Building The Shop
A very frequent question I get personally and read in online groups is: “What tools do I buy first?”
Let me first say that I didn’t buy all my tools in this order, or all at once. I acquired my tools in my shop over many years as I needed them or as I came across them. You can get by with minimal tools to build guitars, such as hand tools. These are the tools I recommend for a small production shop, placed in the order I recommend buying them. The tools listed are the bigger shop tools I use regularly.
Note: I did not put a CNC machine on my list. I have no experience with them in my shop, but have utilized them in other shops.
TOOLS
1) 12” Disc Sander
I like the Harbor Freight disc sander. I have had mine for about 15 years. This tool can be used to make other tools, modify tools, make nuts and saddles, shape bodies and necks, and many other things. I use my disc sander almost everyday in my shop and I use it for every build .
2) Spindle Sander
Another Harbor Freight tool I use for every build. It’s a great value. I use them for shaping the waist and curved areas on bodies, necks, and hardware that I make.
3) Drill Press
I recently replaced my small bench-top drill press with this floor-standing model. If you have the room, I recommend a floor-standing drill press - the bigger the better. I use this tool for drilling holes, but mostly with a safety planer when I am making necks. You can also use different attachments such as buffing arbors, spindle sanders, etc..
4) Band Saw
I have a 10 in Craftsmen. I really like it. The size can be limiting if you’re trying to re-saw wide boards. When purchasing a bandsaw, the bigger the better in my opinion - but for the price, a 10” will be enough for most small shops. Blades can be tricky to find locally, so expect to be ordering online or getting them made locally by a saw shop.
5) Router Table
This tool was a game-changer. It made routing truss rod channels, body round overs, template work, edge jointing, and making small parts so easy.
6) Jointer
Being able to glue up body and neck blanks is essential. I recommend the widest and biggest jointer, with the longest tables. A short bench top jointer is not very helpful with long pieces of wood
OTHER HELPFUL TOOLS
chop saw or miter saw
scroll saw
routers of all sorts
dremel
orbital and palm sanders
shop vac
planer
Contact me, Perry Vasquez, with any questions.
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