This is new. All the tools and jigs needed to build guitars in one place.
Some pretty cool tools and supplies in that catalog.
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I saw that today, very interesting. I wish there were luthier classes offered close to where I live, I would love to learn to build a guitar... and add to my tool repertoire.
I remember seeing a post on reddit where someone took a 6 class course (once a weekend over 6 weeks) and built one of the most gorgeous guitars I've ever seen.
That's cool. Thanks for flagging it Hilton!
Fred
Worth noting that the luthiery tool and jig selection from Lee Valley is good stuff but pretty sparse - will certainly get someone going in the right direction, but worth becoming familiar with the tool, jig/fixture, and parts stuff offered by Stewart MacDonald Guitar Supply, Luthiers Mercantile International, Incorporated, and the dozen or so tone wood vendors based in the US and Canada. As usual, worth doing the deep dive on the process before buying anything, and check for local hobby and pro luthiers in your area that you can impose on to get a feel for what is involved.
My only complaint about Stewart MacDonald is that every year they seem to come out with an ever increasing number of new inventions that are just not necessary to build fine instruments. I have gotten along all my life without any of these new tools.
Yes, they do. They have realized gadgets sell, and it seems to be working for them.Quote:
Originally Posted by george wilson
I think a lot of them, though not really necessary, could be considered "convenience" items. And people, if they have the disposable income, will buy them.
I've built 6 or 8 (lost count) electric guitars and a couple of basses. I would not consider myself a "luthier", but it is great fun. But I am on a shoe string budget. All the flashy gizmos are beyond my means. If I want to build, I need to find practical ways of doing it.
The danger I think with the "tool/jig/gadget for every purpose" is that you could spend a really long time just buying them, instead of just buying wood and getting to it, as it were.
I just bought the wood I need to built my first acoustic guitar. With the wood working hand tools as well as the set up tools for guitar I already have, all I really need are 6 or 8 deep reach clamps(of course it would be clamps, wouldn't it?), and I will be ready to begin. With Youtube, I can see it will be possible to make deep reach cam clamps, which is the route I'm planning to go. And a Gramil as well.
George, Your observation applies well to many other new woodworking tools and accessories that we have seen released in both the hand and power tool segments in recent years.Quote:
Originally Posted by george wilson
Commercialism has driven the production of a lot of those new products including but not limited to a good number of what we call boutique tools and accessories, or one-time tools. They have added little or even no value to a woodworker's work. We are seeing a concerted effort, knowingly or unknowingly, by manufacturers, advertisers, publications, brand managers and ambassadors, social media producers and promoters (bloggers, writers, content creators, etc.) and even woodworkers themselves to create a desire for more, "newer" and fancier tools and accessories.
The trend has been set and is unstoppable.
Simon
I share the sentiment.
I wonder though if this is how it has always been. Perhaps 100 new fangled jigs or technologies are necessary to get to the one that is truly transformative.
I also believe in many cases jigs are a gateway not a barrier to skill development. So to the extent that jigs encourage potential masters to take up a tool, I think it's a great thing.
Simon nailed it. It has gotten to the point where jigs and fixtures that showed up in magazines and books as build it yourself items now have commercial versions selling for many times the cost of the materials you used to cobble together. The implied promise is that the purchase of Joe Gizmo's new and improved blivet is going to make you an instant master.
Prashun, I agree re jigs.
But...there was a time when a wood worker or guitar maker would build their own jigs. It was part of the process.
Understand, I don't think that there's a right or wrong, and if people want to buy the jigs instead of build them, that;s their choice.
But I think that building a jig to do a certain task might help someone more fully understand the process that jig is being built for in the first place. IOW, to build a working jig, you need to understand why the jig is needed. I think it's worth the time spent learning, instead of hopping on StewMac's site and filling up a cart.
That is the direction I intend to go at least. If I can build it instead of buy it, that's a win for me.
YMMV.