A good upgrade to the vise is to put a few large rubber bands around it below the jaws. If something slips through, it does not fall onto the guide rail.
@@DriftwoodGuitars Surgical tubing is well suited for it, because it doesn't stretch as much, use a long enough one to cover all grounds and adjust it's length by crossing it over twice in back of one of the jaw posts. It's all that's needed as it holds to itself really well. Use the rest for strat style pickup springs. It comes in handy for a lot of things, just don't do surgery on yourself!
I use the Stewmac saddle locating tool a lot in repairs when replacing a lifted bridge. It's amazing how many "factory made" guitars have poor intonation. When you give a client back his guitar well set up and really well intonated, he'll think you are a god! LOL!
My favorite tool that nobody seems to be aware of is a Microplane. It is kind of like a Stanley Surform, but the teeth are razor sharp, so they leave a nice clean cut that just needs scraped or sanded afterwards. I have their half round that fits in a hacksaw, I use this for every single neck I make along with any other item that needs contouring. It cuts faster than a rasp and leaves a cleaner surface. Also, I have a file made for cutting aluminum that has razor sharp teeth on it, it works very much like the razor files you guys showed. When used right, it leaves an almost ready to finish surface. Oh, and I made my own table vice to hold guitar necks while carving, sanding, etc. Ebony sapwood, so it is a pinkish color with jet black spots. Another great tool is spokeshave, especially the newer Wood River model. I absolutely love that tool!! I use a drawknife to rough the shape of a neck, then use the spokeshave to finalize it. It leaves a nice clean surface that just needs a little sanding before finishing. Way better than the Stanley/ Record style, the Woodriver is styled like the old wood shaves but made out of metal, with a fine adjustment on the blade.
I use a draw knife to quickly remove big amounts of wood on necks, then follow up with a spoke shave. They were tools I had on hand when I started building guitars so I've gotten used to them but now can't get by without them. They make quick work of shaping a neck.
Thank you for sharing this... I just got my vise from StewMac yesterday and I'll be setting it up in the shop today. I'll definitely be looking into a couple of these tools as well. I get a lot of use out of Auriou rasps. They're hand made in France, so they're on the pricey side, but they work really well. The 12 inch half round (called "The Hog") is a 3 grain monster that can rough out a neck in no time, and I get a lot of use out of their rat-tails for enlarging openings and tweaking tight curves. I have some of their riffler rasps, and they come in handy as well.
Would the curved razor files make good tools for a manual fretboard scallop? Seems like the might be better than a rasp as they might save some fike and sanding time.
I think I put off buying the Pattern Makers Vise for 28 years? The perception I and other luthiers always had was that it wouldn't hold valuable instruments securely. When the internet arrived I could see American Luthiers using them successfully. I'm thinking I might get some of those fancy electrical tools too.
LOL, the reason why most of those things don't get purchase sooner... COST. Sadly, we often buy cheap/affordable things to save money, only to replace them later with better quality compounding the overall price. Sometimes it is better to "buy once, cry once". Fun video!
Good morning guys, love your guitars and design choices . I was hoping today might dive into your template set system. Is there any more info on that tool available online? I am just about to jump into the cnc purchase for my luthiery and think creating better jigs and templates is a good place to start!
Hi Guys, love your content! a question for you. Is martin's pre-shaped triangular x-brace much weaker than a standard xbrace. am I over thinking it's importance?
Ever tried a microplane? I'm not associated with it in anyway but I really like them. They hog off a lot and leave a very smooth finish and last a long time. And, they are cheap.
Ok is it just me or when Chris puts the vice on the bench, does that not look like a face (with the router table being a mouth 😮) I’m getting real Roberto vibes from Futurama 🤣
A good upgrade to the vise is to put a few large rubber bands around it below the jaws. If something slips through, it does not fall onto the guide rail.
Mother of god! This is what I’ve been looking for! We’ve had a few necks slip through upon loosening, and we got some dents. I’m doing this!
@@DriftwoodGuitarsthe power of the internet…. Sometimes it’s awesome. 🎉
@@DriftwoodGuitars Surgical tubing is well suited for it, because it doesn't stretch as much, use a long enough one to cover all grounds and adjust it's length by crossing it over twice in back of one of the jaw posts. It's all that's needed as it holds to itself really well. Use the rest for strat style pickup springs. It comes in handy for a lot of things, just don't do surgery on yourself!
Stewmac have upgraded theirs to incude polystyrene inserts that fit below the jaws.
@@robertnewell5057 And you can buy just the inserts from them, which may or may not fit other similar vices.
I use the Stewmac saddle locating tool a lot in repairs when replacing a lifted bridge. It's amazing how many "factory made" guitars have poor intonation. When you give a client back his guitar well set up and really well intonated, he'll think you are a god! LOL!
My favorite tool that nobody seems to be aware of is a Microplane. It is kind of like a Stanley Surform, but the teeth are razor sharp, so they leave a nice clean cut that just needs scraped or sanded afterwards. I have their half round that fits in a hacksaw, I use this for every single neck I make along with any other item that needs contouring. It cuts faster than a rasp and leaves a cleaner surface.
Also, I have a file made for cutting aluminum that has razor sharp teeth on it, it works very much like the razor files you guys showed. When used right, it leaves an almost ready to finish surface. Oh, and I made my own table vice to hold guitar necks while carving, sanding, etc. Ebony sapwood, so it is a pinkish color with jet black spots.
Another great tool is spokeshave, especially the newer Wood River model. I absolutely love that tool!! I use a drawknife to rough the shape of a neck, then use the spokeshave to finalize it. It leaves a nice clean surface that just needs a little sanding before finishing. Way better than the Stanley/ Record style, the Woodriver is styled like the old wood shaves but made out of metal, with a fine adjustment on the blade.
All terrific tools. Thanks for sharing. Very cool meeting both of you at Fretboard Summit yesterday.
I bought a Shinto rasp about a year ago. Inexpensive and very useful. Why didn't I buy one of these sooner.
PSA- Grizzly sells a pattern makers vise for quite a bit less than StewMac, and they’re damn near identical.
Glad you guys are back to putting out more videos. You were spot on with the tools. I have all 5 of them!
I use a draw knife to quickly remove big amounts of wood on necks, then follow up with a spoke shave. They were tools I had on hand when I started building guitars so I've gotten used to them but now can't get by without them. They make quick work of shaping a neck.
Oh good call! I love my drawknives!
Yup, all great choices. I'll add 1/8 in. shaft mini-buffing wheels for rotary tools. Awesome for fret polishing, etc...
Thank you for sharing this... I just got my vise from StewMac yesterday and I'll be setting it up in the shop today. I'll definitely be looking into a couple of these tools as well. I get a lot of use out of Auriou rasps. They're hand made in France, so they're on the pricey side, but they work really well. The 12 inch half round (called "The Hog") is a 3 grain monster that can rough out a neck in no time, and I get a lot of use out of their rat-tails for enlarging openings and tweaking tight curves. I have some of their riffler rasps, and they come in handy as well.
Hey you all happy 65k subscribers. 100k right around the corner.
Love that Matt is still rocking the 1980s overworked/underpaid cop 'stache. Love all your guys' stuff, can't wait for the next one as always.
you guys turned me onto the sureshot... and my life has never been the same since, I don't know how I could function without it now.
Any ideas for a replacement for the LMI glue we love, since LMI is apparently closing?
the cheech and chong....look ?
i dig it
This made me laugh so hard!
I immediately thought of Matt saying "Who is this is?!" and doing a stoner giggle
Would the curved razor files make good tools for a manual fretboard scallop? Seems like the might be better than a rasp as they might save some fike and sanding time.
Elevate Lutherie makes awesome tools. Their binding jig is a game changer.
I think I put off buying the Pattern Makers Vise for 28 years?
The perception I and other luthiers always had was that it wouldn't hold valuable instruments securely. When the internet arrived I could see American Luthiers using them successfully. I'm thinking I might get some of those fancy electrical tools too.
Scrapers were the predecessors to sand paper, but they work better. If people only knew.
I need to get me some razor files! Do they exist (as Shinto rasps do) with offset handles for better reach into awkward places?
- Paul
Great content as always! The world is better with you guys.
Thanks!
Thank you!
LOL, the reason why most of those things don't get purchase sooner... COST.
Sadly, we often buy cheap/affordable things to save money, only to replace them later with better quality compounding the overall price.
Sometimes it is better to "buy once, cry once".
Fun video!
How do you sharpen the scrapers on the flat side with an angle grinder on the flat side, being sure its precise?
Good morning guys, love your guitars and design choices . I was hoping today might dive into your template set system. Is there any more info on that tool available online? I am just about to jump into the cnc purchase for my luthiery and think creating better jigs and templates is a good place to start!
Hi Guys, love your content! a question for you. Is martin's pre-shaped triangular x-brace much weaker than a standard xbrace. am I over thinking it's importance?
love your dissected guitars. Would it if you would do the Yamaha apx all laminated or something like it.
thank you
Ever tried a microplane? I'm not associated with it in anyway but I really like them. They hog off a lot and leave a very smooth finish and last a long time. And, they are cheap.
Next: five must have tools that you can make yourself!
Ooohh I like that!
That's a good idea. The Bridge locating tool is a simple tool to make.
I enjoy Matt being on camera
woah new camera?
So many tools , so little time ( im 62) great vid guys
Are these tools going to help you get the 3004 year old Guitar finished sooner ?😅
The saddle locator, yes. Haha
Ok is it just me or when Chris puts the vice on the bench, does that not look like a face (with the router table being a mouth 😮) I’m getting real Roberto vibes from Futurama 🤣
Bro are you going metro on us?
Tool freaks for sure .....
Tools?? Oh..those tools..
Offset chisels!!!