Mandolin Building costs

**Ben Somerville** · Jul-27-2010, 12:05pm

Hey guys,

I've been thinking about possibly starting a small, very simple mandolin shop, but the cost of all the big tools is holding me back. Could someone let me know what tools I really need to start building and about how much it would cost?

Thanks!

-Ben

**Geoff B** · Jul-27-2010, 12:28pm

this has been discussed a lot in the past, and I'm assuming you haven't built before, if that's wrong, this may not apply to you. Besides lots of hand tools (more quality is recommended, and comes with higher price) the main power tools I use are a Bandsaw, Drill press, router, dremel and Mitre saw. Other helpful ones would be a jointer, belt/disk/spindle sander, maybe a planar. You'll need a nice sturdy bench, good lighting, a way to control dust, many power hand tools and a good selection of clamps.

For starting off the best advice I'd give you is to get Siminoff's book go through it very thoroughly, get some materials, then figure out what you can get done with what you have, or if it's worth investing in the tools. Lot's of times you can make use of a friend's shop if you only need a tool for a very specific job. In the first few builds you may need to improvise in order to get a feel for it. The craft can be very addicting, but it is very expensive if you tool up and figure out you actually don't want to do it.

The absolute best way to get into it, would be to link up with a builder in your area and see if you can sweet talk your way into the shop and learn a little. I'd expect to pay (at least offer) for something like that, and the best would be if you could just solicit the builder's help as you try to build your own (or with them... however you arrange it).

It's a loaded question and not knowing more about your experience with building, it'd be really hard to put a number on what you need. Think of the max $ you could put into it, then double it and cut your free time in 1/2. I think it'd cost at least that much.

**peter.coombe** · Jul-27-2010, 6:31pm

I have pictures of tools on my web site for just this sort of question. Is a bit out of date, now have a new workshop and I purchased some new machinery, mainly to save time, but it covers just about everything. Go to http://www.petercoombe.com/Workshop_and_tools.htm

**Michael Lewis** · Jul-28-2010, 1:41am

Some people are natural artists and just know what instruments are supposed to look, sound, and feel like, and some of us have to learn the hard way, and it can take a long time. Some people never get it no matter how long or hard they try. If you intend to make a business out of your activity you will have to invest more time and effort than you probably expect. There are legal considerations, taxes to collect and pay, bookkeeping, and a whole lot more. No one wants the IRS knocking on their door. If you are in the USA you can contact the Small Business Development Center near you for some basic education about having a business. That is our tax dollars at work, take advantage of it.

**Ben Somerville** · Jul-28-2010, 6:04pm

Thanks so much guys! This really helps. I'm not exactly sure what I'll do yet, but I have a friend who has a shop and I'll probably talk to him.

Thanks!

-Ben

**Rick Turner** · Jul-28-2010, 6:35pm

If you are going to build carved top and/or back instruments, and you want to make a living at this, you should seriously consider a duplicarver or small CNC machine which could then carve necks for you. I have done a lot of neck machining on a big overarm pin router, and you can tool up to rough carve tops and backs with one by the "terracing" method.

**crazymandolinist** · Jul-29-2010, 12:32pm

Honestly, when you're just starting out, all you need, (unless your preferences are very different) is a good bandsaw, a good drill press, a good set of chisels, a few gouges, measuring tools, coping saw, fretting saw, lotsa clamps (you can make these yerself you know), and a good solid plane. After that go through the steps of building the thing in your head and decide how you'd like to go about doing it. Most of these tools can find good use in the hands of any woodworker as well, so if you must bail out, which is indeed a very fine possibility, you can get rid of them easily enough, but you definitely won't get all your money back.

As for cost, the bandsaw and the drill press can easily total around 500-600 dollars, but that's for basic stuff, which is really all you need for a small shop. I got a small shop, and I can't see growing out of it really. the chisels don't have to cost too much at first. Get cheaper ones at first and then when you're making money decide whether you actually want to upgrade. I can get my stanley chisels pretty dang sharp so I'm quite satisfied. Shop smart and keep an eye out for yard sales and flea markets. Old tools are always better if they're in decent shape and don't run on electricity. I recommend staying away from old power tools unless you trust the seller to have your back if it breaks down on you. So the overall cost of all this stuff could come out to about two grand, five grand, however you go about it. For everything but power tools, harbor freight is a good source for cheap tools that work well enough for an amateur, which you are, I know this because I am and I actually have a shop hehe. Good luck!

**amowry** · Jul-29-2010, 1:40pm

I'd suggest starting as a hobby, with the bare minimum of tools. I built several mandolins (including F5s) with only hand tools, so it can be done. You can then add tools as you feel you need them. I buy tools used whenever that's possible, and I allowed myself one tool purchase per year until I got to a point where I felt I didn't need any more (plus I don't have space for any more, which can be a good thing). You could get a bandsaw and drill press used for a few hundred $$, and those would get you a long way.

**crazymandolinist** · Jul-29-2010, 10:32pm

F5's with JUST hand tools??? My hero.....

**Michael Lewis** · Jul-30-2010, 1:20am

Andrew is right on, start as a hobby and grow into a business if you can. Mike Kemnitzer of Nugget mandolins used hand chisels for the first few F5s he made, binding ledges and all.

Just because you make stuff doesn't mean people will flock to buy it. You will have to be a self promoter, self starter, and self supporting.

**Ben Somerville** · Jul-30-2010, 7:55pm

Thanks guys!
I probably won't be starting this any time soon, but I just wanted to know what it would take, and you've given me a good head start!

-Ben