Are Cheap Guitar Tools On Amazon Any good?

#knowyourgear #sharpenmyaxe #mcknightrepair
Here is some affiliate links to gear In the order it appears in this video
Guyker Guitar Fretwire Bender
amzn.to/2OHxWSk
Fret and nut files that may not be good for either
amzn.to/31Fpf07
My Favorite Fret End File
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
V&H Soldering iron tip cleaner wire-typ
amzn.to/37iXfR0
Melissa's Sharpen My Axe video
• The Ultimate Squier Up...
15 Pieces Guitar Luthier Tools Set
amzn.to/3brml3w
The D Addario Kit I Love!
amzn.to/2StZ34k
Soldering Iron Kit Electronics, Rarlight 60W Adjustable
amzn.to/3brZW6g
Micro Mesh 9 Sanding Sheet Introductory Woodworkers Kit
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Know Your Gear T shirts
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D Addario Fret Polish Kit
imp.i114863.net/LMYvY
Dava Picks
amzn.to/2Ik60AL
I use D Addario American Series Cables
imp.i114863.net/rmNKQ
Stew Mac Tools like the ones I used in the video
Fret Bender
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
My Favorite Fret End File
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
Radius Gage Set
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
Understring Radius Gage Set
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
String Action Ruler
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...

[@runningwithscissors0911]

Stew Mac is expensive but their Fret End Dressing File is a real winner. Your Sharper My Axe video with Melissa was a WINNER - gave me confidence to work on my own guitar. Kudos to Melissa!

[@malicesmom]

I still use that copper sponge cleaner. A lot of times I forget to put solder on the tip when I turn the iron off and it oxidizes. That thing is totally worth $6.99.

[@cool555breeze]

Their fret crowning Z-file is the BOMB! $100 and worth every penny.

[@mattdylan664]

thanks to the assholes who voted for Biden that fret end dressing file has nearly double in price since this was filmed four years ago, one day Liberals will wake up and realize Trump wasn't lying about Fake News but they still lie about him daily

[@RainStickland]

I want tons of these videos! I'm just barely starting to work on our guitars, so getting reviews on tools is extremely helpful. I love your honesty.

[@MrEric622]

I think a series like this would be very helpful to those just learning to adjust, maintain, or repair their guitar. Definitely would have watched when I built my first Tele last year. Great vid Phil.

[@JayKughan]

I definitely think this video is a great idea.. yes, PLEASE definitely do more stuff like this. It's informative & I mean info that newbies need to know. It'll help people from making some mega mistakes (like scratching up a guitar.. or God forbid, scratching up someone else's guitar). Tanx heaps Phil. You're a legend 🤘🏽

[@njcranes]

Phil, thanks for all you do!!

[@arnottclark6959]

I'm thinking of doing my own work on my instruments , and this video definitely helped a lot ! Your reviews on these products were on point ! Thank you for this video !

[@michaelkartman3543]

Been wanting to get into working on my own guitars. Didn’t really know where to start on my search for inexpensive tools, and your video helps immensely. Thank you Philip!

[@ianp6742]

I have that same soldering iron and I've been using it for over a year without a problem. Also, if you haven't done a video on proper soldering technique already that would be enormously useful for a lot of us. Great video Phil, you have been so helpful for so many people.

[@mrenson9257]

Phil, love your videos! Sooo much info and helpful tips. Great idea for a video and would love to see more of it. I’m quite mechanical, so I’m well aware of quality tools and how they work and feel but I’m not a luthier and would rarely use most of the specialized tools needed so I’d love to hear all of your luthier hacks for gear and techniques. Thanks man!

[@otherGuise]

Really liked this one, glad you enjoyed it and I hope to see more like it.

[@anthonyglennmollicasr.425]

Great video, really helpful! I've been looking online for luthier tools and I really appreciate you taking the time to make this review - A+😊

[@alwaysrockn2009]

Finally- a thorough video about guitar tools. Awesome! Great video! Thanks dude for the review- this helps big time. Rock on!

[@SfordRog]

Good job, Phil! A series of videos offering a practical perspective about tools and other gear that are inexpensive and readily available would be a great resource. I like that you included reasons both pro and con for buying something that seems like a good deal online.

[@mikeivey8471]

Please do more tool reviews like this . Very informative !

[@rogerrussian9750]

Oh yes mate ! Do some more of these vids please. Fantastic !

[@Neonb1bLes]

GREAT video! Please keep doing videos like this Phil! Love it

[@speedinbob]

Was literally looking at kits this morning. Well timed and thank you!

[@edwardkennedy5500]

I really enjoyed this video. I am beginning to work on guitars and found this information very helpful. Keep up the good work.

[@benpowersguitar]

Very helpful. Great as always.

[@johns1159]

Phil, thanks again for your professional advice!

[@hxcpunkpassion6670]

Great video. I just subscribed. Thank you for your videos. I'm in the process of upgrading all of the parts on my LTD MH 400nt. I never knew how to set up a guitar before. But this time around i want to learn how to do it myself. You are helping me a lot with getting back into playing guitar.

[@4142Wilb]

I got a solder iron tool from Home Depot with a fancy light embedded in it for $20 - pretty awesome to brighten up the task at hand. Nice video. 👍🏽

[@mikecarreca7864]

Absolutely fantastic video today Phillip. I actually use a Ernie Ball tool kit and the rest are StuMac. I really like the soldier kit. I marked it on Amazon and the micro mesh. You didn't show a neck gauge but it was such a good topic today. Thank you

[@davidelizalde3844]

As a someone who's looking to get into guitar repairing/customizing as a hobby I found this video really useful :)

[@fezmey6117]

Great video with real thoughts on the products. This will likely save me quite a bit in the long run of just not buying garbage. I have been working on guitars for a long time, and mostly using more inexpensive products. Some of these I have looked at, and now know which ones to consider, and which ones to just ignore (for the ones I haven't already tried).

[@Rockies007]

Super useful info!

[@guitarshapedpizza]

I love this kind of thing Phil! please keep reviewing tools and how to use them.....

[@harryklippton]

Thanks for this video Phil. Ive been buying one or two stewmac tools a year, but it's nice to know about alternatives

[@dpdockery]

You rock man! Was literally on amazon looking at tools when this video’s notification popped up! Lol please do more of these. Maybe put together a “best budget tool set” for us home diy-ers. Thanks Phil

[@teddydavis3504]

Yep Phil. What DP says.

[@trentnichols5075]

I 4th. that!!!!

[@jaygustin1713]

Great video Phil. I've been looking at some of these tools as of late. Trying set up my own personal work bench. Thanks for the video. A video on setting up a home work bench and what tools would be great. I also loved your string change tool box (tackle box) video. I actually have one of those in the works as well but most of those tools are ending up on the bench. Thanks for all your great videos.

[@travishemming3783]

Thanks, Phil. Another incredibly useful video for those of us who like to work on our own gear. I've gotten a lot of use out of several cheap needle file sets from Amazon, both conventional toothed steel files and the diamond grit ones. I'm sure the quality can vary quite a bit, so maybe I've just gotten lucky. I find them great for nut work and fret ends, with the finer diamond grit files being the most useful for guitar work.

[@petebrown3715]

Thank you for this post. It makes sense.

[@mylemonblue3070]

Very cool. Thank you for doing this one! 🎸❤️

[@820hurleyj]

Great video! Yes, more videos for a non-luthier, but not afraid to tackle anything type guy.

[@MultiRDSD]

What brilliantly infectious enthusiasm!

[@jefferson4245]

All of the things you talked about are why I haven't been able to pull the trigger on on the Amazon files and such. As always, helpful information, even if I'm coming at this a year late. Thanks, Phillip!

[@michaelmace924]

Yeah, we get it!! You love everything StewMac.

[@TrebleJC]

Thank you for this video!

[@donaldfisher8556]

Hey Phil, great video. I have purchased some of the tools you reviewed last year. Your spot on. I have also purchased numerous tools from Stew Mac and like them a lot. But I too am not sorry about saving several dollars on some tools. Super video, thank you.

[@Yugiohplayer5]

Phil: gives real reviews even though he can get commissioned off our purchases because of this video. What a man and thank you for the vid because it also works as a review of every tool you may need for guitar maintenance! Best wishes from Afghanistan, army strong

[@mikhielthorsson6033]

Thank You for your service Brother, AATW. As always be safe, if you can't be safe be deadly and dangerous. I served 27yrs in the Army myself.

[@vansongs]

Love the technical stuff. Mount to the thing, clamp to the thing. You are so real, love your channel. :-)

[@avh9394]

Love this kinda stuff, thanks Phil!

[@tresblack4739]

Excellent video, very helpful! Do more!

[@frankiec2765]

Greetings from NY! Great review Phil, very helpful indeed. Thanks! :)

[@gravediggerdale4633]

Great video! keep them coming. Fret crown & level tools

[@ERWebster]

Great reviews, thanks for going over these. I actually bought that soldering kit a year or two back, has been very useful for me. The soldering iron can get pretty darn hot, and has enough mass to heat up contact points properly.

[@MuseMagnet]

Thanks Phil! Very cool. You mentioned you like tackle boxes for tools - please share the models you like for portability and larger.

[@DaVinci0963]

Thanks for doing what you do.

[@onesandzeros]

Great video as always Phil, thank you. I think you are 100% right about buying quality tools.

[@sak7530]

I have been waiting for this video!! The micro mesh and the copper tip cleaner are in my cart. I use the micro mesh pads from SM for my frets but I'll try the sheets.

[@johnlibby9355]

I have the exact same soldering kit. For starting out it's great.

[@joker71172]

I use the same D'addario kit. Was a sweet Xmas gift.

[@jonbellmusic5269]

awesome! Thank You Phil, for everything

[@venubhalla2825]

The lighting looks great, Phil

[@thecolorhero1078]

Thanks Phil. Ya reviewed two things that I just made ME think I was crazy, whew...Know Your Gear!

[@colakeith1]

Thanks! This was enlightening...

[@Chemist1076]

Good sensible advice. Thanks

[@REBELSCL]

Great idea I like this type of review.

[@niclastname]

This is an awesome idea for a video. I'd love for you to do more of these! As someone with your experience, it's nice to hear from you if something is good for the price or if it's something that you can save money on. I'm not very familiar with guitar tools, but I've used other tools and know that some things are fine to get form Harbor Freight, while others will just make your work more difficult than if you just got the better quality tool from the start.

[@jbn1237]

Phil! Loved this video! I'm currently amassing tools for my guitar and this was extremely helpful- as are all of your videos showing guitar maintenance and repair! Thank you very much!

[@crispysyd9190]

Awsome video!!! Let's do this again for sure. Thanks for everything you do.😁

[@ferpetrucci]

I really liked this video, thank you for sharing your thoughts on these products. I will only use what you say is good. It would be good to see your recommendation on fret crowning files, with so many options out there it’s easy to buy a bad one. Thank you for sharing your knowledge Phillip!!

[@brianlyall]

Couldn't find that great deal on Micromesh papers, was $73 for that same introductory kit when I checked, so the deal you got was gone. Decided to look at the long term and go for the Quality of a $53 Stewmac Fret Polish kit after hearing your concerns about the rusty, flimsy and sharp pieces you found in the cheap kits. Very helpful Vid!

[@stealyourfacekev]

I really enjoyed this video and I think you should do some more reviews of luthier tools

[@SamlonHoldfield]

Very cool. Thanks.

[@NoUploadJustComment]

Great idea for a video. I'd love to see more in this series.

[@jimmhb1986]

Great vid. Thank you

[@Funder4]

Thx! Great and informative video!

[@wesleymorris1]

I use my soldering iron and solder sucker every day, i built a princeton reverb clone, over the weekend, it sounds amazing, i did afew changes to the circuit and added a easy bias, i love building tube amp circuits, its adddicting to find my own tone.

[@donmaclellan1479]

Love your channel... could you please do a setups toolbox for guitars? What essential tools to buy and which brands per tool? Learned so much from your videos thank you!

[@swingset1969]

I've got the solder tip cleaner - great little thing to have, comes in handy every time I do some soldering. I've also used the leveling blocks from Amazon (4-sided/multi-grit on an aluminum carrier). They work great, single or maybe 2- use items, but cheap and reliable.

[@s8nlx661]

Absolutely keep doing these tool reviews. Love stuff like this and is cool to see what's kicking around out there. Theres alot of crap out there. But from time to time theres a really good deal on something. So if not for the review of the tool or tools themselves, it's cool for a heads up that theres a great deal on something and save a few bucks. People like me who love working on guitars as much as playing them is a cool clip to check out

[@garycrouse1918]

Phil i really enjoyed this video !!!

[@johnl.donofrio2441]

Just bought the soldering iron cleaner. What a great idea.

[@SerkanBerksoy]

Best review video ever :) Thanks

[@moontheloon1969]

micro mesh is fantastic, we used it to polish the canopies on harrier jump-jets

[@zaz4667]

awesome review

[@vintagetubeamplifiers]

Use those files on the metal radius and string gauge, problem solved, LOL. Great job Phil, I've learned so much from you, thank you!

[@barrypearson644]

I watched your "Ultimate Restring Toolbox " video, I purchased my tools according to you recommendations. Most of which I bought from ebay or Stew-Mac. I like this video of yours. I have been contemplating putting together my own "on the go" tool kit. I have a soldering iron very similar to the one in that kit. If people are on a budget, they can piece together a toolkit.

[@chrisdreamlore3122]

yeah do more of these videos! very helpful. you might do a video on using some of the lesser known tools and show us how to properly use them. so the people that want to d.i.y. have a good reference. (and don't mess up a guitar to bad) lol

[@misfit2038]

I just ordered that basic tool kit before I came across this video. I read the reviews first and seemed to be about what you said, a decent place to start. I also bought a guitar neck notched straight edge as well. Held off on buying the soldering iron though but I do need one so I think I will pick up the one you showed next. Not only to do setups but I also want to replace pickups and pots as well on my Epiphone SG 400. So a useful video, you should do more like this showing tools, and possible uses.

[@garybrady9531]

Showing basic to middle of the road tools is a great ideal especially for the beginning Luther or just the guitarist who needs to make repairs on the godo more of these

[@tward3928]

Great video, more tool videos please

[@JillandKevin]

Thanks for your great videos Phil!! I DO have the cheapo needle files (Harbor Freight) in my toolbox, and they are handy for loads of things. I also have a set of cheapo (Harbor Freight) diamond needle files, which also come in handy. However, I would never use any of them on frets or fingerboards! Another thing I use a LOT is Paper Mate pink erasers, which make great sanding blocks for small areas, and even fine for sanding out whole lacquer sanding whole bodies.

[@andresj89]

Hey Phil great video! what about a review of tools for leveling and crowning frets?

[@TheBigH1975]

My in-laws got me a kit for Christmas. It was kind of a combo of the feeler gauge, under-string radius gauges, and the kit you show here in the pouch. Most of it is pretty good, but those same nasty files came with it. I don't know much, but I knew to toss those as soon as I saw them. :) Great info, Phil.

[@eddiejclayton1]

Great video! Some of the Stew Mac stuff is definitely worth the price, their string action card/ruler is 100% worth the money over alternatives.

[@Mr.Potato1962]

Hey Phillip ! For Polishing Fret I Use Stew Mac Fret Eraser ! I Got a Blue 400 Grit , Green & Yellow 4000 and 8000 Girt Thank You

[@chrisw1460]

just ordered my StewMac fret end file with your link. Thank you for knowing your gear!!!

[@martin-1965]

Nice one Phil, ordered the 15 piece Luthier kit in the UK as have most other tools and defo getting the micro mesh for fret polishing. Still too scared/inexperienced to replace frets myself (have a pro do that for me) and it's a hobby not a job for me as an old git so don't need the best Stewmac gear just the decent stuff. Main thing I have to deal with is fret sprout on mine and friends guitars and the file I've got with a variety of papers for finishing seems to do the job nicely. Anyway - great video as always.

[@MichaelStoneham]

I made my own solder iron cleaner from a salmon tin and regular silver brillo pad. I use a combination of the brillo pad cleaner and a wet sponge.

[@Grumpagamer]

Its funny to come across this video. A week ago my fiancée bought me several of these tools because she remembered me talking about having to work on my fretboard on my guitar. Its an old cheap guitar so I don’t mind learning on it. Thanks for the review. I do usually buy tools from stew mac.

[@jamessmith9479]

get the files with the green handles, they are diamond coated, 4 different grits and very useful for cleanout at the nut to neck/fingerboard. also there is a soldering station for 54 bucks with adjustable heat (250-850 deg F) on amazon, i have been using both for a year now and no problems,

[@harlequintwo]

I'm with you Phil - I switched over to the Micro Mesh for all neck work (and yes, I also go all the way up to 12K grit for those who don't think it exists) , though I agree with your complaints on how long they last! I stopped using a full sized foam block - I cut it in half before I wrap the micro mesh pad around it - I find it contours better into the gaps between frets, and I get to use more of the mesh pad as a result.

[@jim.missywyant.kennedy2334]

Such a great video. Much needed not for the bashing but for the good stuff. Even the 50/50 stuff can be salvaged with a little to extreme amount of love/hate but that's the point. It's the stuff that no amount of Shineola could help that we need to know about. You've given us a perspective that we don't have as techs to ourselves, Lol. Esp. the UL label, something I'm not 100% positive I'd remember to look for so thanks. Look at you, saving lives! Plus you put the right kind of pressure on both ends of the market, nicely done. This really was a great video, Lol.

[@marcaopozza-mendes1397]

The screwdriver in the Amazon kit has the phillips at the other end. Just push in the ring by the handle and you can withdraw the entire driver. The notches in the shaft enable you to lengthen or shorten the tool. Great video! 👍👍👍 Thanks for sharing this with everyone.

[@joequintana5546]

Yep!

[@doctorscoot]

This video is great Phil! Would love for you to do more reviews of this sort of stuff, as I'm always not sure about the cheap stuff on eBay and Amazon ...can you extend this to actual _parts_ to please? Also, I just want to shout out the "iFixit" tool kit, which I bought for computers and electronics, and its usual use-case.You get a whole bunch of screwdrivers and small sockets with a driver, some of which is useful for working on a guitar, but what I've really useful is the selection of small plastic prodders and pryers (like car interior tools, but smaller) and the three different needle-nose tweezers (one locks shut, the other two are manually closed). It's even got a set of free guitar picks! (lol, no but they are small triangular bits of plastic for wedging and offsetting parts, and they look like slightly oversized picks).

[@paulinedavis8734]

Thanks, that was a fun & useful video, as I’m just beginning to feel confident enough to try some basic guitar maintenance, ...but for serious stuff I would use a pro luthier.

[@marin4311]

very useful video.

[@tomisham9900]

Had some of these things bookmarded, happy I saw this. I will spend the money and get the StewMac tools. I have a Weller digital soldering station.