Truss Rod Adjustment: Source: Guitar Neck Repairs Luthier Materials – Just What Are They? Well to begin with, a luthier is defined as a person who makes and repairs stringed instruments. The term is rarely used here in the USA, and these instrument makers are often referred to by their specialty, such as a guitar [...]

Clothes Pin Clamps Source: Tools and Materials Clothes Pin Clamps I feel just a bit silly about writing an article just on these little Clothes Pin Clamps, but, on the other hand, I use them all the time, so I will pass this little trick on. They are used for the most part to glue [...]

Dremel 4000-3/34 Rotary Tool Source: Tools and Materials The Dremel Rotary Tool – An Incredible Guitar Tool! Where would I be without my Dremel? This tool has proved to be just the ticket for many duties, that I can’t even name them all. Dremel are light, powerful, dependable and one of the most versatile tools [...]

Lie-Nielson Low Angle Block Plane Source: Tools & Materials Headstock Detailing Part 4: In this article I want to focus on those of you who may not have access to either a Band Saw or a Drill Press. Both of these items are quite costly to purchase if you are tight on funds or only [...]

Sanding Stick for Detail Sanding Source: Tools & Materials Sanding Sticks: We really can’t finish the discussion of surface sanders without touching upon the value that sanding sticks adds to our arsenal of tools. These simple odd-shaped assortment of wood covered with sandpaper is often a life-safer tool when we really need them. You will [...]

Looking for one of the best kept secrets in guitar building? It’s the violin finger planes. They have razor-sharp blades, have either rounded soles or straight soles and come in a variety of sizes. They are ideal for getting into difficult to access areas and give you much more control that the larger wood chisels. Plus, they are a beautiful little tool, being constructed mostly from brass.

Surface Sanders Make Your Own Source: Tools and Materials Make Own Surface Sanders: Sanding sticks and Surface Sanders are some of the simplest and also the most valuable shop aids you can have around. You can hog out a lot of wood and finish it with a razor sharp chisel, but you will still have [...]

Japanese Pull Saws Source: Tools and Materials Japanese Pull Saws: If you don’t have any experience with these saws, then you better take note of this article. These saws have saved so much of my time, I can’t even begin to tell you what a life-saver they have been. My trusty Dovetail Saw used to [...]

Guitar Making Clamps Source: Tools and Materials Luthiers And Their Clamps: Luthiers can never have enough clamps. That’s almost like saying women can never have enough clothes or kids can never have enough toys. But it IS true. Just when you think you have enough of one kind of clamp, there is a need for [...]

Guitar Assembly Workboard in-Process Source: Tools and Materials Tools and Materials Required: 3/4″ Cabinet Grade Baltic Birch Plywood Guitar Template or Plan Outine Band Saw Cordless Drill Set of Drill Bits 1-1/2″ Stainless Steel Screws The Guitar Assembly Workboard: The Assembly workboard is another of the major tools or jigs that you will need to [...]