setup tools

[swarfrat]

So I've been combing old threads and thought I would just ask. We all see the various gizmos Stewmac likes to sell us for one off tasks. Some are genuinely ingenious time savors, some might be worth it for pros doing mundane tasks day in and out and time is money. Others... Might be clever but not really necessary.

So what's in the "really ought to get this if you're going to do more than one or two setups or builds?" I saw Cagey plugging the stewmac dial indicator nut thing a while back. (But they're out of the bass version and nobody seems to sell a bass knockoff).

What about things like the under string radius gauges and notched straight edges? Anything else you want to plug?

 

[arealken]

For me, the Stewey Z-file Crowning tool is indispensa..indaspenc...it's necessary. I do not think you can obtain a tool of the like anywhere else , but it's real costly, I mean REAL costly, then again a lot of stuff from Stew mac is.
Not exactly a tool, but the tapered neck pocket shims are a must have.
One thing about a lot of stuff they sell is you can get the same stuff much cheaper, but like radius gauges, string and saddle gauges, fret rockers, but i've read reviews of many being cheaply constructed and inaccurate.

 

[swarfrat]

+1 on the understring radius gauges. Not expensive and handy. I've got my favorite guitar (and early 80's Zion) set up with 13's and trying to keep the action as low as I can get it, sort of a Phil Collen type setup with heavy gauge strings set low. Realized I could get it quite a bit lower on the bass side. Also grabbed a 12" radius block for my fretless neck finish sanding.

 

[rauchman]

For me, the Stewey Z-file Crowning tool is indispensa..indaspenc...it's necessary. I do not think you can obtain a tool of the like anywhere else , but it's real costly, I mean REAL costly, then again a lot of stuff from Stew mac is.
Not exactly a tool, but the tapered neck pocket shims are a must have.
One thing about a lot of stuff they sell is you can get the same stuff much cheaper, but like radius gauges, string and saddle gauges, fret rockers, but i've read reviews of many being cheaply constructed and inaccurate.

Have to agree with this.  I'm far from an expert, have one done 1 guitar to date, but I've bought a couple of cheaper tools on Amazon that turned out not to be accurate.  Wound up buying the Stew Mac tool anyway.  Buy once, cry once.

As for tools I'd want in the tool kits, ....
Fret End Dressing File https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-fretting/fret-end-dressing-file.html
Straight Edge https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-fretting/precision-straightedges.html
Neck Support Caul https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-fretting/neck-support-caul.html
Fret Rocker https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-fretting/fret-rocker.html

There are others that are more specific for frets jobs and what not, but these 4 I've found essential for a good initial setup.

 

[ghotiphry]

This. I use it all the time.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/screwdrivers/guitar-tech-screwdriver-set.html