"It's hard to let go of the physical things, because it's hard to let go of the idea of who you think want to be." I think that's profound. It definitely helps explain why I hang on to all those things I know I'll probably never use!
Haha, I’m glad my rambling was semi coherent! Yeah it’s tough though. Especially if you’re someone who likes to fix their own stuff. I’m always balancing preparedness and with minimalism. A challenging pair!
It's always gear for me. I have three small acoustics that get something like 95% of my playing time, yet I keep thinking I want to be open to these other things. It's like my head wants to be everything, my heart wants to be open to new friends, but my fingers and ears know exactly who I am and where I need to be. :)
Great man, good to let us know youre experience; cuz of course we see the sparkly ads all day long. NOW, what should we get, what tools/accessories work well with ya?! We'd love to see. Thanks again for another vid.
Great to see you back in action...and so quickly as well. I understand the what am I doing with this I dont use or really need it with tools, especially guitars, also tools... I am not a luthier but I enjoy watching the luthier videos of vintage acoustic wood and national steel guitar repairs , Fascinating tools. I love vintage guitars and decent vintage copies like Todd Cambio and Micheal Hauver , and others there is so much beauty in the slotted headstock and the woods and the design ...welcome back Kyle ...
I have made a couple of neckjigs for myself and colleagues. First improvement: put THREE clocks on the jig. With two it is possible to put the neck into a banana shape but still get the clocks at zero… 😂 It’s about 75,- for the parts. However it does take time to get a good feel for it yourself. After about 250 level jobs it starts to become somewhat familiar. 500 level jobs later you outlevel the Plek machine… 😅
seconded! i added another dial indicator and another support rod to my metal stewmac jig, that helps a lot for just the reason you cite. i was able to just buy them from stewmac so they matched, i don't know if they will still offer that. plus, you still want to check with your straightedges to make sure they agree with the dial indicators
Dude three clocks is legit! I am planning to make my own that can breakdown. That’s my main hang up with these. If I could leave it at a dedicated bench that be one thing. I just don’t have the workflow for it and I def haven’t done that many levels, damn good work dude!!
@@kostringworks same here, I am combining it with a Specimen-style workstation. Made in a way that you simply clamp it down in a gun stock or angle vise on a low workbench or shopstand. Collapsability is also a factor here in the shop; only 14 square meters and making a large variety of plucked instruments. Literally from viking age lyres and lutes up to theorboes and electric guitars. So everything has to serve at least a double purpose… I will send you some pictures when it’s finished. Love your video’s btw. You’re certainly on the right track in your approach!
Some great gems on this video. Feel goes a very long way in lutherie! I will say, I do have the dewalt/string winder bit setup... but the shear volume of guitars on my bench each day between repairs, walk-in/in-store purchase setups, and online purchases that need to get out the door same day make it such a crucial timesaver. If I were working for myself I do feel I would favor one of those waverly string winders :)
Yes totally. I think that’s the place where they make a lot of sense. I think that’s a plan I was considering heading (more volume) when I got this but now I’m so picky at what I take on stuff like that just feels ridiculous in my hands.
The "bargain" tools from harbor freight generally wind up in the bottom of the tool box and you just add more and more because it's hard to throw a tool (no matter how bad) in the trash.
I'm glad the Algorithm hooked me up with your channel! Just FYI-- There's a happy medium between the drill and the hand winder made by Ernie Ball. 🙂 I think the tool(s) I regret buying more than anything else are the short StewMac radius sanding blocks and the LMI fretboard clamping jig (the fiddly one with the weird screw clamps and the aluminum bar).
I clicked away and didn't send my comment... drat! It was all fan and agreement. My shop choices are the same for the same vibe. Looking forward to the next... and news about your newborn!
Please do a video of tool recommendations! I’m just getting into the idea of doing work on my own instruments and would like to hear what tools you believe are the most useful.
awesome, and great points about avoiding the mental and physical "clutter" with you on the relief gauge (besides, it's too short) and the 37-in-one action gauge thing (i just use a 6" machinists ruler) but i love my stewmac neck jig! it actually _saves_ me fret leveling time because it removes the guesswork and lets me get more perfect results. maybe more of an electric guitar with shredder action thing? also, you're totally wrong on the drill winder attachment 😆 the thing is, you need a little, light hand drill/driver that will do about 400 or 500rpm, preferably variable speed. any faster is too out of control, any slower and you might as well just use the hand winder i keep mine in a dewalt gyro driver, the DCF682; you just press the button and turn your wrist and it slowly ramps up to speed. it gets used all day everyday and is a godsend when strings have to come on and off repeatedly during a setup or whatever
Totally fair criticism! To you point, I should have mentioned that I def haven’t done enough refrets on this thing, and in the future I’m tapering off a bit from those jobs. Regarding the drill winder: yeah I def would never use that drill for it either, just making a dramatic point 😆. I just love the feel of a hand string winder.
@@kostringworks i mean yeah, that fancy waverly winder is super cool; it's the kind of thing i could never justify buying but would absolutely love as a gift
I'm an electrician by trade. We get inundated by marketing for tools that will save time and make our lives easier. Bits and pieces that clutter our toolboxes and weigh us down. Sure, some things are helpful useful, but by and large, there's a lot of wasted energy, time, and money invested when a good screwdriver and a pair of lineman's pliers will do the job. Guitar and luthier gear are no different. I guess it's time to take inventory and do some cleaning. Thank you 🙏🏻🤍 The new space looks great, too!
Most solutions simply exchange one problem for a -- hopefully, but not always -- more convenient problem. The best way to solve a problem is to not have it.
Many of my tools are copies of a StewMac tool, don't buy it if you can make it. That said I agree StewMac does offer some very nice tools and I have quite a few of their tools/jigs. I do own several of their string action gauges but I use them just for the conversion chart on the back. After about 50 years of repairing guitars one does tend to acquire a lot of "stuff" in the form of instruments and tools. Marty
The fact that stewmac gives you plans too is so awesome! Just to play contrary: Doug Proper gave me some good advice once which was something along the lines of he’s in this to fix guitars, not make tools. I’m still not sure what to do with that advice haha but I dig the sentiment.
Kyle, the more you buy, the more you support the economy. Last year I gave away my untouched Stew Mac tenor ukulele kit that I was going to work on in my spare time that somehow never happened. If it's in the closet for 8 years it needs a new home. I'm pretty sure my friend hasn't started on it either 😆
Oh I'm still planning to give stewmac plenty of my money haha. I love them and what they do. And yeah man, that's a good call! Gotta know when it's time to move stuff. That goes for anyone out there prewar martins just collecting dust too, haha.
I’m not persuaded by the rationale on some of these. Anyone who does this work needs lots of rational thinking and less “feelings” about the work. This is work about understanding materials, measurement, and implementing changes.
For sure! But it is also work about feel and intuition. In my view the two things can hang in the same room, it’s just learning when and how for each persons workflow.
"It's hard to let go of the physical things, because it's hard to let go of the idea of who you think want to be." I think that's profound. It definitely helps explain why I hang on to all those things I know I'll probably never use!
Haha, I’m glad my rambling was semi coherent! Yeah it’s tough though. Especially if you’re someone who likes to fix their own stuff. I’m always balancing preparedness and with minimalism. A challenging pair!
It's always gear for me. I have three small acoustics that get something like 95% of my playing time, yet I keep thinking I want to be open to these other things. It's like my head wants to be everything, my heart wants to be open to new friends, but my fingers and ears know exactly who I am and where I need to be. :)
It's true! Gotta leave home to know what you left behind?!
Well said!
Great man, good to let us know youre experience; cuz of course we see the sparkly ads all day long. NOW, what should we get, what tools/accessories work well with ya?! We'd love to see. Thanks again for another vid.
I’m on it! I don’t wanna come off as a Scrooge, I love Xmas! Just not these tools 😆.
Great to see you back in action...and so quickly as well. I understand the what am I doing with this I dont use or really need it with tools, especially guitars, also tools... I am not a luthier but I enjoy watching the luthier videos of vintage acoustic wood and national steel guitar repairs , Fascinating tools. I love vintage guitars and decent vintage copies like Todd Cambio and Micheal Hauver , and others there is so much beauty in the slotted headstock and the woods and the design ...welcome back Kyle ...
It’s great to be back Tommy! You know I can’t stay away for long. And yes, guitars, also tools. More tool than I can grapple with sometimes!
I have made a couple of neckjigs for myself and colleagues.
First improvement: put THREE clocks on the jig. With two it is possible to put the neck into a banana shape but still get the clocks at zero… 😂
It’s about 75,- for the parts.
However it does take time to get a good feel for it yourself. After about 250 level jobs it starts to become somewhat familiar. 500 level jobs later you outlevel the Plek machine… 😅
seconded! i added another dial indicator and another support rod to my metal stewmac jig, that helps a lot for just the reason you cite. i was able to just buy them from stewmac so they matched, i don't know if they will still offer that.
plus, you still want to check with your straightedges to make sure they agree with the dial indicators
Dude three clocks is legit! I am planning to make my own that can breakdown. That’s my main hang up with these. If I could leave it at a dedicated bench that be one thing. I just don’t have the workflow for it and I def haven’t done that many levels, damn good work dude!!
@@kostringworks same here, I am combining it with a Specimen-style workstation. Made in a way that you simply clamp it down in a gun stock or angle vise on a low workbench or shopstand.
Collapsability is also a factor here in the shop; only 14 square meters and making a large variety of plucked instruments. Literally from viking age lyres and lutes up to theorboes and electric guitars. So everything has to serve at least a double purpose…
I will send you some pictures when it’s finished.
Love your video’s btw. You’re certainly on the right track in your approach!
Some great gems on this video. Feel goes a very long way in lutherie! I will say, I do have the dewalt/string winder bit setup... but the shear volume of guitars on my bench each day between repairs, walk-in/in-store purchase setups, and online purchases that need to get out the door same day make it such a crucial timesaver. If I were working for myself I do feel I would favor one of those waverly string winders :)
Yes totally. I think that’s the place where they make a lot of sense. I think that’s a plan I was considering heading (more volume) when I got this but now I’m so picky at what I take on stuff like that just feels ridiculous in my hands.
The "bargain" tools from harbor freight generally wind up in the bottom of the tool box and you just add more and more because it's hard to throw a tool (no matter how bad) in the trash.
The “I can work with this” mentality is double edged for sure! I def have it, and have hung on to a lotta crap because of it.
great advice, man .. . happy december, oy!
Same to you bud!
I'm glad the Algorithm hooked me up with your channel! Just FYI-- There's a happy medium between the drill and the hand winder made by Ernie Ball. 🙂
I think the tool(s) I regret buying more than anything else are the short StewMac radius sanding blocks and the LMI fretboard clamping jig (the fiddly one with the weird screw clamps and the aluminum bar).
Dude that’s awesome!! Glad you made it over and hope to see more of you in the comments!
Good point about my power drill method.. haha.
Another banger 😤
Thanks Chuck!
I have 2 wood blocks, a level and some clamps. I’m taking bids starting at $300.00.
I clicked away and didn't send my comment... drat! It was all fan and agreement. My shop choices are the same for the same vibe.
Looking forward to the next... and news about your newborn!
Thanks man! We’re settling in real swell! Sorry you missed coming by the last spot. it’s a cool arts space now though so it lives on!!
Please do a video of tool recommendations! I’m just getting into the idea of doing work on my own instruments and would like to hear what tools you believe are the most useful.
I think I have just the vid for you!!
awesome, and great points about avoiding the mental and physical "clutter"
with you on the relief gauge (besides, it's too short) and the 37-in-one action gauge thing (i just use a 6" machinists ruler) but i love my stewmac neck jig! it actually _saves_ me fret leveling time because it removes the guesswork and lets me get more perfect results. maybe more of an electric guitar with shredder action thing?
also, you're totally wrong on the drill winder attachment 😆 the thing is, you need a little, light hand drill/driver that will do about 400 or 500rpm, preferably variable speed. any faster is too out of control, any slower and you might as well just use the hand winder
i keep mine in a dewalt gyro driver, the DCF682; you just press the button and turn your wrist and it slowly ramps up to speed. it gets used all day everyday and is a godsend when strings have to come on and off repeatedly during a setup or whatever
Totally fair criticism! To you point, I should have mentioned that I def haven’t done enough refrets on this thing, and in the future I’m tapering off a bit from those jobs.
Regarding the drill winder: yeah I def would never use that drill for it either, just making a dramatic point 😆. I just love the feel of a hand string winder.
@@kostringworks i mean yeah, that fancy waverly winder is super cool; it's the kind of thing i could never justify buying but would absolutely love as a gift
I'm an electrician by trade. We get inundated by marketing for tools that will save time and make our lives easier. Bits and pieces that clutter our toolboxes and weigh us down.
Sure, some things are helpful useful, but by and large, there's a lot of wasted energy, time, and money invested when a good screwdriver and a pair of lineman's pliers will do the job.
Guitar and luthier gear are no different.
I guess it's time to take inventory and do some cleaning.
Thank you 🙏🏻🤍
The new space looks great, too!
Love this and relate to it!! Good luck with your overstock and hope you’re having a good winter!
Glad you didn't just stick, had a clear out and let it go, streamline.
I love getting rid of stuff almost more than I like getting stuff. 😂
Most solutions simply exchange one problem for a -- hopefully, but not always -- more convenient problem. The best way to solve a problem is to not have it.
I’m learning this!!
I hear ya Kyle, I have guitar tools I have never used...not on ce
Ps . the string winder drill tool is one of them tools I previously mentioned
Ha! Yeah don't even open the box man.
Many of my tools are copies of a StewMac tool, don't buy it if you can make it. That said I agree StewMac does offer some very nice tools and I have quite a few of their tools/jigs. I do own several of their string action gauges but I use them just for the conversion chart on the back. After about 50 years of repairing guitars one does tend to acquire a lot of "stuff" in the form of instruments and tools. Marty
The fact that stewmac gives you plans too is so awesome! Just to play contrary: Doug Proper gave me some good advice once which was something along the lines of he’s in this to fix guitars, not make tools. I’m still not sure what to do with that advice haha but I dig the sentiment.
A small hand held drill works better than a big honkin drill lol
Where is the drama in that!?!
@ the G string holds all the drama
Kyle, the more you buy, the more you support the economy.
Last year I gave away my untouched Stew Mac tenor ukulele kit that I was going to work on in my spare time that somehow never happened. If it's in the closet for 8 years it needs a new home.
I'm pretty sure my friend hasn't started on it either 😆
Oh I'm still planning to give stewmac plenty of my money haha. I love them and what they do. And yeah man, that's a good call! Gotta know when it's time to move stuff. That goes for anyone out there prewar martins just collecting dust too, haha.
I’m not persuaded by the rationale on some of these. Anyone who does this work needs lots of rational thinking and less “feelings” about the work. This is work about understanding materials, measurement, and implementing changes.
For sure! But it is also work about feel and intuition. In my view the two things can hang in the same room, it’s just learning when and how for each persons workflow.