How Smart Is Your Shop?

Let’s face it: when it comes to a guitar shop, “smart tech” can sound unnecessary– maybe even over the top. Flipping a switch works just fine. Carrying the dust collector remote isn’t that big of a hassle. And honestly, a shop like yours has been running smoothly without gadgets for years.

But let’s stop and think for a second. How many times have you started sanding and realized the dust collector isn’t on? Or driven back to the shop to check on the dehumidifier? Is that a customer at the door or just the FedEx guy? These moments aren’t dealbreakers, but they add up.

That’s where smart tech comes in– not to reinvent your shop, but to take a few small frustrations out of your day. Think of it as a helping hand, letting you focus on the work that really matters: repairing and building instruments.

Why Should Luthiers Care About Smart Tech?

Luthiers and guitar repair professionals have enough to worry about without adding a pile of tech to the mix. You’re working with your hands, precision tools, and materials that demand attention. The last thing you want is a complicated system distracting you from the craft.

But what if smart tech didn’t get in the way? What if it simply handled the background tasks– keeping the air at the right humidity, automating lights, or turning machines on and off with a quick voice command? Instead of adding complexity, it frees up your focus. You stay hands-on, but the shop works a little smarter around you.

And the best part? Starting small is affordable and easy– you don’t need to overhaul your entire setup. Let’s look at a few smart upgrades that might surprise you with how practical they are.

Three Simple Smart Upgrades to Try

If you’re skeptical, test the waters with one or two devices. These upgrades won’t disrupt your workflow, but they might just make your day a little easier.

1. Smart Plugs

Dust collectors and air filters are great candidates for smart plugs. Right now, you probably walk over to the machine or use a remote that only works if you’re in line of sight. A smart plug changes that.

Imagine you’re thicknessing your back and sides. Halfway through, you notice a buildup of fine dust and you realize the dust collector isn’t on. Instead of stopping what you’re doing, you shout, “Alexa, turn on the dust collector,” and keep going without losing your rhythm.

Want to get fancier? You can program your plugs to run on a schedule or shut off automatically after a set time. If you’re into automation and you want to get really techy, you could even set it up to turn on when your sander starts drawing power.

2. Smart Lights or Switches

Good lighting is critical when you’re working on fine details. Smart lights or switches make it easier to control your setup without breaking your flow. Especially with finish work, it can help to turn down the lights behind you and work with a single source. Now you can do that without putting down the guitar.

Let’s say you walk into the shop carrying a guitar body and some supplies. Instead of fumbling for the light switch, a motion sensor turns on the overhead lights. Need to dim them for detailed work? You can adjust them without leaving your station.

If you’re comfortable with a bit of wiring, smart light switches are another great solution. By using switches, you can convert your overhead shop-lights into smart lights.

3. Humidity and Temperature Sensors

As a luthier, you know how critical it is to keep the shop’s environment stable. Wood doesn’t forgive wild swings in humidity. A smart sensor lets you monitor conditions in real-time and sends alerts if something’s off.

Pair one with a smart plug and some techy software, and you can automate humidifiers or dehumidifiers. The moment humidity goes out of range, the system adjusts automatically– saving you time and stress, while protecting your materials.

For the Tech-Savvy: Advanced Automation with Home Assistant

If you enjoy experimenting with technology– or just want to take automation to the next level– check out Home Assistant. It’s a free, open-source platform that ties all your smart devices together. Here’s what it could do in your shop:

• Automatically start the dust collector when it detects your bandsaw or sander drawing power.
• Blink the lights to alert you when someone’s at the door– even before they press the doorbell.
• Give you a controllable dashboard of shop conditions– humidity, temperature, tool usage– all from your phone or computer.

Home Assistant can run on a spare computer or a small device like a Raspberry Pi. It’s a bit of a learning curve, but if you’re comfortable with tech, it opens up endless possibilities for customizing your shop. They also sell pre-built hardware that you can just plug into your router.

Common Concerns About Smart Tech

Still on the fence? Let’s tackle a few common worries:

• “I don’t want to deal with complicated setups.” Most smart devices are plug-and-play these days, requiring no more effort than downloading an app. You can start with a single smart plug or bulb and expand only if you feel like it.
• “I work fine without tech—I don’t need it.” You’re absolutely right. None of this is essential. But smart tech isn’t about replacing the skills or tools you’ve relied on for years—it’s about removing a few tiny annoyances so you can focus more on the work you enjoy.

What Brands Should You Look At?

Ready to dip your toes into smart tech? Here are some solid options to get started:

• Smart Plugs: TP-Link Kasa/Tapo plugs are reliable, easy to use, and compatible with most smart systems.
• Smart Bulbs: Philips Hue offers the best experience but can be pricey. For a cheaper option, try Wi-Fi bulbs on the Tuya platform– there are dozens of off-brands that use Tuya.
• Humidity/Temperature Sensors: Govee sells good name-brand sensors. But they’re not much different than generic Tuya sensors– if you’re comfortable with AliExpress and a bit of potential troubleshooting.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Smart Tech?

Smart tech is evolving fast. In the future, we’ll probably see tools that integrate directly with automation systems– imagine a workbench that tracks environmental data or a spray booth that detects VOCs and controls the extractor fan. As these technologies become more powerful, they’ll open up even more possibilities for streamlining the way you work. Big manufacturers have been replacing labor with technology for decades. And technology has gotten to the point where we can begin to do it in our own shops.

So, Is It Worth It?

Here’s the bottom line: you don’t need smart tech to run a great shop. But it can make your day a little easier. Whether it’s automating lights, controlling your dust collector with a voice command, or keeping humidity in check, these small upgrades help you stay focused on your craft.

Start small. Try a smart plug or a sensor and see how it fits into your routine. If it doesn’t work for you, no harm done. But if it does, you might find yourself wondering how you ever got along without it.

Smart tech isn’t about replacing the manual skills that make your shop great. It’s about clearing away distractions so you can focus on what you do best: building and repairing beautiful instruments.

What do you think? Have you tried any smart tech in your shop? Or are you skeptical it has a place in a luthier’s workspace? Let’s start a conversation—I’d love to hear how you’re adapting (or not!) as these tools become more accessible.

As always, if you have any questions, reach out on Instagram (@tedbergstrand) and I’ll do my best to help you out!