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
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Fret and nut files that may not be good for either
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My Favorite Fret End File
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools...
V&H Soldering iron tip cleaner wire-typ
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Melissa's Sharpen My Axe video
• The Ultimate Squier Up...
15 Pieces Guitar Luthier Tools Set
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The D Addario Kit I Love!
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Soldering Iron Kit Electronics, Rarlight 60W Adjustable
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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
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Dava Picks
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I use D Addario American Series Cables
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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

[@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 🤘🏽

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 !

[@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!!!!

[@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.

[@otherGuise]

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

[@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!

[@benpowersguitar]

Very helpful. Great as always.

[@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!

[@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+😊

[@GuitarMooseMusic]

I’m on a really tight budget d/t being disabled and on disability. I have to do most all of my own guitar repairs, I don’t have much choice. I watch you do what I need to if I don’t already know how then I do it. I like the idea of a complete tool kit, I have tools already that you showed in this video. Last Christmas was a guitar kinda Christmas lol

[@JDStone20]

I am in the same boat.

[@petebrown3715]

Thank you for this post. It makes sense.

[@Rockies007]

Super useful info!

[@alwaysrockn2009]

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

[@speedinbob]

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

[@mylemonblue3070]

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

[@Neonb1bLes]

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

[@rogerrussian9750]

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

[@avh9394]

Love this kinda stuff, thanks Phil!

[@edwardkennedy5500]

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

[@TrebleJC]

Thank you for this video!

[@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.

[@johns1159]

Phil, thanks again for your professional advice!

[@colakeith1]

Thanks! This was enlightening...

[@loscrimefighter1899]

Quality tools, whether it be Stew Mac or any other, are always a better deal in the long run. "You get what you pay for" truly applies to tools of any kind. That being said, Stew Macs shipping charges are absolutely criminal.

[@MrParkerfly1]

I’ve been an aircraft tech at a major airline for 35 years. We use micro mesh kits to polish very fine scratches out of aircraft windows. That stuff works great. Never thought to use it on frets. Thanks for the tip.

[@DaVinci0963]

Thanks for doing what you do.

[@jonbellmusic5269]

awesome! Thank You Phil, for everything

[@harryklippton]

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

[@Funder4]

Thx! Great and informative video!

[@mikeivey8471]

Please do more tool reviews like this . Very informative !

[@Chemist1076]

Good sensible advice. Thanks

[@davidelizalde3844]

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

[@SamlonHoldfield]

Very cool. Thanks.

[@guitarshapedpizza]

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

[@REBELSCL]

Great idea I like this type of review.

[@tresblack4739]

Excellent video, very helpful! Do more!

[@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).

[@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.

[@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.

[@jimmhb1986]

Great vid. Thank you

[@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. 👍🏽

[@michaelmace924]

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

[@vansongs]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@FarrellMcGovern]

I bought a different soldering kit with the exact same soldering iron, and the iron itself sucks. I used it for about a week...it wouldn't heat up at low temperature settings, and then rapidly heated at the higher, then you had to turn it down or burn the tip! Not recommended!!! But all of the other accessories were probably worth it for me, as it came with a bunch of dentist picks, a nice tube of OK solder, that i can reuse the tube when I used up the solder in it. In addition to it, I picked up a flux pen, which makes life so much easier for doing soldering, just rub the pen on the part you want to solder, tin them, and away you go! I also recommend the "copper brillo" pad style solder tip cleaner. Much better than the wet sponge ones of the days of yore.

[@Reverend_Taco]

When I bought the kit I cooked the tip on the first time I used it. Giant swiss cheese hole. Garbage.

[@robertnewell5057]

Thank you, Phillip - always informative and considered. Couple of things. First, Stewmac is very high-priced if you live outside the US because of their postal charges, but if you want the specialist stuff, there is, in my opinion, no alternative. For example, their nut slot files will last a very long time, if treated with respect. The Amazon alternatives are poor and the alternative approach of using welding tip cleaners (sold on Amazon and ebay as nut slot files) is a joke. There are ways you can save money thru Amazon and ebay, though. For example I would never pay for a fret end dress file or similar from Stewmac because a top quality 3 corner file comes in much cheaper and you just make a safe edge on it and you're done. Plenty of other generic tools sold by SM as specialist come in the same category. Similarly, I would never use fret protectors - you get just as good results with masking tape and care, and there are loads of tools you can make yourself if you have the ability to make a guitar (e.g. fretwire benders, spool clamps, bridge clamps (including that cute one the fits thru the bridge pin holes) radius sanding blocks, etc). Finally, I've used micromesh for years, and it is unbeatable but users should be aware that in the lower grits (e.g.1500) the grit is not equivalent to abrasive paper US or UK standards. There's a comparison chart at www.sisweb.com/micromesh/conversion.htm. - 1500 comes in at about 400 US standard. The real secret with micromesh is that the abrasive action is cutting rather than rubbing, so you get a much finer, more consistent scratch pattern, and this holds true even in the lower grits, so even though 1500 mm has the same grit count as 400 US there is no comparison between the quality of the results.

[@MrRonk55]

For someone on a low budget, such as myself, I've found that the four-sided nail polishing foam block you can get at the supermarket or pharmacy is a cheap alternative to a Micro Mesh set. It does a decent job of getting scratches out of frets and won't harm the fretboard, and doubles as a string riser if you need to spot level a single fret. They run less than two bucks apiece. I save my Stew Mac polishing set for the finishing touch.

[@zaz4667]

awesome review

[@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.

[@MultiRDSD]

What brilliantly infectious enthusiasm!

[@frankiec2765]

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

[@johnlibby9355]

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

[@thecolorhero1078]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@driveandsurvive]

Thanks Phil, Another "A" video - A for Awesome. I'd like to see more alternative tools to Stu Mac or Crimson Guitar, ect. Not because I don;t like their gear (I do), it's just because the budget is a greater important to a hobby Luther - I won't make back the dollars spent on top quality tools. In all honesty I wish Stu Mac and others would produce a budget line.

[@SerkanBerksoy]

Best review video ever :) Thanks

[@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

[@gravediggerdale4633]

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

[@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

[@onesandzeros]

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

[@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.😁

[@NoUploadJustComment]

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

[@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!

[@marin4311]

very useful video.

[@tedrowland7800]

I would love to show tools that I have bought on Amazon, that work. I do not usually buy them in kits, with the exception of a soldering iron kit, (without multimeter), and a double set of under string gauges. I have some pliers that are as much as $26.00, (optional), used to remove screws that the slots are ruined, and some cutters that are inexpensive that I wouldn't do without. Notched straight edges that are thick and nice to use. There are tools from Stew Mac that just can't be duplicated. If you want professional results, you need professional 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.

[@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!!

I prefer the copper tip cleaner to a sponge.

[@retrotd]

I work in the electronic manufacturing sector. We use the brass brillo all the time.

[@bbmade]

I agree. Took a long time for me to even think to get one and once I did, the sponge was never seen again.

[@Supperconductor]

I too prefer the copper. As a hack I'll use a wetted and folded paper towel when I don't have the copper or sponge.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

The sponge is bad for the heating element. Yes, it was used for years, but the copper or brass pads are superior and last forever

[@duroxkilo]

different purposes though.. for the regular user the 'brass wire sponge' is great.. one can even throw in a small amount of flux in the center and stick the tip in there when you want a nice tinning. BUT depending on what you're working on, the 'metal sponge' doesn't decontaminate a tip as the moist sponge does, especially fine soldering tips... i also read in the comments that the sponge is bad for the heating element. that is an incorrect assumption. the soldering tips are protected by a fine layer of a stronger than copper metal. when the tip is cooled in a fast manner by touching a wet sponge, it contracts and over time fractures develop... in the long run the hardened coating will come off and the tip will wear out quite fast after that. a good practice is to have the sponge moist but not soaking wet. stay safe everyone, have fun when possible

[@bbmade]

That Stew Mac fret end dressing file is one of my favorite tools ever. I have yet to find a better file for that purpose. Watch out for the inexpensive under string radius gauges on Amazon. The ones I bought were stamped, not cut out, not at all accurate...basically junk. They were are also too tall to easily fit under the strings. Stew Mac’s are much better. Keep in mind also, lots of people rip off Stew Mac designs and make them over seas.

[@bbmade]

The cheap string action gauges on Amazon are junk. Not accurate at all.

[@joker71172]

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

[@venubhalla2825]

The lighting looks great, Phil

[@stealyourfacekev]

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

[@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!

[@johnl.donofrio2441]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@tipper9120]

Thanks Phil. You're a good man

[@mborel]

Can you compare the Music Nomad tool kit to the Stew Mac tool kit?

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Yes, I'd love to see that. I was searching for that exact-comparison on The Gear Page - today !!!

[@risksrewardsrelics51]

I have the Music Nomad Cradle Cube/Work Mat combo. The work mat is just a glorified yoga mat, but the cradle cube is awesome.

[@flimbonimbo7259]

@@risksrewardsrelics51 Well, pretty much any work mat you get would just be a version of a glorified yoga mat. It's a mat. It's only purpose is to serve as a soft place to lay your guitar while working on it.

[@garycrouse1918]

Phil i really enjoyed this video !!!

[@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

[@davethepius]

I actually bought one of those solder kits because I was having trouble finding a decent 60 watt soldering iron at the hardware stores. I've been quite impressed.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Same. Mine came in a box with other related accessories and I have done everything from amp repairs to soldering pickup covers on with mine and it does fine. Used it for prolonged amounts of time also and never had any problems. Having a digital one is nice if you do it as a job but for DIY repair this one is fine.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@Justafeller]

I'm by no means rich and I know not everyone has the money to buy good quality tools, equipment and such. I just feel when it comes to anything guitar related I'm not taking any unnecessary shortcuts. It's worth saving up and getting something well made for longevity. I'm no professional luthier. Just my thoughts.

[@tward3928]

Great video, more tool videos please

[@leviathan_is_me]

Those fret files are GREAT. They did exactly what I wanted them to do. They didn't rip the garbage bag ONCE! Nothing leaks out of the garbage because they came in a pouch, which protected not only the garbage bag but also the can itself. What more can you ask for?

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

The better version of a lot of these are on ebay and for a little cheaper. The honer fret end file (Japanese made) was 12 bucks free ship. Basically same quality as stewmac, but 4 bucks cheaper and free ship whereas SM charges $10 for just about any shipping under $50.purchaes. Phil, wouldn't be a bad idea to test nut files from other manufacturers. The stew Mac ones are outrageously priced and a lot of people would love to see alternatives

[@brioncommon5701]

You are correct. No one ever complains about top shelve.

[@MuseMagnet]

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

[@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.

[@flip2863]

I bought that soldering kit about a year ago, I've used it to completely rewire several guitars. Obviously it isn't the highest quality but it worked just fine.