Must-have tools for building from a kit

[benwade90]

As a beginner about to get into building (starting with a kit), what tools do you consider absolutely necessary?

[otterly2k]

There have been several threads on this topic -
here's a link to one of them: must have tools (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=15105;hl=beginner+tools )

[Bill Snyder]

Which kit are you going to be buildig? The Stewart MacDonald and Siminoff kits require more tooling up than the kits from International Violin.

[benwade90]

Thanks for the link, Otterly. Didn't see it when I did the search.

It's going to be an IV A style. I know they are a lot less intense than most of the other kits on the market, but as I have done almost no woodwork in the past, my tool collection is pretty much non-existent. And I want to go ahead and order the tools at the same time as the kit.

Don't forget the sandpaper! You can spend some pretty good money buying good quality papers in the several grits that will be most useful. Adhesive-backed sandpaper can be used to make a lot of temporary tools that will get you by until you can afford to purchase the correct tool or decide building mandolins isn't for you.

[benwade90]

Thanks for the adhesive sandpaper tip, neptune, that will definitely come in handy.

I know I'll definitely need a finger plane and a few good chisels, but are there any other simple hand tools that I should order as well?

[otterly2k]

with the IV kit, you may not need a finger plane... it's roughed out and doesn't need a lot more carving to get the graduations to specs. Different folks have used different tools for this. I used a combination of scrapers (which worked well for me on the maple back, but I had a much harder time with it on the spruce) and a borrowed triple-headed disc sander (thanks Stephanie!) to do it. I'm sure others will chime in with their methods. I just know that the cost of tools will rack up VERY fast indeed, so you'll want to make a good prioritized list for yourself.

you'll need spool clamps, which are easy to make IF you have the tools to make them (I didn't) and also relatively inexpensive to buy.

if you want to reshape the peghead, you'll need a way to do that...

[Bill Snyder]

Karen is correct about the finger planes (no suprise). They are not needed with the IV kit - at least not the a-style with f-holes.

[benwade90]

That's good to know. As a high-school student about to enter college, this project has a pretty tight budget, so not having to buy a $50 plane helps a lot.

[jlatorre]

You'll also need a set of nut files, to cut the slots in the nut properly. If you can borrow them from another luthier, great; otherwise, expect to spend some money (but you'll continue to use them for a long time on builds and repairs).

[Doug Edwards]

I thought this was pretty good, walks you through an IV kit build.

http://www.flickr.com/photos....3079648 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/greybeard-photography/sets/72157601823079648/)

A google search might turn up a few more. I'm working on a StewMac A5 kit.
http://ntbbluegrass.com/astyle.html

[Stanley Cox]

Doug, I was just at your building site and all looks mity fine. When is your estimated finish date? Argyle maybe?

Stanley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[RevJB]

I would like some suggestions as well. I want to build a good foundation of tools but not necessarily go overboard. This is what I have ordered so far:

DELUXE COPING SAW FRAME
COPING REPL. BLADES FINE (12)
COPING REPL BLADES MED (12)
MODEL MAKER RAZOR SAW
SLIPSTROP
SLIPSTROP COMPOUND
9 X 11 3X HANDY PACK 220 GRITIP
9 X 11 3X HANDY PACK 400 GRIT
9X11 3X HANDY PK SHTS 80G
9 X 11 3X HANDY PACK 120 GRIT

I also have a great set of Austrian gouges and chisels for wood carving. I figure I need a Dremel 400-6/90 kit with router attachment and maybe a drill press set as well. Is there anything that I truly need?

Thanks in advance,

J

[Bill Snyder]

You will probably need to get some sandpaper in the 320-2000 grits or MicroMesh when it comes time to put a finish on it.

[Rob Grant]

Tools are an interesting subject. Some newbie builders spend so much time worrying about and getting together the "necessary" tools that they never actually get around to building an instrument. Oh well, half the fun is "getting there."

I built my first mandolin (which I sold for $1200) using a handsaw, a selection of sandpaper, a few dental files and a 100mm angle grinder with a flexible sanding disc. Hey, it looked great, sounded beautiful and it's still that way some ten years later!

[Stephanie Reiser]

Karen is right: We have been over this. So, not to be redundant, an array of specialized clamps are good to have, and cheap and simple to make. Also, some good chisels of a few different widths, and a thickness gauge to measure your progress while carving top and back plates.
And for me, a good pair of reading glasses and a mug of hot chocolate (no, its not inlay filler).

[Stanley Cox]

A good straight- straight edge is handy to have and oh yes, more clamps. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Stanley http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[RevJB]

Thanks to all for your input! Much appreciated! I will post once I start working on the mandolin next week. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif