"Must Have" power tools every begining/novice builder needs

[g4string]

I am in the metamorphasis stage of starting up a shop to build. I really am hoping to turn this into a hobby....maybe even a p/t career (if I get good enough). Since I prefer to use power tools in liue of elbow grease (what can I say, I am a guy....guys love tools!!!....you can NEVER have enough tools!!!)....I really would like to know what power tools you would consider an absolute must have for a small time guitar/bass build shop. Additionally, I am looking at doing this more than once. Since I am looking at making this a hobby....power tools at some point are going to become a nesscity. I know since I have yet to build, you might think I am putting the horse before the carraige....maybe so. However, it would be be nice to know what tools are a "must own" own so I can start to budget my finances to pick some of these tools up. Here is what I can think of so far;

1 - Planner
2 - Band saw
3 - Drill Press
4 - Router.....which type though; table, plunge, palm....all three???

What else am I missing power tool wise?? Also, what do expect ea. tool to cost $$. Thanks!!

[R. Laevinus]

...while I don't have a lot of (read: not really any) experience in lutherie, I do have quite a bit in general woodworking and carpenty - and I'd say that there's not a lot you can do with a planer that you can't do with a good hand plane - and that there's lots you can do with a hand plane that you can't do with a planer.

Band saws are great - I wish I had one - but for many jobs, a decent jigsaw suffices just as well. Similarly to a hand plane vs. planer, I find the jigsaw to be more versatile.

Drill presses are all kinds of useful - I reccomend getting one - but it is easily possible, through the use of aftermarket or even homemade jigs, to accomplish nearly all that a press can do with a simple, good quality hand drill.

As per router - I'd be deeply impressed if I saw somebody build an axe without a router. I find plunge is the best all-rounder, but each has its niche, of course.

I'd also reccomend a good set of chisels - I know you said you'd rather use power tools, but I find there is much that is accomplished more quickly and easily with hand tools. Also, a good rasp (or two) never impeded a build process at all.

Hope this helps! You might also want to check the stickies - there's a bunch of great tool list threads in there.

[ehque]

I'm no luthier, but I remember reading somewhere that you can build a bass with a file and a router. Maybe a drill.

[Son of Magni]

There are already 7 tools threads in the stickys

[need4mospd]

Originally Posted by g4string

What else am I missing power tool wise?? Also, what do expect ea. tool to cost $$. Thanks!!

Generally, for a decent small home shop that will do small-moderate amount of work, find the cheapest tool out there at Home Depot or Lowes...double that price...and that's the range you want to look at. Obviously, if you can't afford that, some of the cheaper tools can get the job done, with the sacrifice of quality.

Other tools....

Table saw, every shop benefits from have a quality table saw!
If you're in a pinch, at least pick up a circular saw. You may not actually need one for a bass build, but I use my table saw at least once a month around the house so I consider it necessary for ANY shop.

Sanders, depends on what all you're willing to tackle by hand. You'll likely figure out which ones you want after you start working.

Also, don't forget a nice work bench, a couple portable tables can be helpful, CLAMPS CLAMPS CLAMPS!(they're cheap, but they add up quick!), some kind of dust collection even if it's just a portable shop vac, and the list goes on....

[whocaresnotme]

If you are going to use a lot of figured wood, a drum sander is a must. Spendy but once you have one you will wonder what you would do without it. You can make veneer with them also and get precise thickness for plates etc.

Routers: probably at least 2. One for hand use and the other for a table. You will need both.

[mikeyswood]

Originally Posted by Son of Magni

There are already 7 tools threads in the stickys

Ability to read the stickies is an invaluable tool.