This time I’m answering another question I have been asked several times. “What tools do I need to build guitars?” The answer is not super simple to explain. There are many different tools available. Some you need, some you dont. Some make the process easier, and some take more time than others. The tools you “need” are dependant upon what you want to accomplish and how quickly you want to get it done. If your budget allows all the latest and greatest tools, then by all means go for it. If it doesn’t, then don’t let that stop you. You can still build an instrument with only a few specialized tools. The rest of them, many of you could already have. Things like files and some basic hand tools will get the job done.
I put together this video covering some of the more specialized tools that I use, and also give a few workarounds if you don’t have some of them. Check it out below.

Here are a few affiliate links to some of the tools I mentioned.
Notched Straight Edge and Fret Rocker
Fret End Dressing File
Arbor Press
Fret Press Cauls for Arbor Press
Weller Soldering Station
Fretting Hammer
Precision Straightedge