Any advice for drilling holes?

[Graffiti62]

Hi guys!

Been a VERY long time since I was last on here. Much has changed, and finally doing my Strat build, after a number of years of "I'll get to it someday." I'll have pictures soon enough for you guys to see.

Here's my question for everyone:

I'm at the step where I need to drill holes into the body for pickguard screws and the output jack plate, and I'm unsure of how to proceed. The screws for the tuners were easy enough, but the body is a whole new can of worms. Any suggestions on how to get the position of everything right?

Thanks!

 

[Strat Avenger]

Drilling pickguard and output jack screw holes is easy. Just drill pilot holes about 2 sizes smaller than the screw diameter.
Set the pickguard on there nice & straight (with the bridge installed). Line up the neck pocket cutout with the edges of the neck pocket, and mark each hole with a sharp pencil or Sharpie ink marker.
Same with output jack plate. Make sure the jack is installed in the plate first for proper alignment.
put a piece of tape on the drill bit so that you don't drill too deep.

 

[stratamania]

Use sharp, good quality bits.

Here are a couple of links from one of my build threads. If you click on the extracts, you will be able to see more details.

You will also find various other builds etc linked in the Welcome to the Forum thread linked in my signature.

Output jack

Post in thread 'The Mystical Mahogany Build...'

Aug 22, 2021

A bit more body fitting today...

Using some masking tape to mark where I want the jack plate mounting screws to go. Before drilling the holes I plugged into an amp to do a tap test again to ensure all was working in that position. As all was good I then was able to drill the holes.

BF (1) by stratamania, on Flickr

After drilling the initial holes through the masking tape with a 1.5mm bit I was able to remove the tape.

I then widen the top of the hole to 2mm but only about 3mm deep.

Note also the...

• stratamania

Pickguard.

Post in thread 'The Mystical Mahogany Build...'

Aug 22, 2021

I then need to enlist the help of the neck and the tremolo unit so I can ensure the pickguard is correctly lined up and in position. I use masking tape to keep it where it needs to be.

I then drill the pilot holes of 1.5mm with the pickguard in place. I remove the pickguard and then use a 2mm bit to widen the holes to a depth of about 3mm and countersink them to avoid finish pops.

BF (5) by stratamania, on Flickr

The pickguard is flush all the way around with the neck pocket...

• stratamania

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[Strat Avenger]

I forgot to mention the masking tape to hold the pickguard in place while marking the holes.

 

[Rick]

Look at the Aaron's youtube video when he made the double neck. Get everything lined up, with a loaded pickguard, stings go where I want over the pole pieces etc., put a piece of tape where the hole will go, tape up the pick guard again, line up again, get a sharp pointy thing to get the hole marked, then a new drill bit, and have at it. Never a problem. when done remove tape. Bon chance! Don't worry no one will die.

 

[ruscio]

All good advice on here already. I like to seat the neck, align the pickguard with that and the bridge, secure it firmly with painter's tape, and drill in the center of each hole (with tape around the bit to mark how deep to go). Then blow the sawdust out of the way, screw it down, and remove tape.

 

[Hodgo]

I do think if you have a punch for marking the pilot hole you’ll get it done a little cleaner, but in a pinch you can just drill directly with a 1/16” bit and it works fine. The tape flag on the bit to measure depth is a good idea; you’ve already successfully done the tuner holes so this should be a breeze.