Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello Everyone!

Despite what my screen name suggest, I have never actually built a guitar. lol I've wanted to for years and my wife (who is Hawaiian) suggested the name Loa because it means "strong" in Hawaiian. I can't wait to learn from all the skilled luthiers here! I almost thought that 31 was too late to start building, but I'm glad it's not going to stop me.

Now, with a 5 week old little girl in the house, funds are very limited. Nonexistent to be precise. So I am going to try to build my first guitar with zero out of pocket expense. Their are some guitar building specific tools and clamps that I won't be able to build myself, and am hoping to be able to borrow from people I know in the area (techs and builders). I am going to try to salvage all the other materials for every part of the guitar (either from old guitars or other sources). I'm hoping that by posting here, I could get some help as far as ideas are concerned; my brain is very limited.

I don't live too far from Bill Tippin and Pat DiBurro, so I am hoping that I may be able to get some "hands-on" advice on some of the processes, as well.

In addition to creative ways to obtain materials for back, sides, top, neck, etc., does anyone have any resources on building something for side-bending (not the big contraption, but just the heated pipe) and other tools and jigs? I have access to table saws, a thickness sander, jointer, drill presses and a decent workspace.

So, let the games begin! I know this can be done - I just hope I can do it.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to enjoy this community for a looooong time!

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Finally escaped The Peoples' Republik of Massachusetts; I can smell the freedom in the air!

Well, I'd say you're off to a resounding start if you have access to a jointer and a thickness sander. I always maintain that if I had to start over again, a thickness sander would be one of the first tool I would buy, seeing how every piece we use in guitars needs thicknessing.

I used some 2" diameter steel pipe for my first bender. You can attach that to a vise and put a torch to it, or you can build a holder for it...

If you can, a mold is always a nice addition to any shop. You can keep an eye out for people throwing away tables and such. We have this thrift store near my place. Sometimes, you could buy a hardwood table for 5-10 bucks... It's a great source for buying hardwood for jigs and whatnot for cheap.

Good luck!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

My first bender was a propane torch and a piece of pipe. Not free but pretty cheap. Probably best to stay away from galvanized pipe as it can emit zinc oxide when heated. Zinc oxide is somewhat toxic.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Thanks for the responses already! I can get the pipe for free and I can borrow the torch! YES!!! It is good to have so many contractor and woodworking friends.

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Finally escaped The Peoples' Republik of Massachusetts; I can smell the freedom in the air!

A BBQ starter also works good in a pipe for a bender.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Cheap, easier to control the heat, too, with a dimmer or router speed control from Harbor Freight.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Would this be the one?

If so, could you point me to any place that explains how to set this up so you wouldn't have to type it all out? LOL

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Finally escaped The Peoples' Republik of Massachusetts; I can smell the freedom in the air!

Yes, that router speed control would work. You would plug the heating element, such as the BBQ starter, in the router controller, set the switch on 'VAR" and use the knob to adjust the heat. Of course, when you are done, set the switch to off and uplug everything for ensure safety.

It sounds like you are in the New England area. There is a New England Luthiers Group you should join. There is a meeting on September 19th. Search in Yahoo for the New England Luthiers group. PM me if you need more info.

http://www.newenglandluthiers.org/conte ... ct_us.html

Tom