Preferred Hand Power Tool for Guitar Projects?

[Leo Chang]

Hi all,

Quite a few JCF members have modded / assembled / built their own project guitars, so.... what's your favourite hand held power tool for guitar projects? (Dremel etc)

And I don't mean the individual attachment bits, but rather the "main body" of the tool. Since if the main body is good, I can always get the appropriate attachments later.

I got some spare time now, and have just ordered several kits and some luthiery tools so I can practice on them. Eventually I want to get to a point where I don't have to pay someone else to work on my guitars ever again. Cost considerations, plus... it's fun

One project that is never far from my mind is doing a full scalloping on one of my beater guitars, and I'll definitely want a Dremel etc for that.

So... what are your recommendations?

[Bengal65]

A Dremel rotary tool and for scalloping a Dremel Contour sander. The contour sander makes quick work of scalloping. I believe there is a tutorial over on project guitar for using the contour sander for scalloping.

Edit: Yep! Here it is!

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/scal1.htm

[rjohnstone]

+1 on the Dremel

[Leo Chang]

Bengal65: Thanks for the link, I had just read that 1 or 2 days ago. Guitar DIY tutorials are my new porn

Just found this on the StewMac site, anyone got experience with it?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Dremel_rotary_tools,_attachments/Dremel_400XPR_Rotary_Tool_Outfit.html

Also looking forward to doing the Paul Gilbert "Dremel-lo picking"

[rjohnstone]

Nice Dremel kit.
Invest in the router attachment and some bits and you'll be good to go.

[Leo Chang]

Yeah, I'll most likely get that if no one recommends me anything else...

[Bengal65]

That's a nice kit. My 2 Dremels are rather old. I had one last 31 years before the bearings went out. All it needed was new bearings. I changed the brushes in the motor several times during that period, but they seem to last forever. I've got another since. I do have the new flex shaft as pictured. As RJ said, router attachments etc. you can accomplish many things. A Dremel rotary tool is definitely a "must have".

[Racerx2k]

Definitely Dremel. I've custom made templates, and have used mine to route with them, grinding/sanding, precision drilling, etc.

[T@rgetDrone]

I bought that exact same set a little more than a year ago. I haven't used it too much for guitar work but it is very capable with a few add ons. A good Dremel set is a must.

[CharvelRocker]

For Guitar mods, a Dremel is a must.

[Phantom Hawk]

Unless its my beater lab rat guitar, I'm way too nervous to really mess with any of mine. So I guess my fav hand tool would be the phone ! "Hey , Dana, I need this done ...... "

[Leo Chang]

Thanks for all the replies, I'll definitely get that set then

What would you guys suggest for all the saw dust that many projects will generate?

Of course there is always the "put guitar on big sheet of paper / fabric and just collect dust afterwards" approach, but is there is a better way of going about it?

[Leo Chang]

Unless its my beater lab rat guitar, I'm way too nervous to really mess with any of mine. So I guess my fav hand tool would be the phone ! "Hey , Dana, I need this done ...... "

That is why I ordered several kits to be the subjects of my first mods... 'cause I am somewhat attached to my existing guitars and don't want bad things to happen to them.

(at least for now... )

Whereas if I built the guitar from parts myself, I would not hesitate to perform "surgery" on them. Many of my guitars also have necks that are impossible to replace (neckthrough / set-in) or will be difficult to replace (DK2LE)... so I am not gonna do anything to them for now.

[sully]

besides a dremel setup, spend $20 at home depot and get a random orbital buffer. then get a foam polishing pad (if you're going to get into finishing). that attaches to a drill. meguiars makes one, but you can also get them from stewmac. be careful though, because you can burn through clear pretty quickly. but a slower RO buffer and a nice terry pad can shine up a swirl marked guitar pretty quickly.

i was wetsanding this for kev last weekend, and buffed it with an RO buffer and a polishing pad on my drill. came out pretty nicely...





another thing is single edged razor blades. good for scraping gunk off of fretboards, and many other things.

sully

[Leo Chang]

Great tips! Thanks for all the suggestions, please keep them coming, I am taking notes... (and making a shopping list)