Angles and curves and shapes, oh my! I don't build guitars but I do a lot of novice woodworking, and I learn so much from your channel. This hand-tool build is especially intriguing and most of my tools are, in fact, hand tools. Heck, I might even build a guitar! Thanks for making this series. I'm really enjoying it.
I like the idea of a limited tool build with reasonably priced hand tools and power tools. I also like learning about some of the cool vintage tools that you have and how they work. So more videos please!
One of the reasons I watch this channel is because of your thought process on things like "Yes, I'm going to go and buy a ridiculously rare and exceedingly expensive tool that I will use for just this one particular thing and probably never use again until I find a justification to use it in every build." like with that treadle lathe you mentioned. It's things like that, make a fella go "yes, yes you should totally do that." while watching.
Idea for the restricted tools build: Limited budget for tools (I'd suggest £150-200), which must be available from places like B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation, etc. The one thing that might be an issue is a suitable fret saw, but I'm sure you'll be able to figure a way around that. That would actually answer a question from new builders that crops up on guitar building pages a lot.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am building a bass for my wife and the neck bowed on me after I had glued on and radiused the fret board. I have enough material on the back of the neck to plane it flat again, but I was at a loss as to how to stabilize it. The masking tape-superglue-binding shims is the answer. Now I can move forward.
One of cool ways to get strait cuts with saw is basically putting a saw "plate" between 2 sheets of plywood (protruding a centimetre or 2), so it's nice and square and it's laying parallel with the bench. . You mark your piece with the marking gauge, put it in the vice and level the marking with the saw cutting height and go to town. With japanese replacement blades you can get really thin and clean cut.
Fun stuff! I always cut my fret slots with the board unmounted, it's just easier to put in a jig. I also carve my necks entirely by hand, just because I enjoy it. I form the curved parts at the head and heel with a large Microplane (if you haven't tried one, you really owe it to yourself, it's like a more advanced Stanley Sureform that leaves a much cleaner surface) rough between with a drawknife, and smooth with a Wood River spokeshave (one of my favorite tools). Then use the old 'boot shine' sanding with a sanding belt to smooth the curve. I used to use knives, chisels, and gouges for sculpting the heel and headstock curves, but the Microplane does it so much more efficiently. It's also easier to be repeatable. The big curved one that fits in a hacksaw frame is a serious game changer.
love the fact that Ben wants to make to the highest standard (as I do) and with this 'hand tool only' he is having to do the work like many of us mortals do; in the garage, with what we have been able to get as tools (I even have to use an old rikety black and decker work bench). Keep struggling and at the same time encouraging us to do likewise (my latest is an attempt at a jazzmaster acoustasonic - a lot of brain work to get things to work).
The limited tools build idea is a nice one. However it might be more interesting to go with a minimal viable tools build. Set yourself a price point (and use a new tool price so that the purchase is a viable one and not dependant on luck) and work out the minimal set of tools to create an instrument of the quality that justifies the time and effort someone would put into the build. The task would reasonably involve building more tools (I'm especially thinking clamps here, but also jigs). Rather than just an entertaining "Can Ben do it?" challenge, it might become "Ben inspires people so that they build guitars." Maybe something along the lines of: Japanese pull saw (double edged for rip and crosscut) Hand plane Coping saw A couple of chisels A couple of rasps and files Drill and drills Add the needed 3M abrasive films for scary sharp and a glass plate Crimson Guitars luthier speciality tools: Dunno, you now better than I. Fret cutting saw, radius gauges, levelling guide...
"Ben inspires people so that they build guitars." This idea really speaks to me. I don't have a huge set of tools or a fancy work area, so it would be awesome to know what the minimum set of tools would be that would get me there.
I'm a coffee person, and (un)fortunately one not getting the benefits of coffee as a wake-me-up. So coffee at 8pm sounds splendid after a good day's work!
I remember being taught at school, when cutting any thick piece of wood, to scribe as you did, then cut a V on both ends to create a guide to start with which helps to allow the blade to maintain a straighter cut
Stumbled across this series a couple of weeks ago. I've never built a guitar but new lockdown hobby is woodworking - still learning lots. I bought my own sapele fence post on Wednesday, and now have a truss rod and tuning hardware from Amazon and a saddle and nut on the way. I am spending a lot of time in Fusion 360 figuring it out first, and finding all those little details that Ben, with his years of experience, just draws. I've told my partner that I am hoping to build something that looks like a guitar - whether it sounds like a guitar, or is playable remains to be seen!
Dear Ben... Allow me to correct you... It is NEVER too late for coffee! And one can never have too many coffees in one day.... And coffee is life. Also, you are amazing and I absolutely adore your builds! Thank you so much for the awesome content!
Ooh, that's something I'd like to see you do: A guitar build with only tools you can get at the local DIY. How would you solve the problem of not having specific luthiers tools and aides?
Ben, “I’ve never carved a neck with a knife, and that’s what I’m going to do!” Guaranteeing this build will be longer than the complication. 🤣 I’m always amazed at how easy you make wood working look, I’ve never done it, but you make me want to. Although you have that patience of a saint, I have the patience of Veruca Salt!
Ben inspired me to try and I never knew I could love it so much going through the process of trying, failing, trying, failing, resisting swearing, trying, and finally succeeding.
Late to this thread! - and haven't read all the other posts so go easy on me. Classic way to rip cut is to lower hand as you did but then turn wood around and repeat from other side. Paul Sellers is a great promoter of hand tools and explains exactly how to use them. Search for his knife wall technique. Would love to try to build a guitar, but I'm musically challenged - tone deaf, but love to watch your builds.
Have i missed Ben and his building??? YES!! Ben "Squirrelmind" Crowe, i can see them run behind youre eyes with new ideés, making you go nuts on what you are building, and i just love to see you work!
First thing I learned in carpentry school was to lay my index finger on the side of the saw handle and not in the hole. Pointing your finger in the direction of the cut gives direction and prevents wobbling. And do not make the cut from two sides hoping to meet in the middle (unless you're Japanese and using a Ryoba with Japanese fine mobility) And for glueing music I would suggest Rolling stones' " sticky fingers"
The power drill I can forgive, but decaf?! I demand a tearful apology video, another round of auctioning off some of your personal hand tool collection and a store wide 10% discount with code 'coffee10'! On a serious note though, I very much enjoy this particular build and the channel as a whole. Being a novice woodworker with the fortunate luxury of access to a wide variety of tools and machinery but no experience in luthiery whatsoever, this channel has been an invaluable source of insight and information guiding me in my own ongoing project of (very slowly) building a CBG-inspired 4 string, electric solid body guitar-like abomination. Thanks Ben!
I have a Martin Backpacker, which is great fun, but I feel, quite unplayable without a strap! This guitar looks as though it will be a little bigger in form, which could negate this and also add volume! Great stuff Ben!
I really adore the craftmanship displayed in your videos. Having worked with wood myself in my twenties (we built small sailboats as a hobby), I do wonder how long certain steps of your build have taken you. For example the sawing off of the fretboard- through the cutting of the video there is no hint anymore on how much work it was. Same goes for plaining of fretboard radiuses for example. Have you ever considered including something like a timer or timestamp to illustrate how long some processes take?
I used to think that decaf coffee was completely pointless. But then I developed a heart arrhythmia and was told to not have caffeine and I love coffee so thank God for decaf!
You are literally all I watch on UA-cam you seem so humble and I wish I could make my own guitars I've just helped a friend fit a new tusk nut I really want to get into it I just don't know where to start
Very nice work, I bet it will sound great.The first guitar I built was a all mahogany from a shipping crate.It was a dreadnot acoustic. I didn't have any power tools at that time, so I used a coping saw utility knife hand saw and sand paper. It wasnt very fancy but played and sounds great. I did however buy a slotted fretboard, and I put a single plastic binding on the guitar top using a small block of wood and a utility knife blade attached to the block to cut out the channel. thank God for power tools.
Good deal Ben. Was happy to see you do some work on the travel guitar build even though it surprised me being posted so lat to me in the morning. saw it at around 3:00 am and watched it all the way. Thank you sleep is after all over rated. Yes I know I could have just gone to bed and watched it later and maybe that's what I should have done but I don't sleep much anyway. Looking good and interesting so far.
Limited tool build: I would LOVE to see you just choose, new, a dozen or 2 tools to make a begenning builders setup, and build 2 very different styles from it. Could even be sold hinthint.
Ben, don’t worry about the drill, most people that are interested in this will have a hand drill and 100% of people who would even consider attempting this own a drill. It’s all good brother
Watching you work, hearing you disparage your own skill with a saw makes me think...if you think you're lacking skill with that saw, I can't imagine what you would think of my skill with any hand tool. :) But seriously, I love seeing your progress and learning how you approach a build. It's very inspiring.
Looking good, Ben. Had a friend asking me about putting in truss rods/CF rods. Told him he needs to check out this build (and your channel, in general)
This video series is going to be an exercise in Ben making his life hard because of tool masochism. Also I have to say I've become a HUGE fan of the masking tape and superglue trick if you want to nail something down to work on it. I'm not sure if doublesided tape leaves unwanted residue, but I've noticed nothing beats nailing something absolutely down with masking tape. The number of times I've used doublesided tape and have it still come loose was infuriating.
Ben, you made the radius on the fretboard blank centered. But have you glued the fretboard fitting to the outer edge of the neck or also centered? If it's the former, wouldn't be the radius asymmetric to the neck with the highest point not on the centerline?
What if you did a Swiss Army knife build in the woods? You would probably need one of the Champ models of the knife to do it, but maybe not. It wouldn't necessarily have to be a standard guitar either, just some stringed instrument. It's a crazy idea, I know, but maybe it could give you another idea that might work. I love these types of builds. Spring pole lathes are pretty rudimentary, but they work.
Ben talking about the pedal powered lathe, when he was saying it wasn't a good idea as they're so rare and expensive I was half expecting a brief pause followed by "....and so I bought one!" 🤣
Ok, so I've got a challenge for a video series I would very much enjoy watching. A severely limited resources build. Ben is not allowed to use any of his usual tools, but he has £150 to take to the hardware store to buy everything he's going to need to build a guitar. (This would include such things as sand paper, superglue, varnish etc.) For the materials, they would have to be procured for free. (And not in the Crimson Guitars wood shed) This would force Ben to think like a very new builder of say 15-16, and show off how you could build, maybe not a brilliant, awesome guitar, but a decent one with creative design, and also have some tools and skills for your next build.
Lol it's not possible unless your a 16 year old who has a dad that just happens to have a whole tool shed. Even a very very minimalist build would cost $250 and that's if you already have most of the tools. Could you piece together something for $150, sure. But I could also build you a car for $500 but that doesn't mean you or anyone else would ever want to drive it. I get not having the funds more than most people for sure but if you're going to build a guitar and spend all the time to see it through it would be a total waste to use poor materials and minimal disposables like sandpaper etc. Plus you've got to finish it and finish sand it and blah blah blah blah. My first build was a telecaster I still play and love but it's obvious it was my first if you spend some time with it. I spent about $400 and that's just a basic standard mahogany telecaster with a maple board.
@@michaelinglis8516 90% of the tools you "really have to have" are in the "well, not really" category. UA-cam builders get given these by tool manufacturers and perpetuate the myth. Strip all this away, and be a little bit creative and patient, and you can get away very cheaply. One of the runners up on the first GGBO did just this.
Paul Sellers in his videos show nice ways to saw straight. Recommended watch :) Basically saw from both sides, dropping the saw down to an angle to follow the line, turn workpiece and repeat until finished.
I’m much more interested in a “use only tools the average bloke would have in his garage” build. Would be of most use to me, and I’m sure many many others
Music for gluing stuff together could include Joni Mitchell's 1971 album, "Glue", or maybe something by the Jon Spencer Glues Explosion. Perhaps something by Stick Cave could work, too. If you wanted to glue stuff together outside, you could do worse than put Baba O'Reily (by The Glue) on, what with the first line being "adhere in the fields". You could also try "Mad about the Gloy" and Abba's wonderful hit "Superglue Trooper". I'll stop now.
Ben, cut/file a millimeter or two off the nut-end of the truss rod, that welded joint is usually 10-12mm long anyway… should give you the fit you’re looking for.
Was looking forward to what your handtool version of fire was going to be... but we got the blowtorch (with piezo ignition) - cavemen luthiers probably used different types of rocks as grinding / sanding tools, would they have used the cooking camp fire to "BURN IT"?
Yes, do indeed do another build with all hand tools, which includes powered hand tools as well. This is my arsenal (all hand-held): Jigsaw Electric Drill Router Angle Grinder RO Sander Aluminum Sanding Beams Picture Frame Saw Rasps and Files Brass Hammer Glue Clamps You can make an electric guitar from scratch with the above. Not quickly, mind you, but quite successfully.
IMO the challenges you look for should be something that pushes you creatively, not something that does nothing but make your life more difficult for the sake of it. Sure, you could probably carve something with a soup spoon you sharpened, or shape an entire body with nothing but sanders, but what does that really accomplish? The end result would be the same, it's just making the process itself harder and take a lot longer. A challenge that makes you look at the project from a different angle is much better. For example, this hand tool build from a single square stock made you have to plan and think through the entire build before even grabbing a saw. The challenge came from figuring out how to properly manage using the wood and using tools you don't use as often. Carving the neck with a knife is another challenge that pushes you creatively and I like that.
Thank you :) I agree with this 100%. It is about the creativity or about pushing the boundaries of my current skill set.. ie. Turns out I'm not great with panels saws and need to practice that dome more.. and I shall, in the next budget tool build at the very least.. Thank you for commenting and for your support.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that has his heart (briefly) stop when a clamped piece falls over. MY heart stopped there when it fell over.
I was so happy when I saw your little plane working. Smiles all round.
Thank you, me too!
Angles and curves and shapes, oh my!
I don't build guitars but I do a lot of novice woodworking, and I learn so much from your channel. This hand-tool build is especially intriguing and most of my tools are, in fact, hand tools. Heck, I might even build a guitar! Thanks for making this series. I'm really enjoying it.
Great to hear, and you HAVE to make a guitar now, it's part of the price of watching this channel :)
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars Joined! Hmm... now where to find a piece of wood. I can't promise all hand tools but still, this could be interesting.
I like the idea of a limited tool build with reasonably priced hand tools and power tools. I also like learning about some of the cool vintage tools that you have and how they work. So more videos please!
Hey Ben, I will make sure to do both, and a LOT of both at that :)
One of the reasons I watch this channel is because of your thought process on things like "Yes, I'm going to go and buy a ridiculously rare and exceedingly expensive tool that I will use for just this one particular thing and probably never use again until I find a justification to use it in every build." like with that treadle lathe you mentioned. It's things like that, make a fella go "yes, yes you should totally do that." while watching.
Idea for the restricted tools build: Limited budget for tools (I'd suggest £150-200), which must be available from places like B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation, etc. The one thing that might be an issue is a suitable fret saw, but I'm sure you'll be able to figure a way around that.
That would actually answer a question from new builders that crops up on guitar building pages a lot.
I love the sound of this.. limited budget build to include tools. Should be fun!
I agree on this one. Sourcing wood for free would be good too.
A fret saw can be replaced with a coping saw.
Seconded! How about a total budget of max 500? Would include tools, wood and hardware.
I don't know the curf for fret slots but some of the inexpensive micro hobby saws on ebay and such might do the trick. They just won't last very long.
I was just looking for something chill to watch while having breakfast! Perfect timing!
Wow and I was just looking for a video to go to sleep too and wow this is perfect, time travel is cool
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am building a bass for my wife and the neck bowed on me after I had glued on and radiused the fret board. I have enough material on the back of the neck to plane it flat again, but I was at a loss as to how to stabilize it. The masking tape-superglue-binding shims is the answer. Now I can move forward.
Episode 4.2: professional luthier makes his own treadle-powered lathe using only handtools.
Episode 6.35261: Professional luthier gets really fed up and generates his own electricity using 47 chisels...
very surprised Ben hasnt looked up on how to make a pole lathe by now
Why not pole lathe? Totaly doable.
Ben clones himself using only the boxwood rebate plane
So creative , humble, and a very good woodworker !!!
One of cool ways to get strait cuts with saw is basically putting a saw "plate" between 2 sheets of plywood (protruding a centimetre or 2), so it's nice and square and it's laying parallel with the bench. . You mark your piece with the marking gauge, put it in the vice and level the marking with the saw cutting height and go to town. With japanese replacement blades you can get really thin and clean cut.
Fun stuff! I always cut my fret slots with the board unmounted, it's just easier to put in a jig. I also carve my necks entirely by hand, just because I enjoy it. I form the curved parts at the head and heel with a large Microplane (if you haven't tried one, you really owe it to yourself, it's like a more advanced Stanley Sureform that leaves a much cleaner surface) rough between with a drawknife, and smooth with a Wood River spokeshave (one of my favorite tools). Then use the old 'boot shine' sanding with a sanding belt to smooth the curve. I used to use knives, chisels, and gouges for sculpting the heel and headstock curves, but the Microplane does it so much more efficiently. It's also easier to be repeatable. The big curved one that fits in a hacksaw frame is a serious game changer.
love the fact that Ben wants to make to the highest standard (as I do) and with this 'hand tool only' he is having to do the work like many of us mortals do; in the garage, with what we have been able to get as tools (I even have to use an old rikety black and decker work bench). Keep struggling and at the same time encouraging us to do likewise (my latest is an attempt at a jazzmaster acoustasonic - a lot of brain work to get things to work).
Your expertise is unseen by most, your allocation of limited resources, I.e. time is also a sufferer. All my love with you, sir 🙏🏿
The limited tools build idea is a nice one. However it might be more interesting to go with a minimal viable tools build. Set yourself a price point (and use a new tool price so that the purchase is a viable one and not dependant on luck) and work out the minimal set of tools to create an instrument of the quality that justifies the time and effort someone would put into the build. The task would reasonably involve building more tools (I'm especially thinking clamps here, but also jigs).
Rather than just an entertaining "Can Ben do it?" challenge, it might become "Ben inspires people so that they build guitars."
Maybe something along the lines of:
Japanese pull saw (double edged for rip and crosscut)
Hand plane
Coping saw
A couple of chisels
A couple of rasps and files
Drill and drills
Add the needed 3M abrasive films for scary sharp and a glass plate
Crimson Guitars luthier speciality tools:
Dunno, you now better than I. Fret cutting saw, radius gauges, levelling guide...
"Ben inspires people so that they build guitars."
This idea really speaks to me. I don't have a huge set of tools or a fancy work area, so it would be awesome to know what the minimum set of tools would be that would get me there.
Sounds cool.
Clamps: ua-cam.com/video/iyKiY-OK7WM/v-deo.html
basic tools
top 10 tools
Febony and Lievory live together in perfect harmony...
The burnt mahogany really turned out beautifully. I really didn't think that it would look so luxurious.
It will look even better under an oil finish in the end
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars Can't wait to see. Merry Christmas Ben to you and yours!
I'm a coffee person, and (un)fortunately one not getting the benefits of coffee as a wake-me-up. So coffee at 8pm sounds splendid after a good day's work!
Please come back and continue this project. It is by far my favorite build ever from CG UK
It is going to be finished. Lots going on at Crimson HQ the last couple of weeks. DC
I remember being taught at school, when cutting any thick piece of wood, to scribe as you did, then cut a V on both ends to create a guide to start with which helps to allow the blade to maintain a straighter cut
I love all your guitars!
I would enjoy watching a build series we're the only tools allowed are hand tools which are readily available at a general hardware store.
OK. I'll make.it happen
Stumbled across this series a couple of weeks ago. I've never built a guitar but new lockdown hobby is woodworking - still learning lots. I bought my own sapele fence post on Wednesday, and now have a truss rod and tuning hardware from Amazon and a saddle and nut on the way. I am spending a lot of time in Fusion 360 figuring it out first, and finding all those little details that Ben, with his years of experience, just draws. I've told my partner that I am hoping to build something that looks like a guitar - whether it sounds like a guitar, or is playable remains to be seen!
Beginner shop build. YES. Saber saw ( reciprocating saw), skil saw, drill, router, 1 plane (#2?), 4 piece chisel set, and that's it.
"But... Using fire could be fun"
How right you are Ben.
I never even noticed the drill lol. When you need a hole you reach for the drill lol. AND ITS NEVER TOO LATE FOR COFFEE ! Nice job Been !!
Dear Ben... Allow me to correct you... It is NEVER too late for coffee! And one can never have too many coffees in one day.... And coffee is life. Also, you are amazing and I absolutely adore your builds! Thank you so much for the awesome content!
Lol. You of are perfectly correct. Thank you xx
Shout out to the editor the video was great! Ben was also great lol!
But the editor is better.. you should see what I give them ti start with
Ahhh! I remember the good old days when we had nothing but hand tools like a... blowtorch to help us do the work!😁😁
Ooh, that's something I'd like to see you do: A guitar build with only tools you can get at the local DIY. How would you solve the problem of not having specific luthiers tools and aides?
ok
I’m a little late to this series, but I’m greatly enjoying it!
Ben, “I’ve never carved a neck with a knife, and that’s what I’m going to do!” Guaranteeing this build will be longer than the complication. 🤣 I’m always amazed at how easy you make wood working look, I’ve never done it, but you make me want to. Although you have that patience of a saint, I have the patience of Veruca Salt!
I sincerely hope you do give it a go, I derive so much joy from making things that I feel the need to preach the word dar and wide 😀
Ben inspired me to try and I never knew I could love it so much going through the process of trying, failing, trying, failing, resisting swearing, trying, and finally succeeding.
@@the_shadow_hog oh if I give it a go…there will be swearing! 😂
Well, you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess. It's still worth trying
I'm surprised the "carving a neck with a knife" got past YT algorithms for bad keywords & phrases...
Late to this thread! - and haven't read all the other posts so go easy on me. Classic way to rip cut is to lower hand as you did but then turn wood around and repeat from other side. Paul Sellers is a great promoter of hand tools and explains exactly how to use them. Search for his knife wall technique. Would love to try to build a guitar, but I'm musically challenged - tone deaf, but love to watch your builds.
Have i missed Ben and his building??? YES!! Ben "Squirrelmind" Crowe, i can see them run behind youre eyes with new ideés, making you go nuts on what you are building, and i just love to see you work!
First thing I learned in carpentry school was to lay my index finger on the side of the saw handle and not in the hole. Pointing your finger in the direction of the cut gives direction and prevents wobbling. And do not make the cut from two sides hoping to meet in the middle (unless you're Japanese and using a Ryoba with Japanese fine mobility)
And for glueing music I would suggest Rolling stones' " sticky fingers"
The power drill I can forgive, but decaf?! I demand a tearful apology video, another round of auctioning off some of your personal hand tool collection and a store wide 10% discount with code 'coffee10'!
On a serious note though, I very much enjoy this particular build and the channel as a whole. Being a novice woodworker with the fortunate luxury of access to a wide variety of tools and machinery but no experience in luthiery whatsoever, this channel has been an invaluable source of insight and information guiding me in my own ongoing project of (very slowly) building a CBG-inspired 4 string, electric solid body guitar-like abomination. Thanks Ben!
Don’t worry Ben! Still fascinating - can’t wait to see/hear this instrument!
Thank you. Me neither!
I have a Martin Backpacker, which is great fun, but I feel, quite unplayable without a strap!
This guitar looks as though it will be a little bigger in form, which could negate this and also add volume!
Great stuff Ben!
Ben, you are right, buying a treadle powered lathe is a bad idea..... however..... MAKING one of your own.... GREAT idea.
I agree.. that could be an awesome project
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars there are plans for building them on the interwebz
somewhere in storage, i have the bandsaw that my dad built as a shop class project in high school in the 1950's.
I just want to say I find all your videos entertaining and informative, Ben!
Thank you, I appreciate you saying this.
The main thing is not to rush.
GooD)))))))
I really adore the craftmanship displayed in your videos. Having worked with wood myself in my twenties (we built small sailboats as a hobby), I do wonder how long certain steps of your build have taken you. For example the sawing off of the fretboard- through the cutting of the video there is no hint anymore on how much work it was. Same goes for plaining of fretboard radiuses for example. Have you ever considered including something like a timer or timestamp to illustrate how long some processes take?
That's a great idea, thank you!
So happy to see this build take shape. Such a massive amount of work and talent. Hope I can do this one day.
I used to think that decaf coffee was completely pointless. But then I developed a heart arrhythmia and was told to not have caffeine and I love coffee so thank God for decaf!
You are literally all I watch on UA-cam you seem so humble and I wish I could make my own guitars I've just helped a friend fit a new tusk nut I really want to get into it I just don't know where to start
LOve the way this is tunring Ben. Well done and nice fingerboard
Thank you
Loving this series!
Loving this series,you need some vintage clamps😉🤘
they would look more in keeping with the rest of my setup but I really do love the ease of quick clamps :)
always fun to watch these builds and learn new things.
also i'm number four
19:16 Just want to point out that you left the lighter behind the block, right next to where you're torching haha
Very nice work, I bet it will sound great.The first guitar I built was a all mahogany from a shipping crate.It was a dreadnot acoustic. I didn't have any power tools at that time, so I used a coping saw utility knife hand saw and sand paper. It wasnt very fancy but played and sounds great. I did however buy a slotted fretboard, and I put a single plastic binding on the guitar top using a small block of wood and a utility knife blade attached to the block to cut out the channel. thank God for power tools.
I'm seriously impressed that you managed to build a functioning acoustic guitar with just those tools, you are the real deal!
Good deal Ben. Was happy to see you do some work on the travel guitar build even though it surprised me being posted so lat to me in the morning. saw it at around 3:00 am and watched it all the way. Thank you sleep is after all over rated. Yes I know I could have just gone to bed and watched it later and maybe that's what I should have done but I don't sleep much anyway.
Looking good and interesting so far.
Limited tool build: I would LOVE to see you just choose, new, a dozen or 2 tools to make a begenning builders setup, and build 2 very different styles from it. Could even be sold hinthint.
Damn fine idea!
Ben!!! You know we all want a complication v2 hand tool build
Ouch!! That really would be an insane project lol
Ben, don’t worry about the drill, most people that are interested in this will have a hand drill and 100% of people who would even consider attempting this own a drill. It’s all good brother
Watching you work, hearing you disparage your own skill with a saw makes me think...if you think you're lacking skill with that saw, I can't imagine what you would think of my skill with any hand tool. :) But seriously, I love seeing your progress and learning how you approach a build. It's very inspiring.
It's never too late for coffee!!
Ideal :)
Yay, episode 3! 😀👍
Would be fun to see you make and use a spring pole lathe :) great video.
And a treadle band saw?
Those mahogany curls, suspended in resin, could make something interesting.
Is there anywhere we can find a clear picture of the paper plan? The plan looks like it would make a very distinct and interesting poster
Once the build is done Crimson will be adding that plan to the Shop. DC
Love the process... Plus that you're always learning... Love it
I don't think this build is EVER going to end! UGH!
Looking good, Ben. Had a friend asking me about putting in truss rods/CF rods. Told him he needs to check out this build (and your channel, in general)
thank you. DC
This video series is going to be an exercise in Ben making his life hard because of tool masochism.
Also I have to say I've become a HUGE fan of the masking tape and superglue trick if you want to nail something down to work on it. I'm not sure if doublesided tape leaves unwanted residue, but I've noticed nothing beats nailing something absolutely down with masking tape. The number of times I've used doublesided tape and have it still come loose was infuriating.
Ben, you made the radius on the fretboard blank centered. But have you glued the fretboard fitting to the outer edge of the neck or also centered?
If it's the former, wouldn't be the radius asymmetric to the neck with the highest point not on the centerline?
What if you did a Swiss Army knife build in the woods? You would probably need one of the Champ models of the knife to do it, but maybe not. It wouldn't necessarily have to be a standard guitar either, just some stringed instrument. It's a crazy idea, I know, but maybe it could give you another idea that might work. I love these types of builds.
Spring pole lathes are pretty rudimentary, but they work.
Talk to me..... Decaf....... Nope that just not right....... Loving the build
Ben talking about the pedal powered lathe, when he was saying it wasn't a good idea as they're so rare and expensive I was half expecting a brief pause followed by "....and so I bought one!" 🤣
I really should have done exactly that!a damn it 😒
Did I hear that correctly??
"More madness than even I would put up with".
Is that possible?
Might could be 😉
“That’s not a hand tool, that’s a welding machine” feels like something I’d see on a shirt.
Good idea 💡
Still loving watching you build guitars, dude! Hope you're doing well and taking care of yourself.
Hey Ben, what is your playlist? Have you ever posted it? Thanks.
10:22, braze, silver solder or flame weld it.
Ok, so I've got a challenge for a video series I would very much enjoy watching. A severely limited resources build. Ben is not allowed to use any of his usual tools, but he has £150 to take to the hardware store to buy everything he's going to need to build a guitar. (This would include such things as sand paper, superglue, varnish etc.)
For the materials, they would have to be procured for free. (And not in the Crimson Guitars wood shed)
This would force Ben to think like a very new builder of say 15-16, and show off how you could build, maybe not a brilliant, awesome guitar, but a decent one with creative design, and also have some tools and skills for your next build.
Lol it's not possible unless your a 16 year old who has a dad that just happens to have a whole tool shed. Even a very very minimalist build would cost $250 and that's if you already have most of the tools. Could you piece together something for $150, sure. But I could also build you a car for $500 but that doesn't mean you or anyone else would ever want to drive it. I get not having the funds more than most people for sure but if you're going to build a guitar and spend all the time to see it through it would be a total waste to use poor materials and minimal disposables like sandpaper etc. Plus you've got to finish it and finish sand it and blah blah blah blah. My first build was a telecaster I still play and love but it's obvious it was my first if you spend some time with it. I spent about $400 and that's just a basic standard mahogany telecaster with a maple board.
@@michaelinglis8516 90% of the tools you "really have to have" are in the "well, not really" category. UA-cam builders get given these by tool manufacturers and perpetuate the myth. Strip all this away, and be a little bit creative and patient, and you can get away very cheaply. One of the runners up on the first GGBO did just this.
Don't you think the stresses generated by burning will warp the the board after it is cut off? I guess we will see, good lesson for me!
I was prepared to bin the whole thing if needed but no, it came off straight and true so.all good.
I really don't mind that you used the drill. The end result is the key. Build on my friend.
Paul Sellers in his videos show nice ways to saw straight. Recommended watch :)
Basically saw from both sides, dropping the saw down to an angle to follow the line, turn workpiece and repeat until finished.
Lovely stuff.
I’m much more interested in a “use only tools the average bloke would have in his garage” build. Would be of most use to me, and I’m sure many many others
Wont be a high end instrument then
@@bennybooboo6789 nor will the one id be building, but knowing how to use DIY type tools to their maximum potential would definitely help
You need to build a samurai carpenter work bench epic!! 😃
Gluing music: "Adhesive", Stone Temple Pilots; "Stuck On You", Lionel Richie; "Paste", Hinder.
Stuck in the Middle with you - Stealers Wheel
Anything by Gorillaz......
Loving this build!
Thank-you.
Music for gluing stuff together could include Joni Mitchell's 1971 album, "Glue", or maybe something by the Jon Spencer Glues Explosion. Perhaps something by Stick Cave could work, too. If you wanted to glue stuff together outside, you could do worse than put Baba O'Reily (by The Glue) on, what with the first line being "adhere in the fields". You could also try "Mad about the Gloy" and Abba's wonderful hit "Superglue Trooper". I'll stop now.
Using fire can be fun😄👍
Hell yes it can 😀
I add a thin piece of wood to the top of stress rod so there is no gaps and plain it level to glue surface. Has to fit snug, P.S. love your builds
Good shout, I'll try that some.time.
The guitar is looking great, I love the design. And enjoying the hand tools! I think using the battery hand drill was acceptable :-)
:) THank you
Ben, cut/file a millimeter or two off the nut-end of the truss rod, that welded joint is usually 10-12mm long anyway… should give you the fit you’re looking for.
Did you get any noticeable fire-hardening on the surface? cool look!
yes, you do.. and it will be improved further once the oil has been applied.
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars Ty
Was looking forward to what your handtool version of fire was going to be... but we got the blowtorch (with piezo ignition) - cavemen luthiers probably used different types of rocks as grinding / sanding tools, would they have used the cooking camp fire to "BURN IT"?
Oh now, I missed a trick!! Dammit. 😞
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars Can you make fire by rubbing two guitars together? Now that's a 'musical prepper' party trick I'd like to see...
@@davidking3699 as long as one of them is a fender....
has that torch an electrical sparker?
ive tried carving with a knife, its fun. but hard to get a straight finish. but sanding and such after can smooth it fine
Good to know, thank you!
gluing music...Velvet Underground's "I'm sticking with you"
It would have been so nice to see a Natural mahogany fretboard!
Love the burned fretboard idea :)
Mr Ben What type of joint are you using for neck to body joint ?
Just a traditional electric guitar mortise, as basic as I can make it on this one
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars I love the build.I cant wait for it's completion
Yes, do indeed do another build with all hand tools, which includes powered hand tools as well.
This is my arsenal (all hand-held):
Jigsaw
Electric Drill
Router
Angle Grinder
RO Sander
Aluminum Sanding Beams
Picture Frame Saw
Rasps and Files
Brass Hammer
Glue
Clamps
You can make an electric guitar from scratch with the above. Not quickly, mind you, but quite successfully.
The planing of the fret board made me so happy with that close up, is that weird smh anyway. Fun series so far :)
Maybe a Paul Sellers style knife wall would help with keeping the saw straight on the rip cut?
that's pretty much what I did in the end, and yes, it helped a lot
IMO the challenges you look for should be something that pushes you creatively, not something that does nothing but make your life more difficult for the sake of it. Sure, you could probably carve something with a soup spoon you sharpened, or shape an entire body with nothing but sanders, but what does that really accomplish? The end result would be the same, it's just making the process itself harder and take a lot longer. A challenge that makes you look at the project from a different angle is much better. For example, this hand tool build from a single square stock made you have to plan and think through the entire build before even grabbing a saw. The challenge came from figuring out how to properly manage using the wood and using tools you don't use as often. Carving the neck with a knife is another challenge that pushes you creatively and I like that.
Thank you :) I agree with this 100%. It is about the creativity or about pushing the boundaries of my current skill set.. ie. Turns out I'm not great with panels saws and need to practice that dome more.. and I shall, in the next budget tool build at the very least.. Thank you for commenting and for your support.
Great skills as ever. Pity you can't fix the wobbly bench though, perhaps there's a UA-cam video about it...