Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:25 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 48 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 3:48 pm 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 06, 2013 12:32 am
Posts: 21
Location: Wonder Lake, Il
Focus: Repair
Status: Amateur
What kind of homemade tools have you made? I did a notched straightedge and some string spreaders recently. If you've got pics I'd love to see them. Might be nice to share some ideas as, we all know tools can get expensive. Thanks.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 5:40 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:57 pm
Posts: 903
Location: London, England
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Last one I made was a fret bender: scrap of wood, washers, bolts, and these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-Replacement-Shower-Door-ROLLERS-Runners-Wheels-V-Grooved-19mm-Dia-LW19-/281049030019?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Bathroom_Shower_Units_PP&hash=item416fd3dd83.
Works well.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 6:01 pm 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:42 am
Posts: 25
A must see. Homemadetools.net. . Click on "new tools", and just go page by page . AWESOME!!!!!



These users thanked the author landrover for the post (total 2): homemadetools (Mon Aug 31, 2015 9:51 pm) • Michael Lloyd (Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:31 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 8:10 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:08 pm
Posts: 1958
Location: Missouri
First name: Patrick
Last Name: Hanna
State: Missouri
Country: USA
Lots of home made tools here. Made a new one today, but that was for a little shotgun work. I suspect your inquiry goes more to luthiery tools. Okay, here's a start. Arch top carving planes. I admire you for making a notched straight edge. I'm not sure I would attempt such a thing.

Patrick


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:23 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 7:50 pm
Posts: 162
First name: Steve
Last Name: Curtis
City: Mangrove Mountain
State: N.S.W
Zip/Postal Code: 2250
Country: Australia
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
landrover wrote:
A must see. Homemadetools.net. . Click on "new tools", and just go page by page . AWESOME!!!!!


Thanks for the link Landy, never seen this site before.

Steve


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:04 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:51 pm
Posts: 1134
Location: Albany NY
First name: David
Last Name: LaPlante
Status: Professional
Over the years I've made a number of tools (mostly because they weren't available at the time) including a thicknessing sander, bridge pin reamer, router templates and modifying Sears router bits to accept guide bearings.
All of these tools required access to a machine lathe and milling machine (which i had before I retired). Now fortunately, all of this stuff is available from folks like Stew Mac but there was once a time when one's ability to do this work depended on making one's own tools.
These days my favorite homemade tool (not made by me but a luthier friend in London) is this little plane (the larger of the two in the back):
Attachment:
Brace tools.jpg


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:20 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:01 pm
Posts: 1887
Location: UK
I like simple. I like cheap. In the manner of the popsicle stick I came up with these purfling cutters (now with cotton wrapping):

Image

They work just like the popsicle rosette cutter, which is to say that they work extremely well. Just like the popsicle rosette cutter, gone are the days of moving a touch forward, a touch back, no. . . just a bit more. . . almost. . . just a hairs. . .



These users thanked the author Michael.N. for the post: Beth Mayer (Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:36 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:24 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:51 pm
Posts: 1134
Location: Albany NY
First name: David
Last Name: LaPlante
Status: Professional
"I like simple. I like cheap".

I agree Michael, one's tools should never be nicer than what one builds with them.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:01 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:03 am
Posts: 6680
Location: Abbotsford, BC Canada
landrover wrote:
A must see. Homemadetools.net. . Click on "new tools", and just go page by page . AWESOME!!!!!


While at homemadetools.net also do a search for Frank Ford, he's got 104 different posts there... ;)

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 4:33 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:46 am
Posts: 1247
First name: Beth
Last Name: Mayer
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Nick Royle wrote:


Hey Nick...could we see a picture of the one you made?

I made a drill bit that had a small aluminum tube extension to allow drilling classical/uke string holes in an already-glued on bridge (ask me why I needed one wow7-eyes ). Todd told me how to do it. I'll try to remember to upload a picture of it when I'm home.
One of the most used homemade "tools" I've made is a couple of bench hooks. A small one allows jointing and trimming of things like the bridge blank. The largest (again made under the virtual guidance of Todd) used to joint back, side, and top plates. Maybe those are more "jig" than "tool".


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 1:44 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:49 pm
Posts: 2915
Location: Norway
I have plenty of home made tools, as I bet most folks who have been at this craft for a while do. Mine are mostly copied or at least inspired by ones I have seen on the net, in books or various publications over the years. Here's one I have seen in numerous configurations, I made mine from some plywood, an ancient plane iron, a couple of bolts and a few bits of hardwood. I'm strictly in the form-follows-function camp... ;)

Image

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:52 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:02 pm
Posts: 195
Location: Glen Burnie Md.
First name: steve
Last Name: barbour
Country: U.S.
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Making your own tools and jigs is a great way for us hobby builders to save some bucks or at least allow us to spend more on materials. Some things just seem to make more sense to buy when you consider set up time and cost, a radius dish comes to mind here. While other things just seem to be easy enough to make or cost enough to buy to make it sensible to try to make. Outside molds, bending forms come to mind here. A couple of other things that seemed reasonable to make are a circle cutting jig for a router.
Attachment:
image.jpg

And for me a drum sander was pricey enough to urge me to make my own.
Attachment:
image.jpg


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Kyle


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 10:52 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:21 am
Posts: 149
Location: Wales U.K.
First name: Anthony
Last Name: Lee
Country: Wales U.K.
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Derek Cohen is a master at making his own tools. http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/index.html


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 1:06 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:46 am
Posts: 1247
First name: Beth
Last Name: Mayer
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Filippo, that fret buck was exactly what I thought of when I read your comment about tools looking nice. Every time you post pictures of your setups, (like the neat, clean and organized drawers of tools) I salivate over them! I aspire to your aesthetic. Thanks for all the pics. I'm not sure what the table with the router pad and T tracks on it and the two hardwood pieces suspended over it, is? (maybe to route the center strip on the back?)
Nice tools in general, guys. This is a great thread.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 1:22 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:46 am
Posts: 1247
First name: Beth
Last Name: Mayer
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Filippo Morelli wrote:
Beth,

For routing electrics ...

Filippo

Image


How cool is that!!? Thanks, Filippo.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:43 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:39 pm
Posts: 149
First name: Anthony
Last Name: Eaton
City: Lamoine
State: ME
Zip/Postal Code: 04605
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Here are just a few tools I've made. I have a few more I've taken pics of but haven't gotten around to resizing them. The moulding planes are not luthier tools but a woodworking tool none the less. Actually there is a paid of moulding planes I've made but for some reason only have a pic of the one. They were the most difficult tool I've made to date but thanks to Larry William's great DVD it was doable for me.

This is a great thread and hope i gets a lot of action. I am also in the camp of function over form but if you're taking the time to make a tool that will be with you for a while then why not make it as beautiful and as careful as you can achieve. A good looking and feeling tool is a joy to use that will continue to inspire you to do good work while using it.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:02 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:57 pm
Posts: 1982
Location: 8.33±0.35 kpc from Galactic center, 20 light-years above the equatorial in the Sol System
First name: duh
Last Name: Padma
City: Professional Sawdust Maker
Focus: Build
Tools eh...

well here be a few (me not gonna show you all) laughing6-hehe

Image

Image

Image

In fact...me whole shop is one big homemade tool...is true...go here

http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=25595


blessings
duh ?adma

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.



.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:39 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:59 am
Posts: 675
First name: Eric
Last Name: Reid
City: Ben Lomond
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 95005
Country: USA
Status: Professional
My most useful self-made tools are chisels and knives. I made cutting tools long before I made guitars. When I started out, Alexander Weygers was my idol. His books are still the best introduction to tool-making that I know of. Try this: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Modern-Blacksmith-Alexander-Weygers/dp/0898158966



These users thanked the author Eric Reid for the post: Michael Lloyd (Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:49 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:06 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
Posts: 5743
First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
Country: Good old US of A
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
Man, I trained as a tool maker and have been doing luthier stuff since the 70's. I thought I'd post some of my useful handmade tools, but I'd look like a chump. Mine function well, but they aren't beautiful like what I see here.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:40 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:57 pm
Posts: 903
Location: London, England
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Don't worry, Chris, I'm about to lower the standard on display considerably!

Beth,
Sorry for the delay, here is the fret bender... Tis ugly as sin but it worked! :)

Bolts, wingnuts, washers, and these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-Replacement-Shower-Door-ROLLERS-Runners-Wheels-V-Grooved-19mm-Dia-LW19-/281049030019?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Bathroom_Shower_Units_PP&hash=item416fd3dd83.
(The right roller is secured in an elongated slot by a wingnut, and slides up and down to change the radius.)

Thinking about it now, maybe it's best to slide the washers up and down rather than the roller.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:07 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 1:11 pm
Posts: 2335
Location: Spokane, Washington
First name: Pat
Last Name: Foster
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Great stuff here!

Filippo, the elegance of your tools has always blown me away.

I'm putting the final touches on a table saw sled fixture for cutting neck tenons, with an adjustable angle.

I also have a simple sled for cutting the taper on fretboards and vanilla jigs for rosettes and bridge slots.

Pat

_________________
formerly known around here as burbank
_________________

http://www.patfosterguitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 10:02 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:55 pm
Posts: 3820
Location: Taiwan
First name: Tai
Last Name: Fu
City: Taipei
Country: Taiwan
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
I have some...

A router sled for planing large pieces of wood (such as a table top)... Note the spiderweb because I don't actually build that many tables... the shop isn't big enough.

Attachment:
1.jpg


My new workbench. There's nothing heavy enough in Taiwan, so I made my own out of discarded floor board.

Attachment:
2.jpg

Attachment:
3.jpg


A Wells Karol jig made from plexiglass, because I can't find UMHW and nobody knows what it is. It works well enough. Also below that: a bending iron. The wells karol jig is permanently attached to a router base so all I need to do is slide the motor in.

Attachment:
4.jpg


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:23 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:01 pm
Posts: 3031
First name: Tony
Last Name: C
City: Brooklyn
State: NY
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
That's a pretty excellent idea keeping the router base attached to the circle jig, Tai-Fu. I never thought of buying additional bases, I just bought more routers so I didn't have to attach jigs. Your way is much cheaper I would reckon.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:30 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:55 pm
Posts: 3820
Location: Taiwan
First name: Tai
Last Name: Fu
City: Taipei
Country: Taiwan
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
By the way that only works for certain models... sometimes you can't always buy bases for a given router. I use the Rexon/Jepson Taiwanese trimmers where the base sells for about 6 dollars a piece, vs. the machine itself (which is about 30 dollars), so it makes sense to dedicate bases rather than whole routers. However I do have a Dewalt Laminate trimmer that I can't find bases for... only places I found wants 50 dollars for it and I actually paid less on the laminate trimmer itself... but then again it was used/display model.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Homemade tools
PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:14 pm 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 06, 2013 12:32 am
Posts: 21
Location: Wonder Lake, Il
Focus: Repair
Status: Amateur
Here is the noticed straightedge I made. I use a drafting square cut down to 19" with the end removed. I leveled it with the leveling beam, cut the notches and file the smooth. It straight it's homemade and best, it was only $10.
Image
011 by Bohdan79, on Flickr


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 48 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 48 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com