Buying Electric Guitar set-up, repair tools questions Stewmac vs. Nomad, Metric vs. Industrial

[FluorideInMyWater]

So, i need to buy some tools to start doing guitar setups and basic repairs, and eventually doing some DIY builds.

so there is this basic stewmac kit, which is available in metric or industrial (inches), but i really have no idea which to buy or which measurement (metric/standard) to base all my guitar tools on.

I'm guessing that Stewmac is the "Snap-on" of guitar tools, and Nomad is perhaps the "Mac"-tools, or "Craftsman" version of guitar tools? in comparison?
are the Stewmack tools worth the money, or perhaps more important for particular jobs.......just curious about what the reality is about the quality over the perception of quality between Stewmac and Nomad (or 3rd options?)

Amazon.com

and so for this string action gauge in this tool set, what would most people use? metric or standard? it seems from reading a much of posts that inches is preferred for one task and metric is preferred for other measurements?

since this is going to be the basis for my tool collection, i'd rather start with the correct system of measurements and go from there.

your input is appreciated!!!!

thanks!

john

 

[teleme01]

A combination of both metric and standard, stewmac is more $ but you know your not getting ripped off, if you don't like their products, they take them back. Wrench set , mini tools kit,

 

[FluorideInMyWater]

A combination of both metric and standard, stewmac is more $ but you know your not getting ripped off, if you don't like their products, they take them back. Wrench set , mini tools kit,

so if you were going to buy this set

Amazon.com

which basically only has the string-action gauge that you get to decide between metric/standard, which would you choose? metric or standard? and why?

i'm also looking at this Music Nomad setup kit which is standard and metric

Amazon.com

 

[TBurst Std]

Forget radius gauges and action gauges. Simply get a spark plug feeler gauge.

https://www.amazon.com/Hotop-Blades-Feeler-Imperial-Measuring/dp/B06XHXJG31/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=1J0FCSNXZCO49&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wUPdojR1aC7OMprn6t5frnKxpseGLn7eA2hjHeh5TLDE4IzxrOoEaW47_H7X6C0yialL1W2smaWIU5Iq8j9wW0FOgxCbEhT6MOXzXFS9q8vMX7rMMkj5ATttP_O_basJfqlzQqYERdvsRhxxA0vMR-JkkJGBvPagTt6EDV1N6AeXKsUiMdE7gnFrXCRcgnlA21BXUyUN7WsAUcUzY1hJIQ.TO34fCKE8JRpc5zFJDy3QVJn6oj3SmEcz5ymV0OdoGA&dib_tag=se&keywords=feeler+gauges&qid=1732933368&sprefix=feeler%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-4

 

[FluorideInMyWater]

Forget radius gauges and action gauges. Simply get a spark plug feeler gauge.

https://www.amazon.com/Hotop-Blades-Feeler-Imperial-Measuring/dp/B06XHXJG31/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=1J0FCSNXZCO49&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wUPdojR1aC7OMprn6t5frnKxpseGLn7eA2hjHeh5TLDE4IzxrOoEaW47_H7X6C0yialL1W2smaWIU5Iq8j9wW0FOgxCbEhT6MOXzXFS9q8vMX7rMMkj5ATttP_O_basJfqlzQqYERdvsRhxxA0vMR-JkkJGBvPagTt6EDV1N6AeXKsUiMdE7gnFrXCRcgnlA21BXUyUN7WsAUcUzY1hJIQ.TO34fCKE8JRpc5zFJDy3QVJn6oj3SmEcz5ymV0OdoGA&dib_tag=se&keywords=feeler+gauges&qid=1732933368&sprefix=feeler%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-4

don't i need a radius guage to set up my tremelo saddle heights?.....there were literally never set up. they are they way they came from the factory.......not set up.
i do have a feeler guage, but it was literally for cars, since i was a mechanic.........so it got unfriendly residue all over it. a new one would work.

so if you were going to pick, say, the top 5 individual tools i should put in my guitar tool-chest, what would they be?

you think a string action gauge isn't needed?

 

[teleme01]

Some guitar parts are metric, Some are not, Get both sets so you can use the correct tools for the parts

 

[FluorideInMyWater]

Some guitar parts are metric, Some are not, Get both sets so you can use the correct tools for the parts

that sounds like an extremely expensive endeavor! can't you just choose the "more-correct" measurment-type for each tool?
let's start with just the string action guage? is there any type of consensus on using metric or standard for this particular item?

 

[TBurst Std]

don't i need a radius guage to set up my tremelo saddle heights?.....there were literally never set up. they are they way they came from the factory.......not set up.
i do have a feeler guage, but it was literally for cars, since i was a mechanic.........so it got unfriendly residue all over it. a new one would work.

so if you were going to pick, say, the top 5 individual tools i should put in my guitar tool-chest, what would they be?

you think a string action gauge isn't needed?

A feeler gauge and a micrometer will do it all.
All we are doing is setting strings and saddles relative to a fretboard. You’ll need a capo or 2 as well.

Need to set relief: capo 1 . Set the other capo as far up as you can. Measure at fret 6 or 7. I use a feeler gauge. You’re looking for .007-.004.

Need to set action: capo fret 1. Measurement with your micrometer at fret 12. Each string. Adjust as desired.

You’re done. Again get Dan Erwlwines books

 

[FluorideInMyWater]

A feeler gauge and a micrometer will do it all.
All we are doing is setting strings and saddles relative to a fretboard. You’ll need a capo or 2 as well.

OK, i'll put that on my list.

Need to set relief: capo 1 . Set the other capo as far up as you can. Measure at fret 6 or 7. I use a feeler gauge. You’re looking for .007-.004.

So then, regarding string action, you measure in standard/inches............if i'm deciphering that correctly........not that you need the guage, but if you did, it would be standard/industrial LOL

Need to set action: capo fret 1. Measurement with your micrometer at fret 12. Each string. Adjust as desired.

You’re done. Again get Dan Erwlwines books

gonna order that up.

 

[TBurst Std]

One specialty tool I do like is this

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/straightedges/string-action-gauge/?queryid=0a13689e2e4c5a54daad58638fe79689

You can get them cheaper on Amazon but I’ve heard they are not accurate.
I actually use this for setting action (it’s easier than a micrometer). Get imperial as you live in the US.
Let’s take a strat as an example. Set your relief using the feeler gauge. Now set action for each string using above posted methods/items.
You can see that automatically gets each saddle on a trem to the correct radius. No need for radius gauges.

 

[FluorideInMyWater]

One specialty tool I do like is this

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/straightedges/string-action-gauge/?queryid=0a13689e2e4c5a54daad58638fe79689

You can get them cheaper on Amazon but I’ve heard they are not accurate.

The actual gauge is not accurate? or the lower prices? yes, i've seen things on amazon for less, except for this weekends stewmac black friday discounts.

i guess reading a book to see what measurements they talk about for each task would be helpful in figuring this out.

I actually use this for setting action (it’s easier than a micrometer). Get imperial as you live in the US.
Let’s take a strat as an example. Set your relief using the feeler gauge. Now set action for each string using above posted methods/items.
You can see that automatically gets each saddle on a trem to the correct radius. No need for radius gauges.