What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
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St_Genesius
New member
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
Router is the most important, I'd say. Especially if you're working from templates. I'd probably go with a band saw over a table saw for the rough cuts, but anything COULD work. Just need to get it to a point that the router can take over.
Router is the most important, I'd say. Especially if you're working from templates. I'd probably go with a band saw over a table saw for the rough cuts, but anything COULD work. Just need to get it to a point that the router can take over.
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
I've got a drill press. I'll check-out some YT videos as well. Does anyone know how Gibson achieves the concave (dish) on the LP body? I've always wanted a LP will a lower arch, less neck pitch. Question: If I copy the LP body cut, but make the body smaller, and slightly thinner, is that considered a trademark violation?
I've got a drill press. I'll check-out some YT videos as well. Does anyone know how Gibson achieves the concave (dish) on the LP body? I've always wanted a LP will a lower arch, less neck pitch. Question: If I copy the LP body cut, but make the body smaller, and slightly thinner, is that considered a trademark violation?
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
Are you planning to sell them on a considerable scale?
Are you planning to sell them on a considerable scale?
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
The carve top is done on a duplicarver. A pin traces the shape of the template top profile while next to it a router does that same motion to a real maple top.
Most tools are easy to get at hardware shops, but tools for fretboard related tasks are quite specific and usually costly.
I would say you'd need about half a dozen builds under your belt before you go for a V. A real clone is harder than a carve top Les Paul.
Start on a few Fenders. At least then you don't have to scrap the whole thing if the fretting/neck side goes pear shaped.
The carve top is done on a duplicarver. A pin traces the shape of the template top profile while next to it a router does that same motion to a real maple top.
Most tools are easy to get at hardware shops, but tools for fretboard related tasks are quite specific and usually costly.
I would say you'd need about half a dozen builds under your belt before you go for a V. A real clone is harder than a carve top Les Paul.
Start on a few Fenders. At least then you don't have to scrap the whole thing if the fretting/neck side goes pear shaped.
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
My list?
Essentials
Drill press. Even a little one is 100000x better than a hand drill.
A powerdrill, cordless.
A random orbital sander. I use a small Bosch every now and then but the majority of the work is being done by my Festool Rotex 150. That machine is a BEAST. Great to polish lacquer, too.
A router. I have one huge one, a Festool 2200, with every spanner size I could find so I never have to work with conversion bushings. I'd like a second one, a tiny 1010 though.
A good dust extractor.
A disk sander and a spindle sander (for headstocks, to size backplates, get rid of bulk material the bandsaw couldn't get away).
a bandsaw
But you need so, so, so much more.
An oscillating drum sander
a table saw
a table router
a buffing machine with several wheels (for lacquer, for fretwork)
A carved top can be done with a Galahad cutter on an angle grinder quite well. Same for necks. I start with those tools first and then move to finer grit on the Rotex, then hand shaping with files to dial in the final shapes and then, hand sanding. If I did it correctly, didn't forget a step, I can have a neck plus headstock done under 2 hours.
My list?
Essentials
Drill press. Even a little one is 100000x better than a hand drill.
A powerdrill, cordless.
A random orbital sander. I use a small Bosch every now and then but the majority of the work is being done by my Festool Rotex 150. That machine is a BEAST. Great to polish lacquer, too.
A router. I have one huge one, a Festool 2200, with every spanner size I could find so I never have to work with conversion bushings. I'd like a second one, a tiny 1010 though.
A good dust extractor.
A disk sander and a spindle sander (for headstocks, to size backplates, get rid of bulk material the bandsaw couldn't get away).
a bandsaw
But you need so, so, so much more.
An oscillating drum sander
a table saw
a table router
a buffing machine with several wheels (for lacquer, for fretwork)
A carved top can be done with a Galahad cutter on an angle grinder quite well. Same for necks. I start with those tools first and then move to finer grit on the Rotex, then hand shaping with files to dial in the final shapes and then, hand sanding. If I did it correctly, didn't forget a step, I can have a neck plus headstock done under 2 hours.
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
I wasn't thinking about that. I'd just like to be able to build the guitars that I want. Building a Les Paul style guitar would be cool, of course. I'd actually like build something that looks more like the Appleton APP.
I wasn't thinking about that. I'd just like to be able to build the guitars that I want. Building a Les Paul style guitar would be cool, of course. I'd actually like build something that looks more like the Appleton APP.
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
You don't need to go waste money on big heavy machinery at first. Why not just join your local wood working guild and start there that way you can work out exactly what you want to spend your money on. Some of those machines aren't cheap.
You don't need to go waste money on big heavy machinery at first. Why not just join your local wood working guild and start there that way you can work out exactly what you want to spend your money on. Some of those machines aren't cheap.
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
Suprised no one mentioned a router table and a oscillating spindle sander.
Suprised no one mentioned a router table and a oscillating spindle sander.
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
I've got a great eye for detail, and I'm a freak about perfection. I use to hang-out in Michael Tobias' shop back in the late 70's. I was always amazed by the guitars and bass instruments that he and Doug Montgomery built.
Last edited:
Downrazor11
New member
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
Man, are there any drill presses that go out further than 8" under $100? I have an 8" press (provides 4" of reach before hitting the support pole) and it leaves me high and dry when doing the inner holes on a body..
Man, are there any drill presses that go out further than 8" under $100? I have an 8" press (provides 4" of reach before hitting the support pole) and it leaves me high and dry when doing the inner holes on a body..
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ICTGoober
Well-known member
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
Unless you are going into production, just buy handtools. With your wish list, you won't even have money left over to buy wood, finishing supplies, abrasives, etc., unless you spend your daddy's money.
There are plenty of makers spaces who offer large machinery these days - sometimes for free, mostly for a small fee. That's what I did if I needed to plane anything or resaw large lumber. I suggest you steel yourself for large doses of boring work, that will still yield world class instruments. Let's face it - sanding and polishing is still done by hand in some big outfits.
Think about your workspace.... Do you have a large, sturdy workbench with a flat area? How about a shop vac at minimum or a large vacuum system for production? Air filters, a place to do finishes... You planning on spraying, wiping, or using a brush? Plan ahead before you commit. How about clamps of all sizes and types?
Ask some real luthiers, like over on the Official Luthier's Forum or elsewhere. Get the lowdown from the folks who do it for a living.
Unless you are going into production, just buy handtools. With your wish list, you won't even have money left over to buy wood, finishing supplies, abrasives, etc., unless you spend your daddy's money.
There are plenty of makers spaces who offer large machinery these days - sometimes for free, mostly for a small fee. That's what I did if I needed to plane anything or resaw large lumber. I suggest you steel yourself for large doses of boring work, that will still yield world class instruments. Let's face it - sanding and polishing is still done by hand in some big outfits.
Think about your workspace.... Do you have a large, sturdy workbench with a flat area? How about a shop vac at minimum or a large vacuum system for production? Air filters, a place to do finishes... You planning on spraying, wiping, or using a brush? Plan ahead before you commit. How about clamps of all sizes and types?
Ask some real luthiers, like over on the Official Luthier's Forum or elsewhere. Get the lowdown from the folks who do it for a living.
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
I have a large selection of clamps, shop vac, and a professionally built work bench. I don't have any filtration devices, or spray booth. I was thinking about doing oil finish only.
I have a large selection of clamps, shop vac, and a professionally built work bench. I don't have any filtration devices, or spray booth. I was thinking about doing oil finish only.
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: What wood-working machines do I need to build electric guitars?
What i meant to say is i didn't read everything.
I did?
What i meant to say is i didn't read everything.
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