DIY tools and such.

[smk506]

Sorry if this has been covered before but the search results were pretty vague.

So I thought it might be a good idea for a thread to show how to make some tools that beginers on a budget might be able to aquire or make themselves. I've seen Mr. Rist post about using an auto body scaper to "sand" lots of wood quick and neat. If stew mac sold something like that it would probably cost an arm and a leg... So anywho, I'm not trying to pry away any prized trade secrets, but any info is good.

Also helpful would be like a required tools list what you NEED to get the job done, then what just makes it easier, or more consistent or what have you.

A special thanks to members BCRGreg, Roman Rist, eshuffle, MrBones, and IceGator, and everyone else whose names I cant fit here. Thank you all so much for the knowledge you put forth and taking the time to do so in such a detailed manner. You guys rule.

 

[bfcg]

Toolmonger » Blog Archive » How To Make Your Own Finger Plane
Most of my hand tool s are home made. Mostly improvements on tools that I have owned in the past and some specialties that I had to come up with.
Necessity is the mother of invention.

 

[IceGator8]

Toolmonger » Blog Archive » How To Make Your Own Finger Plane
Most of my hand tool s are home made. Mostly improvements on tools that I have owned in the past and some specialties that I had to come up with.
Necessity is the mother of invention.

Of course you post this after I've already gone out and purchase an IBEX.

 

[smk506]

Thanks, thats great!

 

[Paragon]

Poor man's fretboard & fret levelerFind a local granite counter top shop and ask if they have any end cuts they are tossing. Chances are they will let you have your pick for free as they will probably just be throwing it in the trash. Most are fairly flat enough and have enough heft to do most of the sanding for you. Great if you don't mind going at it without a radius block and is comparable to stewmacs pro leveler.

I scored a handful of pieces one that is plenty long enough for leveling. I used a few pieces up against each other to test for flatness by looking at the seam in front of a light. The finished sides aren't too bad. The cut edge on the piece I am using is actually flatter than the finished edge on some pieces

PSA Sandpaper
Use some PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive backed) sandpaper - Cut to length allowing to overhang the ends a tad, then trim to width of the block using a razor blade. You can find it for around $30 shipped on ebay (about the same cost as stewmac but 40 yards instead of 45 feet so you get almost 3x the length) I got some 400 grit since I'd rather have it take longer than take too much off too fast. You can also use the PSA on sticks, erasers, small 6" metal pocket rulers for shaping frets.

Misc. tips:
Spray cans
For those of you who are spraying your paints from a can (such as stewmac nitro), set the can in a bucket of hot water right before you spray and then shake and spray (especially good if you have a cold spray area) Warming the paint helps it atomize better and will result in less orange peel (texture)

 

[smk506]