Guitar Tech Screwdriver Set

[Ray K.]

So, after years of trying to do everything at one desk - work (computer programming), music, guitar setups/mods, effects builds/mods, amp mods, etc. My sweet wife suggested that I get a seperate workbench. So I looked around quite a bit and got this one: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=2218-55738-LWWB08-3D4563&lpage=none

It's a pretty snappy workbench for the money, IMHO. That's where I will now do my guitar setups/mod and builds I've been wanting to do, effects builds/mods, amp mods and builds I've also been wanting to do. My main desk will go back to being only for work, music and recording that I've been wanting to do.

So, finally to my question(s). Does anyone own or have seen in person the Guitar Tech Screwdriver Set from Stew-Mac? It's here: http://tinyurl.com/2xoru4.

I have accumulated a fair amount of useful tools over the years. But, this looks like it would be worth the $25. I might even buy a spare handle, so I could use more than one bit at a time (one in each hand maybe? :D ). I'm also thinking it would be easy to transport, either in my tool case or gig bag when needed.

I have a couple of Wiha Precision Hex Screwdrivers .050 and really like their quality and the swivel end. But, pricing a set of these in various sizes and configurations gets pretty expensive real quick.

I'm not stuck on brand name, I even do business with my local Harbor Freight. So, if someone knows of something better for the money, let's hear about it, please.

While I'm at it, I need to do add something to the workbench top for working on guitars. I've looked around online at the stuff that is available for order or purchase in a store. But, I'm thinking just some smooth pile carpet or felt for the pad. Then cut a neck rest out of wood and just glue some felt where the neck will come in contact with it. Again, I'm asking for ideas or opinions.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

for the often used #1 and #2 phillps screw drivers we splurge on snap on tools. they are wonderful. i'd say just look at the stuff you know you're going to use a lot and get good stuff. rare usage can be done with cheaper stuff or replaced when it's obvious that it's not good enough.

[ConnemaraGuitar]

Hello, Ray. I have this tool set and it's OK. I like it because lots of tips come in a small package, and they get the job done. The bits are small, though, and don't stay in their little slots in the box.

On my workbench, though, is a set of scredrivers I bought at a local hardware store...Ace. There were 6 different drivers, both flat and phillips, but small. They're comfortable to hold.

I'd suggest you take a look at Tubedepot.com for tools...I have various cutters, pliers, etc., from them.

Check this out:

http://www.tubedepot.com/tl-vtset25u.html

I echo what Tom said: buy good stuff. I'll add the caveat: don't let anyone "borrow" them since tools are not good at finding their way home on their own!

My choice would be to go with the Stew-Mac driver set and the TubeDepot kit as well. It'd be a great start!

Oh, and get a multi-meter for checking wiring and stuff. You can get one at Radio Shack or pretty much anywhere.

For the bench, I use bath towels for padding. Since I'm usually cutting bits of metal and such, I like to be able to shake them out and then run 'em through the washing machine. It's a little "clunky" but I think it protects the guitars really well. And I like the Planet Waves tripod thingy to support the neck during string changes.

Another caveat: do not use your wife's best towels for this. Go to Bed Bath & Beyond and buy really plush, really ugly colored towels.

Good luck!

[tom]

yes, avoid carpet. it holds little guitar scratchers where you can't see them. you want to be able to lift it up and shake it out. we put a layer of white foam material in the bench then use a bath towel on top of that.

[dannopelli]

One thing on the towels:

I suggest you use white towels. It is FAR EASIER to find parts on them if they fall. And the Martha Stewart towels are actually really great and a good value. (We run a B&B and a few rooms have them)

Also and this is IMPORTANT: Wash them separately and DO NOT USE BLEACH OR SOFTENER. Be sure you double rinse. Laundry detergents and softeners can wreak havoc on certain finishes.

[bruce]

I own the Stew Mac screwdriver set. I bought it thinking it would be a great thing to have on the road to save space. Turns out I never use it. I got sick of having to open up the case, search for the right bit when needing a #1, a #2 a, a flat, etc. For $24 its a good deal though.

[ConnemaraGuitar]

Funny thing, Bruce. When I read your post, I thought, "he's hit the nail on the head!" The kit is a nuisance to use. However, the allen wrench tips are useful for bridge adjustments. Regular allen wrenches are just too small to handle comfortably. And it SEEMS like such a good deal for the money.

Oh, and Tom: I favor Ralph Lauren towels. What brand do you folks use at TAGW? I want to be authentic!

[Ray K.]

Yeah, the allen bits are what mainly interested me with the Stew Mac kit. I really don't care for the cheaply made allen wrenches that come with some guitars and saddle sets. They seem to get rounded out after not much use because they are a softer metal than the stainless allen string height screws.

I guess I could just buy what I needed from Wiha or Snap-On, etc.

I'm good on screwdrivers. I have Snap-On and other brands. Though I'm thinking of getting some with a longer shaft. For when I'm working on a slab top guitar (tele, etc.) so the handle isn't rubbing against the body when I need to adjust intonation.

I also have most other tools that I need for mechanical or electrical type work. I'm good with meters and bench top power supply, etc. I've also had a "no borrow" policy in place for as far back as I can remember.

On the way home yesterday I went by Lowe's and then Harbor Freight. I picked up a few more items for the workbench itself and looked at different fabrics/materials for the top. As I was looking at the carpets, I realized what ya'll have already pointed out.They would be good at hiding hard to see bits that could scratch the finish.

I held off buying anything for the top of the workbench, except for this: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47262&Submit=Go.

It's a utility pad made of a poly/cotton blend. Yes, similar to a moving pad but seems softer to the touch and lighter than I remember. Folded up, it also has some nice cushion to it. It is black color on one side, but light gray on the other. I'm thinking this will work fine, but I do have plenty of foam in different thicknesses and good towels (or I'll buy some) if ya'll think that would be the smarter route. But, I have seen more than one tech's bench with one of these on it. Doesn't mean it's right, but I figured I could use this utility pad for something else if it doesn't work out for working on guitars.

I also picked up a universal vise with a suction base. Basically a knock off a Panavise. I needed it anyway, but I'm wondering about using it as the neck cradle. It has soft rubber covers for the jaws. I would still place some other soft material in it to completely protect the neck. I'm also not about to go and really clamp the neck hard - put the squeeze on it, or any such nonsense. It would be more like a cradle. Here's the vise: http://www.wiltontool.com/Products.aspx?Part=63500

Although I have though about also using it to lightly clamp the body, maybe the lower bought, so that it is in the playing position. This would allow me to set intonation, check relief, etc. without having to hold the guitar in my lap. It would leave both hands free. Yes, I happened to see Dan Erlewine's demo of the fancy and expensive stand and vise from Stew-Mac when I was looking for workbenches. ;)

Bruce or Loftin, if either of you want to part with your Stew-Mac kit reasonably, please PM me. If nothing else, I wouldn't mind having the handle and allen bits.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

since the jaws don't sit directly over the base of that vise, if the vac lets go you could have a mess on your hands. i think a more stable neck cradle might be better.

[dannopelli]

Funny thing,... a good deal for the money.

Oh, and Tom: I favor Ralph Lauren towels. What brand do you folks use at TAGW? I want to be authentic!

Mr Funny Man...

You wife must do the shopping. We buy towels at K-Mart and Target. LOL!

[Ray K.]

Tom,

Good point. Something I hadn't thought about... :(

But, awhile ago I tried it out like I mentioned with my Squire Strat. I first used it as a cradle with the fretboard facing up. (with plenty of soft, felt-like material and padding) The way I would want it oriented for string changes. It worked fine. Then I lightly clamped the lower bout, just snug enough to hold it in place. I was able to site up and down the neck as if I were checking relief or adjusting string height. I was pretty excited that this might actually work out as planned.

I could get another similar vise but with a standard (bolt down) base, but if the swivel ball mechanism ever let go, I'd be in the same boat. Not good.

I'll look around for a standard bench vise that won't have a chance to move unexpectedly and evaluate it.

If you have any suggestions for a neck cradle, store bought or diy, please let me know.

I think Loftin mentioned the Planet Waves cradle. I'm thinking it would be fine for portable use, but it looks like it wouldn't be as stable. Then again, I've not seen one in person.

Maybe I should stick with the old standby, a padded shot bag?

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

we just made ours with the neck rest inserts from cases. a padded shot bag sounds good.

[Ray K.]

Great idea, Tom. I don't have an old case, but now I know to keep a look out for one. Or, I could build a neck rest from plywood and cover it with padding and fabric. I also have a place near me that will have shot bags o'plenty. ;)

Meantime, I've still been messing around with this vise. I have it set up, with the Squire Strat in the playing position, without the vacuum base engaged.

On it's own it's fine. If I give the upper bout of the guitar a bit of a push in one direction, it starts to slowly fall over. So, it needs improvement on the stability at the base. Otherwise I still like the ability to mount the guitar in different ways.

A friend has a Panavise, similar in style, but he had added a weighted base to his. Nothing store bought, just a piece of junked metal. I might go this route, securely fastening the base to the weight - not using the vacuum.

I priced a standard model Panavise with the 5lb weighted base they sell, but it's about $70. I got a good deal on the Wilton vise at $28.

Another reason I'm hung up on this vise is I can see so many uses for it - rough cutting nuts, holding circuit boards and on and on. But I also would like to be able to move it out of the way when not being used, that's why I'm not considering a bolt on style vise.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[lvergne]

You need to adjust the intonation in a playing position. This way when you fret the string, it is fretted based upon your hand position in the playing mode. Not an "artificial" position.

[ConnemaraGuitar]

Ray-
The Planet Waves neck tripod is pretty wimpy, but it folds up nice and does a good job. I wouldn't use it to support the neck for a re-fret job but it's great for string changes, truss rod adjustments, etc.

A padded shot bag would work great, too. If you use lead shot, make sure you don't injest any.

No matter what you use, though, the guitar will want to scoot around and act insolent. The image of trying the wipe the nose of a 4 year-old seems apt.

I think if I could come up with the perfect work table, it would be shape of a guitar, would be free-standing, would rotate 360 degrees, would be adjustible in height, and well padded. It would pivot to allow the neck to be higher than the body, or level, and the pivot would also allow the guitar to rotate into a playing position.

The guitar would be held in place by gentle clamps that are non-marring yet firm enough to keep the instrument from running away.

Hmmm. Maybe I'll head down to the shop and start playing around with this idea!

BTW, I don't want to let my Stew-Mac driver set go. I do like it for the allen wrenches. Thanks for the offer, though!

Oh, and to Danno: You know me too well!!!

[Ray K.]

You need to adjust the intonation in a playing position. This way when you fret the string, it is fretted based upon your hand position in the playing mode. Not an "artificial" position.
Hi lvergne,

I'm not sure what you mean by an "artificial" position? :confused:

I've always done my setups, especially setting intonation with the guitar in my lap - hunched over. That's why I'm so glad to have a workbench now and a way to hold the guitar in a playing position. I can stand up while working on the guitar.

Sometimes pictures help, so I got around to snapping a couple:
http://members.cox.net/curtiskband/bench01.jpeg
http://members.cox.net/curtiskband/bench02.jpeg

I'm still in the process of organizing the bench to my liking, so please excuse the work in progress (i.e., mess). :)

Ray K.

[Ray K.]

Loftin,

Thanks for verifiying what I suspected about the Planet Waves neck tripod. I'm not knocking it though. I does look like a useful product. Would be quite useful for string changes at a gig.

I'm assuming you haven't seen the latest whiz-bang contraption that Stew-Mac and Dan Erlewine have come up with. No it's not exactly a "workbench," but I believe it'll do all that you are wishing for. Go here and click on the "Play Video" on the right hand side of the page: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Jigs_and_fixtures/Erlewine_ShopStand.html

Anyway, I understand that you want to hang on to your screwdriver kit. No problem, just thought I'd ask. I know where to get one if I decide it's something I really need.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[lvergne]

What I meant regarding the "artificial" position is one that simulated your playing position versus actually holding it in the position you will be playing. Your hand position and pressure on the fret have an effect (minimal but still an effect) on the reading for intonation. No matter what position you use, you will obtain good intonation, but if you want the most precise, then the actual position is required. At least in my eyes, or rather ears.

If you want to be this accurate, then I would suggest putting the guitar in your lap if you prefer seated position playing or putting it on with the strap and intonating that way.

I have to say that your bench setup position looks like it would get you there.

Hey, whatever works for you and your ears is what is best. Have faith in your ears and use everything else as a tool. Not a crutch.

[Ray K.]

Hi lvergne,

I apologize if I'm just not understanding, but I respectfully disagree. :)

I was taught so long ago that I don't remember by whom that the guitar should be intonated while in the playing position. If memory serves my correctly, and that's shaky ground, it had to do with gravity working on the strings.

So, to use your example, suppose I intonate a guitar while in a seated position. Does that mean the guitar will not tune as accurately when I play it while standing up with a guitar strap?

I'll go one step further. What if someone (we'll pick on Tom) intonates the guitar and I pick it up from him at the shop (no shipping involved). Since my playing position may be different than his, will the guitar not tune accurately?

Again, I mean no disrespect, but hopefully you can see where I'm somewhat confused with your statements.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[Ray K.]

The primary reasons the Guitar Tech Screwdriver Set appeals to me is primarily the allen bits and the price. I'm good on flat and phillips screwdrivers.

Well, I've searched high and low it seems. I can't seem to find a set of allen screwdrivers with the same sizes. Well, the few I did were way more costly!

Hex keys will still be useful at times for tight spaces, and T-handles for tougher stuff. But I would prefer the ease of use of an allen screwdriver for string height screws, knob screws, etc.

So I figure I just bought a nice set of allen bits for guitar setups and work for $25/shipping and will get a bonus of some flat and phillips bits along with it. ;)

Ray K.

[lvergne]

Ray,

Intonate the guitar to whatever way will ease your mind. This way you can enjoy playing it.

Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. In other words, don't get lost in the finest of details and lose the picture.

I think I've said enough to say that I am stepping out of this topic. I apologize for any confusion.