Building Musical Instruments

Making an instrument

Woods

What are the chances that woods can cause an allergic reaction to me?
What woods should I use for my instrument?
I'm getting ready to build my first instrument and I don't want to ruin an expensive piece of wood. Can I use MDF (medium density fiberboard)?
I'm getting ready to build my first instrument, and I have access to some timber locally. I don't want to ruin an expensive piece of wood on my first instrument. Can I use cheap wood?
My local hardware store has lots of cheap pine/spruce/fir. Can I build my acoustic guitar entirely from these woods?
What is "quartersawn" wood?
Do I have to use quartersawn wood for the back and sides of my acoustic guitar?
The back/soundboard wood I just bought for my acoustic guitar has cupped. Can I still use it?
Should I use flatsawn or quartersawn wood for my guitar neck?
I don't have any quartersawn spruce for bracing my acoustic guitar soundboard, but I have plenty of other scrap wood on hand. Can I use it as soundboard bracing?
I bought wood from a lumberyard/hardwood yard, and the instrument I made from it appears to be cracking. What did I do wrong?

I've read about steam bending, and it sounds like it would be easier to build a steam box than build and learn to use any kind of bender. Can I steam bend the sides?

Tools needed
What are the minimum essential tools to build a instrument?
Does it take a fully-equipped woodworking shop to build stringed instruments? I don't have that much money to spend on expensive power tools.
I'm putting together my first real shop and am planning on a dust collection system. Do I have to ground it?
Can I use a hand-held power planer for flattening or jointing plates?
I can't afford a drill press. Are those portable drill guides any good?
I need a bandsaw but can't afford a 14" model. Can you recommend a good bandsaw that's smaller and cheaper?