/5562.html









been doing the Baking Soda + Super Glue "quick fix"  since 1977 -

but it always best to get a new Nut - these days I prefer a GraphTech

and use Warmoth Nut files and Xacto saw

http://www.warmoth.com/Nut-Files-Set-of-3-P44C215.aspx



or alternatives



https://www.amazon.com/Double-Edge-Files-Acoustic-Guitars/dp/B00BKNX9FO


https://www.amazon.com/FOXNOVO-Stainless-Winder-Guitar-Luthier/dp/B00PC17212




Beirne

www.intangiblesny.com
www.facebook.com/intangiblesband



admin



lespauled

DIY Tools:

Shims:
A couple of things that I use are an old aluminum can. I cut off the ends with tin snips, and cut down from top to bottom.   This gives me a piece of aluminum.  I hammer it flat, and keep it for any occasion I need to shim a Floyd locking nut, or anything else.

Fretboard savers:
I use the aluminum sheet that I created for shim, and cut out a piece longer than the width of the fretboard.  I then fold it in half, and make a couple of notches on the folded edge larger than the width of the fretboard .  I then cut out the piece between the 2 cuts and unfold it, and bang it back to flat.  I sand down the edges, making sure there are no sharp edges. I then use those as fretboard protectors when doing any fret work.

Fretboard Sander/Leveling beam:
I wait for a sale on some hardware beam levels.  One side of the level is perfectly flat.  On that side, I put double sided tape, and put sandpaper (face down) on a flat surface.  I then push the level onto the flat surface.  The double sided tape makes the sandpaper stick to the level.  You now have a leveling beam.  Get a couple of them for different grits, and you are well on your way fretboard leveling.   One caveat:  I generally get cheap ones for this method, but I make sure the beam is perfectly flat.  First I get a straight edge ruler off the rack in the store, and hold it up to the light, looking for gaps.  I use both edges of the straight edge to make sure there aren't imperfections on both items.  Very rarely will that happen on both sides.  When home, I then put the new level on top of my dewalt level, and having a light shine behind it.  If I see any light getting through, I return it to the store, and get another.

Fret Crowning file:

I buy a 3 sided file, and I grind down one of the 3 edges perfectly flat.  It doesn't take long at all.  This gives you a file that you can lay on the fretboard and give you a perfect angle for the crown, without making a single mark on the fretboard.   Note that during the grinding process, I also slightly grind the sides of the edge so there are no teeth that will mar the fretboard.

admin



Ive done this - it works well, and allows wet sanding / polishing

scratch17

Next it will be Gorilla Glue with a fur finish and Silverback, representing the King Kong of guitars!
Hamer Duotone, Brian Moore i213, Taylor 710 BCE 

VG-99, FC-300, RMC Fanout
RJM Mastermind GT10
Kemper Profiling Amp
Radial JDV Mk3, X-Amp
Mesa Recto Pre + 20/20
68 Fender Bandmaster (AB763)
Marshal AS80R

UA Apollo X6, Twin X, Logic Pro, Luna, Melodyne Studio


admin


admin

#13
https://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?182092-2012-Laminated-Fingerboard-Dissected/page3
markguitar wrote>
QuoteSpeaking of outsourcing.
Dan, Have you ever seen or heard of this company? Rockford Carving

http://www.rockfordcarving.com/

Take a look, as they have been making many parts for Gibson for a while now including fingerboards, headstock overlays, jazz box bridges, Gibson logos for the headstocks and many other things. There are many pictures as you look over the site of Gibson parts. Pictures of many Gibson fingerboards with the inlays already installed. And from what I understand from somebody that was at their NAMM booth, they are responsible for the change to the real celluloid inlays. Interesting stuff and USA labor.





http://www.rockfordcarving.com/

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180211/news/652636/carving-out-a-niche-in-high-end-guitars