Official Luthiers Forum!

After reading the post about the StewMac mortice and tenon jig and the slop it got me thinking what jigs and fixtures should I get and which should I avoid. I'm new to this and am gradually kitting up, I was impressed with the quality of the Stewmac stuff I've ordered and the speed with which it's arrived. I view most of their stuff as time saving extras, but it really does help!

Which stuff do you love and which do you hate?
or
What should I buy and what should I avoid?

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

I don't like the double sided nut files they sell. They (at least the ones I had) tend to make the bottom of the slots "V" shaped instead of round. I don't know about their neck templates, I made my own. I had their fret saw and miter box, but I sold it when I started using my table saw. I've got a couple Stew Mac fretting templates that I still use. I like the fact they're made from aluminum.
I like buying from Stew Mac. They always ship quickly, and are very helpful if you have a problem.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Love the fret slotting templates and blade for table saw.

Hate the Dremel attachment for cutting binding channels.

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

I don't really buy any jigs or anything like that from stew mac. I bought a couple of fret rules i needed and the some nut files. I'll ocassionally buy some parts or a book or fret wire. I made my own fret beveling and leveling files and stuff like flush cutters and tang nipper. Jigs you can make yourself for much cheaper. I am planning on buying the fret press caul and inserts. I'm just going to buy a harbor freight arbor press and make my own fret press. I can make it myself for under a hundred bucks compared to the $165 they sell it for. If your gone still buy shop around for the best prices. Luthier mercantile sells a lot of similar stuff.

FB slotting template is really good, tang nippers are really good, radius sanding beams for FB's is the beez kneez but exie, saddle slotting jig is the roo's shoes but exie, binding tape is brilliant, the bridge clamp is bonza as are the light weight brace clamps but that little binding jig thing that fits a dremel is only JUST OK for binding the head stock and not a good choice for much else at all.

Oh yeah, the string spacing ruler is cool to.

Cheers

Kim

I have the Jaws fret press, and think it's a good product (except that I'll be installing frets pre-glueup now so it's sort of a moot point). Still, if you're fretting after glueing your board down it's a pleasure to use. If I were low on cash, though, it's not -that- much better than my claw hammer.

I have the fretwire bender, and also think it's a good tool. You can make one pretty cheaply, and I think there's a tutorial on the MIMF, but the StewMac one is nice.

The diamond fret file (with the curve so it won't hit a top) is something I wholeheartedly recommend! It's a great tool, there's nothing else that does as good a job, and you can't make it at home. If I were buying only one tool from a luthier supplier, it would be that one.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

From Stewmac I have the fret press tool for a drill press, string spacing rule, 12" radius block for the fretboard, the fret rocker which I think is amazing, the countersinking tool is good too, I was amazed with Dans Finish book, and over all I've got crowning files though not the diamond ones bridge pin reamers, general wood work tools, but I'd love a Lie Nielson low angle smoothing plane for planing back and sides, but building a drum sander will be cheaper!

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

My StewMac end nippers didn't hold up so well. The first fret job left gaps in the cutting edges, and that was using plain ol' medium 18% nickle fretwire. I bought a pair of end cutters at Home Depot and sanded the face flat and they work much better.

I like their Dremel router base with rosette attachment, the fret template, string space ruler, and fret saw blade for the table saw.

Since someone mentioned the end nippers, there is now a company that makes flush cut end nippers as well as flush cut trimmer type nippers. He used to work at Taylor Guitar Company, and realized no one was making these things at reasonable prices. The retail price on the End Nippers is $14.98. The side cutting version is around $15.00 too. He also has some other useful items in his new tool catalog. Things like chisels that fold up into the handle, so you can stick them in your pocket; blind nails and a little blind nail set that might be handy for fingerboard installation; among other things. Most are aimed at the handy man or the construction market, but, on the surface, the stuff looks pretty good. www.fastcap.com

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Mostly just get parts from them (fret wire and such). Did get their fret slot saw (made my own 'miter box' setup for it) and it works very well. Having the depth stop on it makes things much easier when I am distracted and get a bit too heavy handed.

-Matthew

Don't forget the endpin jack reamer if you are going to be installing pickups, pricy, but you will never be afraid of chipping the finish again, same goes for the peghead bushing reamers.

If you do repairs the scissor jack is pretty great.

I like the "camless" cam clamps quite well.

Their neck removal jig works well if you don't feel like making one.

The teflon binding laminator is handy.

They have ok prices on ibex planes.

Like other guys have said, string spacing ruler, curvy ended fret crowning file, aluminum radius beams, fret rulers, and probably some other stuff that i forgot.

I really like stew mac, they are often not the cheapest place to source stuff from, but they ship super fast, are very cool about returns, they are always working on some cool new gizmo, and they are just generally cool to deal with.

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Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY

Beside the stuff already mentioned I bought the pattern makers vise with the upgrades and am very happy with it. They have a nice set of digital calipers too, I've had mine for 10 years and haven't seen any better yet. I just got their hydrometer too and it's nice and not too expensive either. I have a few of their electric guitar tools too like a special tool for tele vintage recess jack . And their drill guide for slotted heads. They are a good company to deal with.

I have the set of double sided nut slotting files and like them . Still find what works best for you. I can tell you that you soon forget the price if the tool works .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

The string spacing rule, and the fret spacing rule. Indispensable.
I use dremel tools, so their router base is my choice.

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