The old pink paisley Tele dropped by for a pit stop the other day with some burrs that had developed in the nut and one of the saddles. Not a repair that I would usually post something on, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to show a few of my favourite Luthier tools that weren't designed for Luthiers...
Tools made specifically for Luthiers can be irritatingly expensive considering what they actually are. Looking around at tools from other artistic professions can often lead to some great discoveries that won't put such a dent in your pocket.
This is easily the crown jewel of budget-friendly, can't-do-without non-Luthier contraptions. There are a few other gems that I'll add to this post as they are discovered and put to good use.
The spray tube from WD-40 or contact cleaner also has a bonus feature. Speed-up that Tele or Strat re-string by feeding the spray tube through the string channel first, then feed the string itself through the spray tube. It eliminates the possibility of getting the string caught on any misaligned ridges ~ as if guitar players ever have trouble finding the hole!
Just because I don't like going to the dentist doesn't mean I liberated their tools! These super handy and versatile dental tools can be easily found in any discount industrial surplus store. This lot cost less than $20 and their stainless steel construction holds up to daily use. Perfect for a multitude of detail work ~ scraping, scribing, inspection ~ and the forceps are wonderful as mini vice-grips/clamps for wiring. You'll spot these on many of my posts.
The thin metal fingerboard guards that allow you to isolate a fret are certainly handy, but cost around $15 delivered for a set of six. This stainless-steel erasing shield for $2 from a local art & craft store can be used on most frets, and is also an excellent tool for repairing minor dents and scratches. With it's stencil-like variety of shapes you can usually find one that will surround the area to be treated while protecting the rest of the body. It's flexibility also allows it to sit flush against a contoured surface.
Say AWWW! Regular tongue suppressors are a must-have in every shop. Not only is it handy to have a thin piece of wood around to use for various projects without sacrificing a choice piece of veneer, but these have many other uses. When a single fret needs some TLC, for example, these 3/4"x1/16"x6" pieces can help simplify the process by keeping the strings out of the way without having to remove them. Being soft wood, they cause no damage. Also perfect as a quick shield between a clamp face and finished surface, or between wiring and components when applying heat to shrink-tubing. And a box of 200 cost just $6.
Any avid bicyclist will recognize this little contraption. It's the quick-release wheel skewer from the front axle of my old mountain bike. These come in various sizes, with the rear wheel skewers being the longest. This one allows for 2.5-3.5 inches to be clamped and the springs are great for holding it in an awkward place while setting-up and tightening. The lever operates on an elliptical cam so once it's screwed on snug you simply turn the lever and it clamps down tight. Very strong and durable, you can often find a bunch of them used for quite cheap. Add a couple of pieces of maple dowel with some cork lining and you have a binding clamp that you'll find is better than the usual threaded rod type with the butterfly nut. I made this one years ago and it's come in handy dozens of times for small jobs, and I've since added a few more. Drilling the hole through the dowel off-centre is advantageous too as it makes it much more versatile.
Stay tuned for more! Would love to hear your suggestions on this topic as well ~ please email me at BirchwaySound@gmail.com or tweet @Birchway_Sound!
The spray tube from WD-40 or contact cleaner also has a bonus feature. Speed-up that Tele or Strat re-string by feeding the spray tube through the string channel first, then feed the string itself through the spray tube. It eliminates the possibility of getting the string caught on any misaligned ridges ~ as if guitar players ever have trouble finding the hole!
The thin metal fingerboard guards that allow you to isolate a fret are certainly handy, but cost around $15 delivered for a set of six. This stainless-steel erasing shield for $2 from a local art & craft store can be used on most frets, and is also an excellent tool for repairing minor dents and scratches. With it's stencil-like variety of shapes you can usually find one that will surround the area to be treated while protecting the rest of the body. It's flexibility also allows it to sit flush against a contoured surface.
Say AWWW! Regular tongue suppressors are a must-have in every shop. Not only is it handy to have a thin piece of wood around to use for various projects without sacrificing a choice piece of veneer, but these have many other uses. When a single fret needs some TLC, for example, these 3/4"x1/16"x6" pieces can help simplify the process by keeping the strings out of the way without having to remove them. Being soft wood, they cause no damage. Also perfect as a quick shield between a clamp face and finished surface, or between wiring and components when applying heat to shrink-tubing. And a box of 200 cost just $6.
Any avid bicyclist will recognize this little contraption. It's the quick-release wheel skewer from the front axle of my old mountain bike. These come in various sizes, with the rear wheel skewers being the longest. This one allows for 2.5-3.5 inches to be clamped and the springs are great for holding it in an awkward place while setting-up and tightening. The lever operates on an elliptical cam so once it's screwed on snug you simply turn the lever and it clamps down tight. Very strong and durable, you can often find a bunch of them used for quite cheap. Add a couple of pieces of maple dowel with some cork lining and you have a binding clamp that you'll find is better than the usual threaded rod type with the butterfly nut. I made this one years ago and it's come in handy dozens of times for small jobs, and I've since added a few more. Drilling the hole through the dowel off-centre is advantageous too as it makes it much more versatile.
Stay tuned for more! Would love to hear your suggestions on this topic as well ~ please email me at BirchwaySound@gmail.com or tweet @Birchway_Sound!
