Absolutely Necessary Tools

[Square]

Funny. Reading through this thread I’m reminded that in about 1999 I wanted to buy an $8000 classical guitar. After a bit of reading I told my wife I could build my own much cheaper.

Fast forward to about 2005 and 10-15 guitars later ( and a butt load of tools) the wife became fond of telling me I should have just bought the $8000 guitar.

Grizzly.com for cheaper power tools that are well made.

 

[MovinTarget]

Picked up on facebook marketplace for $50; Ryobi BS901... just needs a table locking arm or I can find the right bolt and lock it level as I doubt I'll angle the table ever...

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Picked up on facebook marketplace for $50; Ryobi BS901... just needs a table locking arm or I can find the right bolt and lock it level as I doubt I'll angle the table ever...

Sure, that's a decent little bandsaw. Not much horsepower, so don't expect too much of it. But it will handle a lot of general bass building tasks. It's inexpensive and small and easy to store. I have some Ryobi tools, and I like them. They're not real heavy duty, but they are well designed and good quality. Good value for the price. And replacement parts are easily available.

If you eventually get a bigger bandsaw, you'll probably still keep the Ryobi for doing small parts. It's very handy having a big bandsaw and a small bandsaw.

 

[MovinTarget]

Sure, that's a decent little bandsaw. Not much horsepower, so don't expect too much of it. But it will handle a lot of general bass building tasks. It's inexpensive and small and easy to store. I have some Ryobi tools, and I like them. They're not real heavy duty, but they are well designed and good quality. Good value for the price. And replacement parts are easily available.

If you eventually get a bigger bandsaw, you'll probably still keep the Ryobi for doing small parts. It's very handy having a big bandsaw and a small bandsaw.

Up to total price of $50.37 with the bolt from big orange, I had the washer already:

Like I said, no expectation of needing the table to tilt...

Current need is to rough shape the 1x2s that will make up my laminate body. Then I'll em up and finish shaping. This will reduce the complexity of each cut. It's my attempt at doing the body differently, not using a template and router.

I could say I'm trying new things... but I just needed another tool!

The body in question:

 

[MovinTarget]

It also speaks to the fact that in 20 years, there have been few earthshattering developments on the topic, mostly just refinements.

I may have to eat my words here... This is also, perhaps, the most "Murican" tool I've ever seen...