Tools needed to trim braces and prepare sides for top mating

[peter havriluk]

Folks, before I buy tools I don't need, may I please have some advice as to what I do need? The immediate need is to trim soundboard braces already factory-installed in a kit guitar project and cut pockets in the guitar sides for the braces that will extend into the sides. If at all possible I'd like to limit the tools bought to 'ordinary' woodworking tools and hang back from the luthier-specific tools that can seriously affect my beer budget. Any advice/explanation will be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks very much. Again!

[ken cierp]

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/attachingtop.html

There's a tutor for the back braces too.

The KMG website has all the info and tool requirements to build a complete guitar including a step by step process (KMG Assembly manual) that will work for almost any kit or scratch built -- might want to spend some time there -- just a thought. Don't get me wrong questions are always welcome at the forum -- just pointing out some one stop learning materials.

[Dave Bagwill]

+1 on the assembly manual. It answers a lot of questions and you will learn a lot also. I did. I still am. :-)

[TonyinNYC]

To cut the brace pockets you only need a utility knife. A razor saw is helpful and cheap so get one of them too. I built my first KMG success kit with only the clamps provided, a half inch chisel, razor saw and utility knife. Easy as pie....if pie took 7 weeks and 100 hours to make. And a lit of tight fitting joints. And needed a router for binding and purfling. But easy as that pie would be.

[peter havriluk]

Thanks, Tony. Folks can get quite wrapped up in their toolboxes, and I suspect I will, too, on this skillset, in my own way. But there's a whole lot of commercial tool vendors out there telling us that life can't go on without what they're selling.