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Hi folks,

Another questions from 1st time builder.... I have read a lot of posts on here about what tools a new guy should look into having and it raised a question for me.

Is it possible (in your opinions) to actually build a toolbox that could carry all the tools you need to build a guitar with?

I am a student who moves every so often with my wife. Currently we have access to my dad's shop (psuedo stocked with basic power tools) but will be taking off next summer to British Columbia. I am a big fan of building with hand tools (so far...) and also a bit of a minimalist. So, how possible is this to do and fit it into a roughly 24" x 14" x 12" -ish custom made toolbox?

I know a couple things will be impossible in this - side forms, workboard (like in Cumpiano's book) bending machine (but I think I like the idea of bending iron better for me atleast at this time), 36" rule... OH, and clamps!!! I already have a bunch that I have made that are not fitting in any toolbox like this. But besides these things, some of which I figure I can build once I re-setup shop, what do you think?

I figure I would need, at minimum:
chisels, files, rasp, spokeshave, scrapper, several smaller saws (dovetail, Xacto, coping...), #6 jack plane, #18 block plane, #3 or 4 smoothing plane, sand paper, marking tools, measuring tools, circle cutter/purfling cutter tool, sharpening stones/sandpaper, malllet/deadblow hammer, hand drill (???) with bits and guides, glue, and some other things i am forgetting - or just haven't used yet.

I think I will miss the drill press the most. Just curious... Thanks!
justin

Justin this is a great idea and great thread too - thanks for starting it!

Here is an idea for you: Even Cumpiano has nixed the work board in favor of an outside mold. Design the tool box in such a manner that pieces of it, when opened up, can double as an outside mold but so that the box can still be closed and be a tool box with the mold portions removed. I can visualize a stack where one layer is the mold and it can be removed from the box for use as a mold but the box still functions as a box.

This could be a great thread. I am in the process of drawing up a movable island style work bench that I plan on using to house most of my guitar building stuff. I have only built a Uke and haven't acquired all the tools I need yet, so I plan to build to hold future stuff. But like you I’m sure there is stuff I have not thought of.

Any ideas are appreciated. Or photos of storage techniques.

John

Its possible. Very possible. How good are you at puzzles?

I offer you the Studley Tool Chest. This is a picture that was on the back cover of Fine Woodworking several years ago. It is impressive to say the least.

Arnt has a thread on his shop. He shows a wall hung tool chest that might interest you.

http://www.shopnotes.com/issues/079/ext ... tool-cart/ I like this one. Its on wheels and lots of draw space.

http://plansnow.com/walltoolcab.html This is a variation on what Arnt did. I like the drawers at the bottom.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_jo ... 74416.html But for small tools, I like machinist tool boxes.

For your perusal. http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/reso ... or=&page=8

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Aoibeann

Studley Tool Chest - Unbelievable. Absolutely amazing that someone did that. I mean, it is possible yes, but the time it must have taken is incredible.

I'll start drawing up some ideas and lists of tools with that Studley as an inspiration.

I'd also suggest that you read up on traditional methods of building classical guitars. They evolved using quite basic tooling, so many of the techniques are relevant to Steel String guitars. The Courtnall book and the one by Stanley Doubtfire offer great low tech, simple tooling solutions that are very effective.

There are lots of ways to solve your problem, you just have to adjust the common practice to fit your requirements. For example, you can get the effect of using a radius dish by using a clamping caul to the same radius. OK, so you can't glue in all your braces at one time, but you can still get them in one or two at a time. It just takes longer. You can also use the radius caul as a sanding stick to establish the proper shape to the rim of the guitar.

I don't think that you need a jack plane, but a smoothing plane, absolutely!

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

not sure if this is what u mean (its not a tool box, but it is easy to transport and carry around and used for woodworking), but i saw this on tele the other week and thought it might have some use to those of us with limited space

http://www.power8workshop.com/

not sure what the quality of it is like (looks like the parts wobble a bit in the vid)

however its certainly easier to store and carry around that a small drill press, small table saw, small scroll saw, a jig saw, a circular saw and drill. cheaper aswell lol

dunno if that helps, might make things easier that just using hand tools

probs not made to the high tolerances like most things guitar makers need, but it might fill some of your needs?

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"Anything that happens, happens. Anything that in happening causes something else to happen, causes something else to happen. Anything that in happening happens again, happens again. Though not necessarily in that order." Douglas Adams

Hesh, I like that concept about the mold as a layer of the box. Cool. Also, re: the Studley Tool Chest, I vaguely remember that FINE WOODWORKING later determined that Studley was a piano maker. Maybe that was just speculation, due to all the ebony and ivory in his chest. Good to see it again, in any event. Patrick

check out Frank Fords travel kit....blew my tiny mind when i first saw it!

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier ... /case.html

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