Are Cheap Guitar Tools On Amazon Any good?

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 9 фев 2020
  • #knowyourgear #sharpenmyaxe #mcknightrepair
    Here is some affiliate links to gear In the order it appears in this video
    Guyker Guitar Fretwire Bender
    amzn.to/2OHxWSk
    Fret and nut files that may not be good for either
    amzn.to/31Fpf07
    My Favorite Fret End File
    www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
    V&H Soldering iron tip cleaner wire-typ
    amzn.to/37iXfR0
    Melissa's Sharpen My Axe video
    • The Ultimate Squier Up...
    15 Pieces Guitar Luthier Tools Set
    amzn.to/3brml3w
    The D Addario Kit I Love!
    amzn.to/2StZ34k
    Soldering Iron Kit Electronics, Rarlight 60W Adjustable
    amzn.to/3brZW6g
    Micro Mesh 9 Sanding Sheet Introductory Woodworkers Kit
    amzn.to/39nxNex
    Become a Patreon and support more videos like this
    www.patreon.com/home
    Send photos of you in your shirt here
    askknowyourgear@gmail.com
    Facebook
    / knowyourgear
    Instagram
    / phillip_mcknight
    Know Your Gear T shirts
    teespring.com/stores/know-you...
    D Addario Fret Polish Kit
    imp.i114863.net/LMYvY
    Dava Picks
    amzn.to/2Ik60AL
    I use D Addario American Series Cables
    imp.i114863.net/rmNKQ
    Stew Mac Tools like the ones I used in the video
    Fret Bender
    www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
    My Favorite Fret End File
    www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
    Radius Gage Set
    www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
    Understring Radius Gage Set
    www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
    String Action Ruler
    www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...

Комментарии • 481

  • @runningwithscissors0911
    @runningwithscissors0911 4 года назад +46

    Stew Mac is expensive but their Fret End Dressing File is a real winner. Your Sharper My Axe video with Melissa was a WINNER - gave me confidence to work on my own guitar. Kudos to Melissa!

    • @malicesmom
      @malicesmom 4 года назад +4

      I still use that copper sponge cleaner. A lot of times I forget to put solder on the tip when I turn the iron off and it oxidizes. That thing is totally worth $6.99.

    • @cool555breeze
      @cool555breeze 4 года назад +1

      Their fret crowning Z-file is the BOMB! $100 and worth every penny.

    • @mattdylan664
      @mattdylan664 2 месяца назад

      thanks to the assholes who voted for Biden that fret end dressing file has nearly double in price since this was filmed four years ago, one day Liberals will wake up and realize Trump wasn't lying about Fake News but they still lie about him daily

  • @RainStickland
    @RainStickland 4 года назад +2

    I want tons of these videos! I'm just barely starting to work on our guitars, so getting reviews on tools is extremely helpful. I love your honesty.

  • @MrEric622
    @MrEric622 4 года назад +9

    I think a series like this would be very helpful to those just learning to adjust, maintain, or repair their guitar. Definitely would have watched when I built my first Tele last year. Great vid Phil.

  • @JayKughan
    @JayKughan 4 года назад +11

    I definitely think this video is a great idea.. yes, PLEASE definitely do more stuff like this. It's informative & I mean info that newbies need to know. It'll help people from making some mega mistakes (like scratching up a guitar.. or God forbid, scratching up someone else's guitar). Tanx heaps Phil. You're a legend 🤘🏽

  • @njcranes
    @njcranes 4 года назад +17

    Phil, thanks for all you do!!

  • @Yugiohplayer5
    @Yugiohplayer5 4 года назад +58

    Phil: gives real reviews even though he can get commissioned off our purchases because of this video. What a man and thank you for the vid because it also works as a review of every tool you may need for guitar maintenance! Best wishes from Afghanistan, army strong

    • @mikhielthorsson6033
      @mikhielthorsson6033 4 года назад +2

      Thank You for your service Brother, AATW. As always be safe, if you can't be safe be deadly and dangerous. I served 27yrs in the Army myself.

  • @ianp6742
    @ianp6742 4 года назад +3

    I have that same soldering iron and I've been using it for over a year without a problem. Also, if you haven't done a video on proper soldering technique already that would be enormously useful for a lot of us. Great video Phil, you have been so helpful for so many people.

  • @arnottclark6959
    @arnottclark6959 4 года назад +1

    I'm thinking of doing my own work on my instruments , and this video definitely helped a lot ! Your reviews on these products were on point ! Thank you for this video !

  • @dpdockery
    @dpdockery 4 года назад +39

    You rock man! Was literally on amazon looking at tools when this video’s notification popped up! Lol please do more of these. Maybe put together a “best budget tool set” for us home diy-ers. Thanks Phil

  • @michaelkartman3543
    @michaelkartman3543 4 года назад

    Been wanting to get into working on my own guitars. Didn’t really know where to start on my search for inexpensive tools, and your video helps immensely. Thank you Philip!

  • @anthonyglennmollicasr.425
    @anthonyglennmollicasr.425 2 года назад +2

    Great video, really helpful! I've been looking online for luthier tools and I really appreciate you taking the time to make this review - A+😊

  • @alwaysrockn2009
    @alwaysrockn2009 4 года назад

    Finally- a thorough video about guitar tools. Awesome! Great video! Thanks dude for the review- this helps big time. Rock on!

  • @otherGuise
    @otherGuise 4 года назад +3

    Really liked this one, glad you enjoyed it and I hope to see more like it.

  • @mrenson9257
    @mrenson9257 4 года назад +3

    Phil, love your videos! Sooo much info and helpful tips. Great idea for a video and would love to see more of it. I’m quite mechanical, so I’m well aware of quality tools and how they work and feel but I’m not a luthier and would rarely use most of the specialized tools needed so I’d love to hear all of your luthier hacks for gear and techniques.
    Thanks man!

  • @SfordRog
    @SfordRog 4 года назад

    Good job, Phil! A series of videos offering a practical perspective about tools and other gear that are inexpensive and readily available would be a great resource. I like that you included reasons both pro and con for buying something that seems like a good deal online.

  • @Neonb1bLes
    @Neonb1bLes 4 года назад

    GREAT video! Please keep doing videos like this Phil! Love it

  • @rogerrussian9750
    @rogerrussian9750 3 года назад +1

    Oh yes mate ! Do some more of these vids please. Fantastic !

  • @davidelizalde3844
    @davidelizalde3844 4 года назад

    As a someone who's looking to get into guitar repairing/customizing as a hobby I found this video really useful :)

  • @edwardkennedy5500
    @edwardkennedy5500 4 года назад

    I really enjoyed this video. I am beginning to work on guitars and found this information very helpful. Keep up the good work.

  • @mikecarreca7864
    @mikecarreca7864 4 года назад +1

    Absolutely fantastic video today Phillip. I actually use a Ernie Ball tool kit and the rest are StuMac. I really like the soldier kit. I marked it on Amazon and the micro mesh. You didn't show a neck gauge but it was such a good topic today. Thank you

  • @4142Wilb
    @4142Wilb 4 года назад +1

    I got a solder iron tool from Home Depot with a fancy light embedded in it for $20 - pretty awesome to brighten up the task at hand. Nice video. 👍🏽

  • @mikeivey8471
    @mikeivey8471 4 года назад

    Please do more tool reviews like this . Very informative !

  • @hxcpunkpassion6670
    @hxcpunkpassion6670 4 года назад +1

    Great video. I just subscribed. Thank you for your videos. I'm in the process of upgrading all of the parts on my LTD MH 400nt. I never knew how to set up a guitar before. But this time around i want to learn how to do it myself. You are helping me a lot with getting back into playing guitar.

  • @fezmey6117
    @fezmey6117 4 года назад

    Great video with real thoughts on the products. This will likely save me quite a bit in the long run of just not buying garbage. I have been working on guitars for a long time, and mostly using more inexpensive products. Some of these I have looked at, and now know which ones to consider, and which ones to just ignore (for the ones I haven't already tried).

  • @travishemming3783
    @travishemming3783 4 года назад

    Thanks, Phil. Another incredibly useful video for those of us who like to work on our own gear. I've gotten a lot of use out of several cheap needle file sets from Amazon, both conventional toothed steel files and the diamond grit ones. I'm sure the quality can vary quite a bit, so maybe I've just gotten lucky. I find them great for nut work and fret ends, with the finer diamond grit files being the most useful for guitar work.

  • @michaelmace924
    @michaelmace924 4 года назад +1

    Yeah, we get it!! You love everything StewMac.

  • @speedinbob
    @speedinbob 4 года назад

    Was literally looking at kits this morning. Well timed and thank you!

  • @benpowersguitar
    @benpowersguitar 4 года назад

    Very helpful. Great as always.

  • @MultiRDSD
    @MultiRDSD 2 года назад

    What brilliantly infectious enthusiasm!

  • @johns1159
    @johns1159 4 года назад

    Phil, thanks again for your professional advice!

  • @jefferson4245
    @jefferson4245 3 года назад

    All of the things you talked about are why I haven't been able to pull the trigger on on the Amazon files and such. As always, helpful information, even if I'm coming at this a year late. Thanks, Phillip!

  • @guitarshapedpizza
    @guitarshapedpizza 4 года назад

    I love this kind of thing Phil! please keep reviewing tools and how to use them.....

  • @vansongs
    @vansongs 4 года назад

    Love the technical stuff. Mount to the thing, clamp to the thing. You are so real, love your channel. :-)

  • @mylemonblue3070
    @mylemonblue3070 3 года назад

    Very cool. Thank you for doing this one! 🎸❤️

  • @donaldfisher8556
    @donaldfisher8556 4 года назад

    Hey Phil, great video. I have purchased some of the tools you reviewed last year. Your spot on. I have also purchased numerous tools from Stew Mac and like them a lot. But I too am not sorry about saving several dollars on some tools. Super video, thank you.

  • @venubhalla2825
    @venubhalla2825 4 года назад

    The lighting looks great, Phil

  • @Rockies007
    @Rockies007 3 года назад

    Super useful info!

  • @GuitarMooseMusic
    @GuitarMooseMusic 4 года назад +24

    I’m on a really tight budget d/t being disabled and on disability. I have to do most all of my own guitar repairs, I don’t have much choice. I watch you do what I need to if I don’t already know how then I do it.
    I like the idea of a complete tool kit, I have tools already that you showed in this video. Last Christmas was a guitar kinda Christmas lol

    • @JDStone20
      @JDStone20 Год назад +1

      I am in the same boat.

  • @harryklippton
    @harryklippton 4 года назад +1

    Thanks for this video Phil. Ive been buying one or two stewmac tools a year, but it's nice to know about alternatives

  • @avh9394
    @avh9394 4 года назад

    Love this kinda stuff, thanks Phil!

  • @frankiec2765
    @frankiec2765 4 года назад

    Greetings from NY! Great review Phil, very helpful indeed. Thanks! :)

  • @petebrown3715
    @petebrown3715 4 года назад

    Thank you for this post. It makes sense.

  • @onesandzeros
    @onesandzeros 4 года назад +1

    Great video as always Phil, thank you. I think you are 100% right about buying quality tools.

  • @jaygustin1713
    @jaygustin1713 4 года назад

    Great video Phil. I've been looking at some of these tools as of late. Trying set up my own personal work bench. Thanks for the video. A video on setting up a home work bench and what tools would be great. I also loved your string change tool box (tackle box) video. I actually have one of those in the works as well but most of those tools are ending up on the bench. Thanks for all your great videos.

  • @niclastname
    @niclastname 4 года назад

    This is an awesome idea for a video. I'd love for you to do more of these! As someone with your experience, it's nice to hear from you if something is good for the price or if it's something that you can save money on. I'm not very familiar with guitar tools, but I've used other tools and know that some things are fine to get form Harbor Freight, while others will just make your work more difficult than if you just got the better quality tool from the start.

  • @820hurleyj
    @820hurleyj Год назад

    Great video! Yes, more videos for a non-luthier, but not afraid to tackle anything type guy.

  • @brianlyall
    @brianlyall 4 года назад +1

    Couldn't find that great deal on Micromesh papers, was $73 for that same introductory kit when I checked, so the deal you got was gone. Decided to look at the long term and go for the Quality of a $53 Stewmac Fret Polish kit after hearing your concerns about the rusty, flimsy and sharp pieces you found in the cheap kits. Very helpful Vid!

  • @jbn1237
    @jbn1237 4 года назад +3

    Phil! Loved this video! I'm currently amassing tools for my guitar and this was extremely helpful- as are all of your videos showing guitar maintenance and repair! Thank you very much!

  • @ERWebster
    @ERWebster 4 года назад

    Great reviews, thanks for going over these. I actually bought that soldering kit a year or two back, has been very useful for me. The soldering iron can get pretty darn hot, and has enough mass to heat up contact points properly.

  • @DaVinci0963
    @DaVinci0963 11 месяцев назад

    Thanks for doing what you do.

  • @sak7530
    @sak7530 4 года назад

    I have been waiting for this video!! The micro mesh and the copper tip cleaner are in my cart. I use the micro mesh pads from SM for my frets but I'll try the sheets.

  • @jonbellmusic5269
    @jonbellmusic5269 4 года назад

    awesome! Thank You Phil, for everything

  • @TrebleJC
    @TrebleJC 2 года назад

    Thank you for this video!

  • @thecolorhero1078
    @thecolorhero1078 4 года назад

    Thanks Phil. Ya reviewed two things that I just made ME think I was crazy, whew...Know Your Gear!

  • @gravediggerdale4633
    @gravediggerdale4633 4 года назад

    Great video! keep them coming. Fret crown & level tools

  • @MuseMagnet
    @MuseMagnet 4 года назад

    Thanks Phil! Very cool. You mentioned you like tackle boxes for tools - please share the models you like for portability and larger.

  • @tresblack4739
    @tresblack4739 4 года назад

    Excellent video, very helpful! Do more!

  • @s8nlx661
    @s8nlx661 4 года назад

    Absolutely keep doing these tool reviews. Love stuff like this and is cool to see what's kicking around out there. Theres alot of crap out there. But from time to time theres a really good deal on something. So if not for the review of the tool or tools themselves, it's cool for a heads up that theres a great deal on something and save a few bucks. People like me who love working on guitars as much as playing them is a cool clip to check out

  • @REBELSCL
    @REBELSCL 2 года назад

    Great idea I like this type of review.

  • @crispysyd9190
    @crispysyd9190 4 года назад +2

    Awsome video!!! Let's do this again for sure. Thanks for everything you do.😁

  • @vintagetubeamplifiers
    @vintagetubeamplifiers Год назад

    Use those files on the metal radius and string gauge, problem solved, LOL. Great job Phil, I've learned so much from you, thank you!

  • @misfit2038
    @misfit2038 4 года назад

    I just ordered that basic tool kit before I came across this video. I read the reviews first and seemed to be about what you said, a decent place to start. I also bought a guitar neck notched straight edge as well. Held off on buying the soldering iron though but I do need one so I think I will pick up the one you showed next. Not only to do setups but I also want to replace pickups and pots as well on my Epiphone SG 400. So a useful video, you should do more like this showing tools, and possible uses.

  • @garycrouse1918
    @garycrouse1918 2 года назад

    Phil i really enjoyed this video !!!

  • @johnlibby9355
    @johnlibby9355 4 года назад

    I have the exact same soldering kit. For starting out it's great.

  • @TheBigH1975
    @TheBigH1975 4 года назад

    My in-laws got me a kit for Christmas. It was kind of a combo of the feeler gauge, under-string radius gauges, and the kit you show here in the pouch. Most of it is pretty good, but those same nasty files came with it. I don't know much, but I knew to toss those as soon as I saw them. :) Great info, Phil.

  • @Chemist1076
    @Chemist1076 4 года назад

    Good sensible advice. Thanks

  • @joker71172
    @joker71172 4 года назад

    I use the same D'addario kit. Was a sweet Xmas gift.

  • @SerkanBerksoy
    @SerkanBerksoy 3 года назад

    Best review video ever :) Thanks

  • @ferpetrucci
    @ferpetrucci 4 года назад

    I really liked this video, thank you for sharing your thoughts on these products. I will only use what you say is good. It would be good to see your recommendation on fret crowning files, with so many options out there it’s easy to buy a bad one. Thank you for sharing your knowledge Phillip!!

  • @mborel
    @mborel 4 года назад +57

    Can you compare the Music Nomad tool kit to the Stew Mac tool kit?

    • @michael_caz_nyc
      @michael_caz_nyc 3 года назад +3

      Yes, I'd love to see that. I was searching for that exact-comparison on The Gear Page - today !!!

    • @risksrewardsrelics51
      @risksrewardsrelics51 3 года назад +3

      I have the Music Nomad Cradle Cube/Work Mat combo.
      The work mat is just a glorified yoga mat, but the cradle cube is awesome.

    • @flimbonimbo7259
      @flimbonimbo7259 2 года назад

      @@risksrewardsrelics51 Well, pretty much any work mat you get would just be a version of a glorified yoga mat. It's a mat. It's only purpose is to serve as a soft place to lay your guitar while working on it.

  • @barrypearson644
    @barrypearson644 3 года назад

    I watched your "Ultimate Restring Toolbox " video, I purchased my tools according to you recommendations. Most of which I bought from ebay or Stew-Mac. I like this video of yours. I have been contemplating putting together my own "on the go" tool kit. I have a soldering iron very similar to the one in that kit. If people are on a budget, they can piece together a toolkit.

  • @loscrimefighter1899
    @loscrimefighter1899 4 года назад +5

    Quality tools, whether it be Stew Mac or any other, are always a better deal in the long run. "You get what you pay for" truly applies to tools of any kind.
    That being said, Stew Macs shipping charges are absolutely criminal.

  • @swingset1969
    @swingset1969 4 года назад

    I've got the solder tip cleaner - great little thing to have, comes in handy every time I do some soldering. I've also used the leveling blocks from Amazon (4-sided/multi-grit on an aluminum carrier). They work great, single or maybe 2- use items, but cheap and reliable.

  • @donmaclellan1479
    @donmaclellan1479 4 года назад

    Love your channel... could you please do a setups toolbox for guitars? What essential tools to buy and which brands per tool? Learned so much from your videos thank you!

  • @colakeith1
    @colakeith1 4 года назад

    Thanks! This was enlightening...

  • @SamlonHoldfield
    @SamlonHoldfield 4 года назад

    Very cool. Thanks.

  • @stealyourfacekev
    @stealyourfacekev 4 года назад

    I really enjoyed this video and I think you should do some more reviews of luthier tools

  • @chrisw1460
    @chrisw1460 4 года назад +2

    just ordered my StewMac fret end file with your link. Thank you for knowing your gear!!!

  • @jim.missywyant.kennedy2334
    @jim.missywyant.kennedy2334 4 года назад

    Such a great video. Much needed not for the bashing but for the good stuff. Even the 50/50 stuff can be salvaged with a little to extreme amount of love/hate but that's the point. It's the stuff that no amount of Shineola could help that we need to know about. You've given us a perspective that we don't have as techs to ourselves, Lol. Esp. the UL label, something I'm not 100% positive I'd remember to look for so thanks. Look at you, saving lives! Plus you put the right kind of pressure on both ends of the market, nicely done. This really was a great video, Lol.

  • @moontheloon1969
    @moontheloon1969 4 года назад

    micro mesh is fantastic, we used it to polish the canopies on harrier jump-jets

  • @chrisdreamlore3122
    @chrisdreamlore3122 4 года назад

    yeah do more of these videos! very helpful. you might do a video on using some of the lesser known tools and show us how to properly use them. so the people that want to d.i.y. have a good reference. (and don't mess up a guitar to bad) lol

  • @doctorscoot
    @doctorscoot 3 года назад

    This video is great Phil! Would love for you to do more reviews of this sort of stuff, as I'm always not sure about the cheap stuff on eBay and Amazon ...can you extend this to actual _parts_ to please?
    Also, I just want to shout out the "iFixit" tool kit, which I bought for computers and electronics, and its usual use-case.You get a whole bunch of screwdrivers and small sockets with a driver, some of which is useful for working on a guitar, but what I've really useful is the selection of small plastic prodders and pryers (like car interior tools, but smaller) and the three different needle-nose tweezers (one locks shut, the other two are manually closed). It's even got a set of free guitar picks! (lol, no but they are small triangular bits of plastic for wedging and offsetting parts, and they look like slightly oversized picks).

  • @marcaopozza-mendes1397
    @marcaopozza-mendes1397 2 года назад +1

    The screwdriver in the Amazon kit has the phillips at the other end. Just push in the ring by the handle and you can withdraw the entire driver. The notches in the shaft enable you to lengthen or shorten the tool.
    Great video! 👍👍👍
    Thanks for sharing this with everyone.

  • @driveandsurvive
    @driveandsurvive 4 года назад +4

    Thanks Phil, Another "A" video - A for Awesome. I'd like to see more alternative tools to Stu Mac or Crimson Guitar, ect. Not because I don;t like their gear (I do), it's just because the budget is a greater important to a hobby Luther - I won't make back the dollars spent on top quality tools. In all honesty I wish Stu Mac and others would produce a budget line.

  • @johnl.donofrio2441
    @johnl.donofrio2441 4 года назад

    Just bought the soldering iron cleaner. What a great idea.

  • @NoUploadJustComment
    @NoUploadJustComment 4 года назад +4

    Great idea for a video. I'd love to see more in this series.

  • @jimmhb1986
    @jimmhb1986 4 года назад

    Great vid. Thank you

  • @zaz4667
    @zaz4667 4 года назад

    awesome review

  • @davethepius
    @davethepius 4 года назад +1

    I actually bought one of those solder kits because I was having trouble finding a decent 60 watt soldering iron at the hardware stores. I've been quite impressed.

    • @neilpatrickhairless
      @neilpatrickhairless 4 года назад

      Same. Mine came in a box with other related accessories and I have done everything from amp repairs to soldering pickup covers on with mine and it does fine. Used it for prolonged amounts of time also and never had any problems. Having a digital one is nice if you do it as a job but for DIY repair this one is fine.

  • @JillandKevin
    @JillandKevin 3 года назад

    Thanks for your great videos Phil!! I DO have the cheapo needle files (Harbor Freight) in my toolbox, and they are handy for loads of things. I also have a set of cheapo (Harbor Freight) diamond needle files, which also come in handy. However, I would never use any of them on frets or fingerboards! Another thing I use a LOT is Paper Mate pink erasers, which make great sanding blocks for small areas, and even fine for sanding out whole lacquer sanding whole bodies.

  • @eddiejclayton1
    @eddiejclayton1 3 года назад

    Great video! Some of the Stew Mac stuff is definitely worth the price, their string action card/ruler is 100% worth the money over alternatives.

  • @Funder4
    @Funder4 4 года назад

    Thx! Great and informative video!

  • @Grumpagamer
    @Grumpagamer 4 года назад

    Its funny to come across this video. A week ago my fiancée bought me several of these tools because she remembered me talking about having to work on my fretboard on my guitar. Its an old cheap guitar so I don’t mind learning on it. Thanks for the review. I do usually buy tools from stew mac.

  • @wesleymorris1
    @wesleymorris1 4 года назад

    I use my soldering iron and solder sucker every day, i built a princeton reverb clone, over the weekend, it sounds amazing, i did afew changes to the circuit and added a easy bias, i love building tube amp circuits, its adddicting to find my own tone.

  • @martin-1965
    @martin-1965 3 года назад

    Nice one Phil, ordered the 15 piece Luthier kit in the UK as have most other tools and defo getting the micro mesh for fret polishing. Still too scared/inexperienced to replace frets myself (have a pro do that for me) and it's a hobby not a job for me as an old git so don't need the best Stewmac gear just the decent stuff. Main thing I have to deal with is fret sprout on mine and friends guitars and the file I've got with a variety of papers for finishing seems to do the job nicely. Anyway - great video as always.

  • @Terrible_Peril
    @Terrible_Peril 4 года назад +2

    The baroque fret file (featured a few times on Dan’s GunsandGuitars channel) is pretty decent. I got the v3 and use it any time I’ve got fretwork to do.

  • @roberthollingsworth1675
    @roberthollingsworth1675 3 года назад

    Phil, I got a set of those "diamond" files in a toolkit, I agree with you, I did not use them on the frets, I bought the StewMac fret file and it works great. Got this kit from China via E-bay, it has the metal action gauge and I added the Fritz Rule. It had a sanding sponge, I did not use that either. I did buy and I do like the aluminum rectangle bar with different grit sandpaper on each side. It did a nice job fret leveling a new kit neck.
    Also, I liked the metal ruler to check for neck bow. StewMac has one that is very nice and expensive. But since I am not a professional, the $18.00 one from E-bay works for me. You are right to watch the edges of the metal it can cut paper. Hint: you can get a dish scrubber, stainless or copper at the food store or even a dollar store to clean your solder tip. I have a professional solder station with temperature control, that is a great feature on the pencil iron, I cringe when I see someone using a 200 watt solder gun on sensitive electronics, too much heat can "kill" the parts. 60 watts is fine for guitar work. The wet sponge also cleans the tip. Use electronics solder flux and keep your tip tinned, they last longer that way. Like your channel!

  • @robertnewell5057
    @robertnewell5057 4 года назад +6

    Thank you, Phillip - always informative and considered. Couple of things. First, Stewmac is very high-priced if you live outside the US because of their postal charges, but if you want the specialist stuff, there is, in my opinion, no alternative. For example, their nut slot files will last a very long time, if treated with respect. The Amazon alternatives are poor and the alternative approach of using welding tip cleaners (sold on Amazon and ebay as nut slot files) is a joke. There are ways you can save money thru Amazon and ebay, though. For example I would never pay for a fret end dress file or similar from Stewmac because a top quality 3 corner file comes in much cheaper and you just make a safe edge on it and you're done. Plenty of other generic tools sold by SM as specialist come in the same category. Similarly, I would never use fret protectors - you get just as good results with masking tape and care, and there are loads of tools you can make yourself if you have the ability to make a guitar (e.g. fretwire benders, spool clamps, bridge clamps (including that cute one the fits thru the bridge pin holes) radius sanding blocks, etc). Finally, I've used micromesh for years, and it is unbeatable but users should be aware that in the lower grits (e.g.1500) the grit is not equivalent to abrasive paper US or UK standards. There's a comparison chart at www.sisweb.com/micromesh/conversion.htm. - 1500 comes in at about 400 US standard. The real secret with micromesh is that the abrasive action is cutting rather than rubbing, so you get a much finer, more consistent scratch pattern, and this holds true even in the lower grits, so even though 1500 mm has the same grit count as 400 US there is no comparison between the quality of the results.

    • @MrRonk55
      @MrRonk55 2 года назад +1

      For someone on a low budget, such as myself, I've found that the four-sided nail polishing foam block you can get at the supermarket or pharmacy is a cheap alternative to a Micro Mesh set. It does a decent job of getting scratches out of frets and won't harm the fretboard, and doubles as a string riser if you need to spot level a single fret. They run less than two bucks apiece. I save my Stew Mac polishing set for the finishing touch.

  • @tward3928
    @tward3928 4 года назад

    Great video, more tool videos please

  • @garybrady9531
    @garybrady9531 9 месяцев назад

    Showing basic to middle of the road tools is a great ideal especially for the beginning Luther or just the guitarist who needs to make repairs on the godo more of these