Guitar Tool Shootout!

#Guitar #StewMac #harborfreight
I’m Jeremy Sheppard! I help people find the right guitar faster.
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[@purple76seaslug]

“This video is sponsored by StewMac.” “… and the winner is… StewMac 🎉!!!!”

[@JeremySheppard]

Got em. This is my honest reaction. Realistically, there are tools in-between Harbor Freight's cheapest tools and Stew Mac. I own a good amount of husky and kobalt that are good tools. Sponsored content means partnership, they don't buy my opinion. Don't take the bait and think that everyone is a shill.

[@purple76seaslug]

fair enough@@JeremySheppard

[@joestrobe5318]

You copied and pasted this "I'm not a shill" response multiple times in the comments. This form letter type of response to people who took the time to watch and comment on your video makes you appear even less genuine and more "shilly." @@JeremySheppard

[@tr-lj2vx]

​@@JeremySheppardYou are so full of ish it isn't even funny. You intentionally went out of your way to get the cheapest,and incorrect, tools possible. The $3.99 Wire Cutters, Those are specifically for cutting electrical wire. Harbor freight has nippers that are designed to cut thicker wire than a guitar string, and they will cut through quarter inch stainless steel with little to no effort... And they cost about $8. Also, you intentionally went to Home Depot to find the cheapest Calipers you could find... The $19 harbor freight digital caliper is as accurate as anyone NOT in the aerospace industry would need, and probably more accurate that what comes from Stewmac. The harbor freight calipers are dead on with my $400 snap on calipers... They just won't survive a fall from a car on a lift... And neither will the Stewmac calipers. You're a fraud dude.

[@chrishammonds72]

Music nomads tools are great. We don’t have harbour freight in Australia but Bunnings is our big chain hardware store. Stewmac is too expensive for the shipping to Australia. I use the $5 yoga mats and cut them to size and they are great

[@aldenwilkins]

Buy once Cry once seems to hold true in anything that is not disposable/single use. (this does not apply to prophylactics) 😂

[@benfordguitars]

The neck rest is a modified Yoga block with thier name silk screened on it. You can buy a 3 pack online and cut the notches yourself.

[@eddiejr540]

I did that👍

[@rocketsurgeon4461]

I think I missed the “paid promotion” part. UPDATE- I rewatched it, good job man! I’d upsell their stuff too if they were paying me to do so. I’ll just keep using my Harbor Freight/Northern tools for my builds/repairs

[@JeremySheppard]

Got em. This is my honest reaction. Realistically, there are tools in-between Harbor Freight's cheapest tools and Stew Mac. I own a good amount of husky and kobalt that are good tools. Sponsored content means partnership, they don't buy my opinion. Don't take the bait and think that everyone is a shill.

[@Sea_Jay]

You can buy better tools at HF that are cheaper than Stewmac. And all hand tools from HF have a lifetime warranty. You just selected the absolute cheapest junk that HF sells. There is middle ground where value for the dollar exists.

[@MrDaveKC]

Exactly.

[@danpost4755]

Agreed

[@tacticalfireman9673]

That guitar neck block from Stew Mac is nothing more than a yoga block that they’ve modified!! It’s literally a yoga block.

[@eddiejr540]

I use the stew mac neck rest for my yoga workouts 😂

[@tacticalfireman9673]

@@eddiejr540😂

[@norseman61]

We ain’t similar AT ALL if you’re spending $50 on a string winder.

[@leviathan_is_me]

When you said sponsored by StewMac I had low expectations and I don't think you REALLY have this a fair shake. You had a tool from Home Depot...you can get MUCH cheaper tools from almost anywhere other than SM. $50ish for a string winder...dude. Harbor Freight/Lowes/Home Depot....Guitar Fetish, hell even Amazon. Sorry StewMac is unapologetically and unnecessarily expensive. Yes SM is FANTASTIC, so is Gibson....do I need to continue. Edit: Not meaning to bash you in anyway, nor imply your not giving your honest opinion. Given what you had, I assume it was an honest opinion. I just don't think being sponsored by the company your blind testing is a good look if you want people to believe ya. Kinda has that infomercial feeling of "well of course it is better than THAT".

[@joebob344]

If you work on guitars for a living go the Stewmac route. Just messing around with your guitars once in while Harbor Freight is it. I'm restoring an old car and I've used nothing but Harbor tools that I needed. They do the job.

[@Darltornjacket]

The quality of a product is long remembered after the price is forgotten!

[@JeremySheppard]

That's a great point.

[@MrDaveKC]

I aim for the middle ground. Harbor Freight is cheap, but most tools i need i can get good quality cheaper elsewhere. I buy from StewMac when they have very good sales, or unique tools i need and can't get elsewhere.

[@ared18t]

That micro screwdriver set from harbor freight is awesome but the driver sucks. I buy it for the bits and the flexy thing.

[@JeremySheppard]

Man. That's the truth. I just tossed the driver part but the bits are solid.

[@guitarafter40]

Best winder I have ever used is the music nomad blue grip winder. Has bearings to make it super smooth but costs a lot less. $10ish if I remember right.

[@peterrebhahn1113]

There is an advantage to the inexpensive plastic caliper tool that went unmentioned: The plastic tool won't scratch or mar finishes. This is why people who work with jewelry and wristwatches often favor the plastic versions. Accuracy? No reason they can't be as accurate as an inexpensive metal caliper. Unless you're designing the next Mars rover at NASA, they're fine.

[@tsharpton1]

Metal Digital caliper at hf is very good at around 20.00

[@JeremySheppard]

Ooooo....that's great news.

[@rzh3443]

Certain tools are made only for luthiers. That’s where StewMac fits in best, regardless of price. Lots of good diagonal cutters out there , but if you need a pin hole reamer or a nut height gauge, Stew Max is the place. HF a does advertise itself as a luthier supply store. I have SM tools but also tools from MusicNomad which are more for DIY (me) setups. Also, my personal experience with Stew Mac has been top notch . If you have questions or need advice they always seem to be available.

[@rosskrause3926]

For small wire stripping as in the 4 conductor wiring/ wires that come on Seymour Duncan pickups I got tired off instead of stripping the wires the wires breaking off so I got a Klein Tools wire stripper that stays sharp and goes down to 28 gauge..i use the 26 gauge slot and strips the fine wires perfectly with no breaking anymore.. I believe I bought them at Home Depot..Klein # 1019 wire strippers for $16.99 + tax..buy once use forever.

[@Dude_Guyman]

I bought a lot of tools at one time from Stewmac. Fret leveling stuff, files, crowning file, nut files, fret puller and snippers. All were ever so slightly better quality than a cheap $5 Chinese tool, but cost 10-15x as much. they are just cheap tools with some slight modifications, grinding of edges, etc. but are priced like premium tools from Snapon or MAC. The crowning file takes AGES to cut a crown. The nut slot files take AGES to cut plastic or bone, and are so paper thin (like a feeler gauge with teeth and a cheap robber handle slid on) they bend and bind up 80% of the time. It's just a constant battle to get them to move at all, like an old, dull wood saw hitting a knot while trying to cut crooked. WAY overpriced garbage!

[@LasciviousPsyche]

With out even watching it I knew who the winner would be just because they sponsored it lol. Those tools you bought I could use them all day long and be fine with them. I'm not saying I wouldn't buy stewmac tools, but I've used spared tools from 3 generations to luth a guitar. More knowledge you have and you could get it done with a shovel if you had to.

[@danpost4755]

I love Stew-Mac stuff, but there are a LOT of options out there that are of good quality and much cheaper. As a private music instructor, I do a lot of re-strings, set-ups, and minor repairs on my students' gear. Music Nomad has some pretty good tool kits on Amazon that I am happy with. And, I do have some HF tools in the mix as well. They work just fine. I like your channel, Jeremy. But, this video was blatantly biased and paid for. That said, I'm happy you have a deal with Stew Mac. They are good people.

[@30smsuperstrat]

Thanks for telling us you were paid by Stewmac to say harbor freight is junk😅. I've been doing lutherie work for over 30 years. I only have a few Stewmac items. Very rarely have I needed to replace any of my tools . Wire strippers, you can find higher quality than Stewmac at Lowes or Homedepot in the low voltage electrical section. Anyone with experience knows CAT cable and pickup cable are interchangeable, so fine Guage wire strippers by kinepex are readily available. Amazon has many guitar specific tools that are equal to Stewmac quality at 40% savings. Yes, there is junk, too, but remember Amazon's return and quick shipping crush Stewmac. When you have a job that needs done waiting on snail pase stewmac shipping is not an option.

[@eddiejr540]

I like the music nomad tool kit…it has the “spanner” wrench which is awwwwesome!!!!…but stew mac does make the best stuff hands down!!!

[@joewg3]

I've been building guitars for a little over 6 years now. I started off going the cheap Harbor Freight route, which worked... sort of. Most of my tools have since been replaced by StewMac or other higher-end sources. There are very few things from HF that are worth using. They typically do not work nearly as well or last 1/4 as long as the higher-end stuff. Use HF until you can afford StewMac. The time AND money you save later by investing in better tools is WELL worth the cost. Buy it nice or buy it twice.

[@allyourbasearebelongtous2191]

That screwdriver set with the extender is amazing. Use it everyday. And the price is super low for something so useful. And as long as you aren't a fucking barbarian there will be NO replacing. H.F for the win. smh.

[@tacticalfireman9673]

I was just thinking, this video is probably sponsored by Stew Mac, then he says this video is sponsored by Stew Mac.

[@Ibaneddie76]

Harbor Freight is the only store a man is ok with pushing a cart even if his wife is with him! I probably own most of the tools Stewmac has to offer, they are great tools but very expensive. If you aren't a full time builder or repair man I would just get the similar tool from one of the box stores. The only tools you shouldn't go cheap on are measuring tools, drill bits, router bits, and clamps!

[@rogertinker1813]

Hey Jeremy I use both Harbor Freight and Stewmac tools if it is a tool I need just once or need in a rush Harbor Freight is my go to . I would have created this category and given Harbor Freight a point for this, thank you

[@frostedhead]

I you're serious about getting excellent results on guitar repair or building get the StewMac stuff! excellent quality tools! don't let the price tag scare you.

[@jerryjones6215]

I use channelock wire strippers made right in my town of Meadville, Pa

My string cutters are American made Klein tools and Channellock tools. Klein 5" Diagonal Cutters for the regular electric or acoustic. Channellock 8" Diagonal Cutters for my Gibson Bass thick strings!

[@johncrace911]

So why did you not just do a Stew Mac video. Schilling and Huckster

[@tim-cook]

Next up: StewMac vs. Amazon

[@TedSchoenling]

sponsered by stew mac... all you need to know

[@nubisnotstump]

Stew mac sponsored video says it all 🤡

[@danfranks8093]

So you're here just to push Stew Mac?

[@sgblues4238]

Check out the Cuda Winder!

[@nigelsmith721]

Solder.

[@frostedhead]

I bought one of those HF wire stripper' they're excellent for stripping cloth wire anything else not so great. My go to wire strippers the Irwin Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper a little pricey but an excellent item. HR has their own version of the Irwin type wire strip for about 8 bucks.

[@acousticaddiction7719]

Stew Mac serves its purpose for sure, although I’ve never ordered from them. The only “guitar tech” tool that I haven’t found on the cheap through amazon or HF is nut files. I ended up buying a set from music nomad for around $80.

[@anthonyb2334]

Jeremy I agree with you on most of these items . However, as a do it yourself guy, Harbor freight ( and other companies) have various level of some tools available. I’ve purchased tools from Stew Mac but I’ve found other sources for some of these tools that are quality, at a less expensive tool. My opinion. Thank you

[@Forest0922]

As soon as you said sponsored by StewMac I clicked off.

[@JeremySheppard]

Why? StewMac pays for my time, not my opinion.

[@Dude_Guyman]

@@JeremySheppard I hope they paid you well for the price they charge for their slightly modified, rebadged, cheap Chinese tools.

[@deblane401]

The best string winder ever made was the one from Frank Ford at Gryphon Stings. Unfortunately they are no longer available. The Waverly one doesn't work on mandolins.

[@texhaines9957]

My Dad taught me buy the best you can afford IF you'll use it more than once. Many of my model train tools cross over. Not Harbor Frieght prices. Thanks Jeremy

[@stevezelik9535]

Yet again, great content Jeremy! Very informative for the unexperienced guitar owner. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic video have a good weekend Jeremy also I had a cold this week ❤😊🤧

[@pickersgrip]

Double patties and stewmac for the win!!

[@a1969rocker2]

Great review! I actually like the extender for guitars; particularly when you are trying to install/work on a pickup in an acoustic.

[@patrickkelly9721]

I'm 64 years old. I started playing at 10 years old. I used a string winder twirly-tool for the first time 2 weeks ago. A solution looking for a problem.