Materials and Tools List

Setup is such an important task, that you will likely want to collect a set of tools that you use only for setup. You may use some for other things, but a good collection of setup tools will be invaluable. It may take you a while to find some that fit your need just perfectly. And you'll need to make some of the tools and jigs as well. We'll make some of these at the workshop. This this is a fairly extensive list and may take some budget, but you should be able to share some with others if you can't find things on the list or wait till you see some of them in use.

Questions? Call 201-857-3953

Return to VKBasses Home

Tool List

Item	Find	Photo
Notebook	local store
No 2 Pencil (with sharpener) and eraser	local store
Mechanical pencil – 0.5mm leads	local store
Shop apron	local store or art shop
Plastic template material for bridge, fingerboard, and nut.	local art or craft shop
Carpet or thick towel for workbench, to lay bass on, and hand/kitchen towel	local store
1 1/2" foam block (24" long) to support back of bass at button	old packing material	see above
Scrap bedsheet or cloth tablecloth to cover bass body during fingerboard dressing	Scrap cloth or local store
Fingerboard wedge made from 2x4 cutoff	make at workshop
Black magic markers – thin and thick	local store
Swing-arm lamp – clamp-on	local store
Scissors – 3" or 4"	local store
Violinmaker's knife 12mm – double bevel	ee suppliers below
Violinmaker's knife 12mm – single bevel, right (for LH user) or left (for RH user)	see suppliers below	See example for RH users
Sharpening stones (or diamond) in course and fine	see suppliers below
Leather thumb protector (optional)	available at Woodcraft, etc.
Three 6" rulers with metric on at least one side. Nice to have one with metric on opposite side.	local hardware store	various brands available
6" stiff ruler, like General	local hardware store	see General 6" stiff ruler
12" flexible ruler with Engl/Metric, like General	local hardware store	see General #1201
12" stiff Bench Rule, like Woodcraft	woodworking supplier	see 12" bench ruler
Aluminum 36" ruler (stiff) or Woodworking Rule, like Woodpeckers WWR36	woodworking supplier or art shop	see woodworker rule and ruler
Compass with pencil – simple inexpensive type works best	local store	see General #843/1
4" Divider, Spring Joint, Flat Leg, like General #450-4	tool supplier
Paper towels	local store
Glue: Titebond, Liquid Hide Glue, and Crazy Glue	local store
Bass endpin reamer (optional). Bring one if you have it, but you'll need one at some point.	see suppliers below
2 steel F-clamps	local hardware store	Jorgansen or equivalent
Bungee cord 18" to 24"	local store
Lead shot bag (optional) for hold-down	some available in class to share
6" warding bastard file and handle	local hardware store or see suppliers below
6" mill file for metal with handle	local hardware store
3" triangle file	local hardware store
Two bridge files – one medium, one larger for E-string (or full set for 4 strings)	see suppliers below
Stanley 9 ½ block plane (adjustable) or equivalent. We will change the bevel, so dedicate this one for fingerboards	local hardware store
Stanley 60 ½ low-angle block plane (adjustable) or equivalent. Used for shaving face of bridge.	local hardware store
Flexible steel scraper	local hardware store for steel. some available in class	blue steel or thin saw blade
4 sanding blocks – can be made at the Workshop	I'll bring block, you bring sandpaper	various grits as listed below
Tri-M-Ite Sandpaper – one sheet each 80, 120, 150, 220 grits	local hardware store (some available at workshop)
3-M adhesive backed 120 grit Tri-M-Ite	local hardware store	see 3M #9112 or 9209NA
3" to 4" bowl for water	local store
Cello soundpost setter - stiff	see suppliers below
Bass soundpost setter - stiff (need both)	see suppliers below
Inspection light for bass – make one at workshop or LED strip light for bass (nice).	get parts or LED from Gatchell Violins	see candelabra socket and switch see assembled light see LED light and battery pack
2-1/4" inspection mirror – Sears or General. Single extension is sufficient and better.	local hardware store	see General #557
Soundpost retriever – 2-prong, not 4-prong – like Snap-On Item #GA265A	see Snap-On Tools	see 2-prong retriiever
4" bench clamp-on vise	local hardware store or see supplier list	bench vise examples
Chisel 3/4"	see woodworking supplier
Gouge – 3 sweep - 20mm	woodworking supplier or see suppliers below
Stiff scrapers – curved, or glass scrapers	made in workshop	steel about 2-1/2" to 3" or glass
China marker – black or white	local stationery
Lipstick (for fitting bridge) – muted red or brown-red works well	local pharmacy
Long pencil – 2 feet, can be made with pencil and dowel	make your own. Use fat pencil, if possible.	fat pencil extended using copper plumbing connector
Steel vernier calipers (for marking)(no battery) – cheap, like General 5" caliper	local hardware store	see General #722
Drill bits 1/8", 3/16", ¼" (and F bit optional)	local hardware store
Jig for holding bridge when drilling holes for adjusters. We can show you some options at the workshop.	make at workshop or later at home (If you have one, bring it.)
1/4x20 tap and T-handle	local hardware store
Scratch awl	local hardware store
Paraffin (or wax candle) optional	bring, but some available at workshop
Small reamer (with handle)	local hardware store or see suppliers below	examples - can add handle
8" square	local hardware store
A 440 pitch pipe	see suppliers below or music store

Power Tools – Available for your use at UNH Workshop

You will find it useful to have these available at your shop:

• Band saw
• Oscillating Spindle Sander – ¾" up to 2" spindle diameters, minimum 4 ½" high
  (As an option, there are spindle sanders you can use with a drill press.)
• 1" Belt sander and disk sander
• Drill press with milling attachment and drill press vise.