DIY String Winder for Acoustic Guitars: A Quick & Easy Guide

Updated at: 06/06/2025

Changing strings on your acoustic guitar can be a frustrating experience, often involving fumbling with awkward tuners and the risk of damaging your instrument. The process is made significantly easier with a simple, yet effective, string winder. While commercially available winders are readily accessible, building your own is a surprisingly quick and inexpensive alternative, allowing for a customized tool perfectly suited to your needs. This empowers you to tackle string changes with confidence and efficiency, reducing the overall time and effort involved.

This DIY project requires only a few readily available materials and basic tools, making it perfect for guitarists of all skill levels. Forget struggling with tangled strings – this guide will walk you through each step of building your own custom string winder, from gathering the necessary supplies to the final assembly. Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions and get you winding strings like a pro in no time!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Scrap piece of 3/4 inch thick wood
  • Number 8 by 32 screw (approx. ¾ inches long)
  • Pencil
  • Saw with fine blade (pull saw or hacksaw)
  • Chisel (¼ inch wide) or thin file
  • Clamp
  • Piece file or rasp
  • Sandpaper
  • Measuring device or ruler
  • Wood glue
  • Drill
  • 3/32 drill bit
  • 3/16 inch drill bit
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use appropriate-sized string winding pegs for your guitar's tuning posts to avoid damaging them. Using the wrong size can strip the posts or cause the strings to slip.
  • Be gentle when winding strings; excessive force can break them or damage your guitar's tuning mechanism. Wind evenly and avoid sudden jerking motions.
  • If you're unsure about any aspect of the process, consult a professional guitar technician or luthier. Improper string winding can affect your guitar's tuning stability and even cause damage.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Base

    • Cut a piece of wood 2.5 inches long and 1 inch wide.
    • Measure the string post width and length on your guitar (or the largest guitar if you have multiple).
    • Mark the measurements onto the wood piece, creating a recess for the string post.
    • Cut out the marked shape using a saw and clamp.
    Cut out the marked shape using a saw and clamp.Cut out the marked shape using a saw and clamp.Cut out the marked shape using a saw and clamp.Cut out the marked shape using a saw and clamp.
    Prepare the Base

  2. Create the String Post Recess

    • Create a channel in the wood piece using a saw, file, or chisel, matching the width of your guitar's string post.
    Create a channel in the wood piece using a saw, file, or chisel, matching the width of your guitar's string post.
    Create the String Post Recess

  3. Reinforce the Ends

    • Cut two small pieces of thin wood to reinforce the ends.
    • Glue and clamp the small wood pieces onto the ends of the main piece to prevent slippage.
    Glue and clamp the small wood pieces onto the ends of the main piece to prevent slippage.Glue and clamp the small wood pieces onto the ends of the main piece to prevent slippage.
    Reinforce the Ends

  4. Create and Attach the Handle

    • Cut a 3/4 inch piece from a 3/4 inch square piece of wood for the handle.
    • Drill a pilot hole in the handle piece using a 3/32 drill bit, then drill a larger hole (3/16 inch) in the main body of the winder.
    • Thread the screw partially into the handle, then insert the handle into the main body and tighten the screw to secure.
    Thread the screw partially into the handle, then insert the handle into the main body and tighten the screw to secure.Thread the screw partially into the handle, then insert the handle into the main body and tighten the screw to secure.Thread the screw partially into the handle, then insert the handle into the main body and tighten the screw to secure.
    Create and Attach the Handle

  5. Finishing Touches

    • Sand down all surfaces and edges for a smooth finish.
    Sand down all surfaces and edges for a smooth finish.
    Finishing Touches

Read more: Fast & Easy Guitar Stringing: The Winder Method

Tips

  • Use a pull saw or hacksaw if you don't have a fine blade saw.
  • If you don't have a chisel, a thin file will work for creating the channel.
  • Any type of clamp will work, you don't need parallel clamps.
  • Make sure the screw in the handle is tight enough to prevent wobbling but loose enough to allow for turning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Too Much or Too Little String

Reason: Incorrect string tension can lead to inaccurate winding or breakage.
Solution: Measure the required string length precisely and use a consistent winding tension.

2. Improper Peg Alignment

Reason: Misaligned pegs result in uneven winding, hindering smooth tuning and potentially damaging the pegs.
Solution: Ensure the pegs are aligned correctly before starting to wind.

3. Ignoring the Winding Direction

Reason: Winding in the wrong direction makes it harder to tune and can loosen the strings.
Solution: Follow the winding direction specified by the guitar manufacturer (usually clockwise).

FAQs

What materials do I need to make a DIY string winder?
The specific materials depend on your chosen design, but common options include a sturdy handle (e.g., a dowel, a sturdy pen), a small nut or bolt, and washers. You might also need super glue or epoxy, and potentially sandpaper for smoothing any rough edges.