OK, I keep getting more serious about building and have found the old adage about having the right tools a curse and a blessing. I do plan to make more than one or two basses a year as my full-time vocation winds down. So, I've started stocking up. I sold a guitar to fund some of these things and I know they'll get lots of use.
So, I made my own pearl cutting jig and cut my first thumbnail fretboard inlay with an SM inlay/jeweler's saw. This is tedious work, but it's fun to see the finished inlay.
Next, I pretty much want binding on everything, so I finally caved and bought the SM binding machine. It is the berries!
I love using it and cutting the edges of tops and doing channels is a breeze. I have two hand held units, that really only work well on flat tops and even then, you need a steady hand!!!
I've got a neck tenon/heel jig coming soon too. If my engineering buddy ever finishes my duplicator router, I'll post some pictures! :?