Calling out StewMac - Do you really need expensive fretting tools?

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 31 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 19

  • @lousekoya1803
    @lousekoya1803 16 днів тому

    Hey Uncle Kev ! You should do more videos , your voice is great for this ! Anyway ,you have a new sub here from Quebec so that's 44 ! 😊

  • @LawrencePaulPreston
    @LawrencePaulPreston 2 місяці тому

    awesome video, thanks!

  • @ArkRed1
    @ArkRed1 Рік тому

    For my fret rocker I use a blade from a wood plane. For nut grooving files, I take a set of cheap "feeler gauges", and with a Dremel cutoff wheel cut little saw like teeth in the feeler gauge which works well. To hold the feeler gauge, I use a 4"+ - brass hinge held together by two machine screws and knurled nuts through the holes of the hinge. I glue thin leather strips on the inside to give more grip. I, like you am not independently wealthy, so I have to make a lot of the tools I use. I find it more enjoyable to make my own tools than buy tailor-made one. Some I do have to release the $$$ to, but most of the time I make my own. My power tools are disc-belt sanders, small and table model, band saw and drill press. I had a small table saw, but nearly lost an eye with that, so I stick to my band saw with a rip fence for accuracy. If I need an angle cut, I give the wood, plastic, etc. to my brother in law who has a nice table saw. Thanks for posting this. There are a lot of people who will benefit from this video. Keep up the good work.

    • @SociopatheAssume
      @SociopatheAssume 3 місяці тому

      The thing is, I don't mind paying 6/7 euros/dollars for a flat machined fret rocker that will last a lifetime, neither would I for feller gauges : however I would never buy a 90/140 euros/dollars fret crowning file, neither would I ever pay 60/80 bucks for a gosh darned Sanding beam.
      With that being said, I find Stewmac tools to be overpriced for what they really are, but that doesn't mean that they are not good tools, it's just that to me they are overpriced : and also the fact that they clearly end up in most pro luthiers hands, when all their UA-cam video clearly suggest that they are meant for Sunday DIYers like me.

  • @Badhands55
    @Badhands55 Рік тому +2

    A lot of stumac stuff is really good . Seldom do I run across better-the guy I learned from had to make most of his tools , glad I have the resources to get what I think I need now . I have non stumac that I use every day.

    • @unclekev
      @unclekev  Рік тому

      They make good stuff. I have stewmac items that are go-to’s. I just think that for the price their tools should have better ergonomics and make the job substantially easier/faster/better in some way than stuff I can make!

  • @robinleebraun7739
    @robinleebraun7739 Рік тому

    If you can find better or equal specialized luthier tools, buy them. I can usually find something or make something.

  • @davidepannone6021
    @davidepannone6021 Рік тому

    The real issue with stewmac's is pricing. There's no doubt the tools are quality. Do i need to pay a crowning file 90 dollars? Highly debatable.
    So i think stewmac is fine if you're like a luthier shop that repairs multiple guitars daily. But if you're a hobbist it's really not worth it, and i much prefer crimson guitars for that. Tools are good quality but fairly priced.
    Altho I agree with the general sentiment of this video, you're coming from the angle of an experienced "DIYer" and not the average Joe. The average Joe doesn't have the tools or the knowledge to make substitute tools like you did (aside from the levelling beams). Not everyone owns a sand belter or a circular table saw at their home lol. Nor is it even worth the headache to when most hobbyist guitarists have like 2/3 guitars if even and these are tools you'll end up using once a decade if even.

  • @deanmitchell904
    @deanmitchell904 2 роки тому +1

    Doing the frets

    • @unclekev
      @unclekev  2 роки тому

      Doin dem frets. Gotta get em did or they won’t get done’d. That’s what I says, you see.

  • @Dude_Guyman
    @Dude_Guyman 4 місяці тому

    Stewmac = $8 tool ($4 for cheap Amazon China knockoff) + grind the edges off, change the brand sticker and charge $50. for the price, they should start with PREMIUM tools, not lower/decent quality.

  • @joeking433
    @joeking433 Рік тому

    Plek machine.

    • @unclekev
      @unclekev  Рік тому

      Yeah? You make those in your basement for no money? Nice!

    • @joeking433
      @joeking433 Рік тому

      @@unclekev The wave of the future, John Henry.

    • @unclekev
      @unclekev  Рік тому +1

      @@joeking433 John Henry was a steel drivin man…. Lol. I have no objections to a plek machine other than I object to not owning one. That doesn’t put the scratch in my pocket to buy one though!

    • @joeking433
      @joeking433 Рік тому +1

      @@unclekev Yeah, they're outrageously expensive. I've bought 4 guitars that were Plek'd and 2 of them were awesome and two were duds. The duds were on cheap guitars and I don't think they even really Plek'd them, LOL! I mean, how would I know?

    • @unclekev
      @unclekev  Рік тому

      @@joeking433 so what did that whole situation look like? Did you buy them from a company that has a plek and then they send it to you or did you have them plekd at some point in a middle period of ownership?