Tools

Tools & Parts

Fixing your instrument requires tools and supplies. This list has been carefully curated to your level of experience, to keep you safe, and to ensure you

spend more time teaching or playing than repairing.

Good News!

You Already Have Lots.

The majority of the tools listed here are already at your school or in your garage. They're sitting in the wood or metal shop, perhaps in auto repair or your janator's closet. Go find them, make connections with those who have them and save big.

That being said, there are specialty tools on this list you'll want to acquire for yourself in order to do repairs at a higher level. On the lists you'll notice both the needed and expanded lists. Add what you feel is best for you.

What Class Are You Taking?

Find Your Class, Download Your List

You don't have to buy everything right now.

Look at what you have, add only the essentials and then,

as your skills and confidence grow, add more to your toolbox.

Instrument Specific Courses

FLUTE SPECIFIC COURSE

Specialized tooling is needed to properly install and balance flute pads and remove nock pins and this list has what you need to be effective.

Watch the video, download the list and get what you need.

You can always push the "easy" button when ordering your course and buy a complete tool kit.

Flute Course Tools

CLARINET SPECIFIC COURSE

Balancing pads and replacing tenon corks is, frankly, easy and this list has everything you need to get the job done, as well as what's needed for crack repair, tone hole resurfacing and more.

Watch the video, download the list and get what you need.

You can always push the "easy" button when ordering your course and buy a complete tool kit.

Clarinet Course Tools

SAXOPHONE SPECIFIC COURSE

Specialized tooling is needed for several operations of sax work and this list has what you need to be effective.

Watch the video, download the list and get what you need.

You can always push the "easy" button when ordering your course and buy a complete tool kit.

Saxophone Course Tools

PISTON SPECIFIC COURSE

Brass work tooling can get expensive if you're tooling up to fix every brand and model of instrument out there... so don't. Order only what you'll need when you need it.

Watch the video to understand more, download the list and get what you need.

You can always push the "easy" button when ordering your course and buy a complete tool kit.

Coming Soon

ROTOR SPECIFIC COURSE

Every rotor is different, but they all need the same basic tools, so this list gets you busy fixing things fast.

Watch the video, download the list and get what you need.

You can always push the "easy" button when ordering your course and buy a complete tool kit.

Coming Soon

Band & Orchestra Courses

Watch the Video, Download Your List

LEVEL 3 PREP TECH

BAND COURSE

With so many instruments to cover in this course, the list of tools is a bit more extensive, and you'll never regret having any of them at your disposal. Carefully curated, this list gives you the essentials to keep you safe, get the job done right and fast so you can get back to playing or teaching.

Watch the video, download the list and get what you need.

You can always push the "easy" button when ordering your course and buy a complete tool kit.

Band Course

LEVEL 3 PREP TECH

ORCHESTRA COURSE

Regardless of instrument, orchestra tools are, for the most part, the same. Exceptions are soundpost tools and peg reamers. Carefully curated, this list gives you the essentials to keep you safe, get the job done right and fast so you can get back to playing or teaching.

Watch the video, download the list and get what you need.

You can always push the "easy" button when ordering your course and buy a complete tool kit.

Orchestra Course

YOU'LL ALSO NEED

A Heat Source that's allowed where you work.

Melting glue for pad adjustments, wax into cork, heat shrink and even soldering, a heat source is essential. If you're in a school, your building may not allow you to have combustible gas so, this air torch is my #1 suggestion for any shop. These are available online from many retailers.

Frequently Asked Question

The options, price ranges, and applications of tools can be confusing.

Here are some common questions.

Cheap tools good enough?

Every repair tech in the world has asked this and the answer is: it depends. I've curated this list to include tools (complete with model numbers) and where to get them. Many of the options are budget-friendly but still qualify to be on my bench. I feel cheaper options will affect quality, safety or ease of use. For instance, cheap screw drivers... you'll hate them. Get yourself 2 good drivers right now and you'll never regret it. Pliers are the same; you could buy flat nose from Harbor Freight and they'll get one or two repairs done for you but soon you'll regret having them... in my opinion.

Tools at my school...?

You BET! There is a wealth of tools in your building and I encourage you to build relationships with the staff over those areas like wood or metal shop, auto repair, etc. Those people have developed skills you may be able to utilize and many of the tools are already there. Go use them before buying your own.

How quickly will I get the tools if I order them from you?

I've had to modify the answer to this lately due to the changes in shipping and product availability. I attempt to keep several sets of tools in stock but, at certain times of the year, those tools are not available because of the increased demand for tools. So, generally, domestic orders will arrive within 7 days. International orders...have become a lot more tricky. Reach out to me directly for specific timing issues.

Do I have enough?

No. I've been doing this for over 25 years and I'm still buying new tools. As you get into it you'll find you may want more as well but let's keep it simple and start with the basics suggested and add from there.

Are tools required for class?

Yes. You will gain some information if you participate in any of my classes even without tools, BUT you'll get a LOT more out of this if you're working along side me. You'll build confidence, find questions you would never have discovered otherwise, and let's face it, it's just more fun. Don't be bored, get some tools and let's fix some things together!

Can I get a list of tools?

You bet! Above on this page are buttons to download just that.

May I barrow tools?

Sure. Not from me, but if you can find someone to barrow tools from during class, then go for it.

Of course, shortly after class, you'll know how to fix your instrument that just broke, but you won't be able to because you gave those tools back...

Just get some tools. You won't regret it.

If you'd like to purchase your tools directly from me, making it easier for you, then I'm happy to supply the tools for you and I have tool kits ready for you. When you purchase a course from me, there is a bouncing arrow over a box for you to check if you'd like to tool kit. If you need specific tools, just write to me and I'll work up an order for you to pay securely online.

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