Drill for Body and Neck - Suggestions?

[FredStarter]

My assumption was that if I get a Warmoth body and neck they make sure they fit together, and the neck holes would already be drilled. If that is incorrect, I might have to rethink things.

Your assumption is correct:  Warmoth necks and bodies are pre-drilled for the neck mounting screws.  For all other drilling needs, the craftsman will be just fine.

Thanks, minimizing drilling as a first step seems to be a good idea to me. That is why I am thinking of instead of Schaller tuners, going with Hipshot and using the no-drill option.

 

[TBurst Std]

My assumption was that if I get a Warmoth body and neck they make sure they fit together, and the neck holes would already be drilled. If that is incorrect, I might have to rethink things.

Your assumption is correct:  Warmoth necks and bodies are pre-drilled for the neck mounting screws.  For all other drilling needs, the craftsman will be just fine.

Thanks, minimizing drilling as a first step seems to be a good idea to me. That is why I am thinking of instead of Schaller tuners, going with Hipshot and using the no-drill option.

Those Hipshot’s with the plate are awesome tuners.  I like the open gear locking version.

 

[FredStarter]

One more question on the drill bits: I am looking for new bits so they will not be worn out. Home Depot seems to have crap. Any suggestions on where to get good quality drill bits in 3/8 drill size which work well on guitar bodies? I don't mind buying a set if need be. Otherwise I have read that 1/16 seems to be a common size bit for drilling pickguard holes. Not sure what size bit for the stap button and output jack holes. Sorry again for asking a lot of basic questions. I have spent a good deal of time reading through old threads here but haven't found this specific information yet.

 

[FredStarter]

My assumption was that if I get a Warmoth body and neck they make sure they fit together, and the neck holes would already be drilled. If that is incorrect, I might have to rethink things.

Your assumption is correct:  Warmoth necks and bodies are pre-drilled for the neck mounting screws.  For all other drilling needs, the craftsman will be just fine.

Thanks, minimizing drilling as a first step seems to be a good idea to me. That is why I am thinking of instead of Schaller tuners, going with Hipshot and using the no-drill option.

Those Hipshot’s with the plate are awesome tuners.  I like the open gear locking version.

I wish they were from the USA, Canada or Europe, but oh well, they do look good and any opportunity to avoid drilling at this point seems desireable.

 

[stratamania]

Hipshot are a US brand...

 

[FredStarter]

Hipshot are a US brand...

True, but on their webpage for the tuners it says "Made in Korea". I think probably it depends on the item. I prefer non China/Asia, but hey sometime you just can't avoid it.

 

[stratamania]

Hipshot are a US brand...

True, but on their webpage for the tuners it says "Made in Korea". I think probably it depends on the item. I prefer non China/Asia, but hey sometime you just can't avoid it.

Ah okay. Perhaps the last time I bought them they were still USA. Almost impossible to source everything without going somewhat global.

 

[FredStarter]

Hipshot are a US brand...

True, but on their webpage for the tuners it says "Made in Korea". I think probably it depends on the item. I prefer non China/Asia, but hey sometime you just can't avoid it.

Ah okay. Perhaps the last time I bought them they were still USA. Almost impossible to source everything without going somewhat global.

Agreed, I have one hard rule though, which many people seem to get greatly offended by, that is NO Amazon.com.

 

[mayfly]

Agreed, I have one hard rule though, which many people seem to get greatly offended by, that is NO Amazon.com.

:headbang:

 

[wildbill]

You asked about Drill bits:

Fisch Tools

another good source for all kinds of bits is McMaster-Carr

 

[FredStarter]

You asked about Drill bits:

Fisch Tools

another good source for all kinds of bits is McMaster-Carr

Thank you! I will check out both. I appreciate the suggestions.

 

[FredStarter]

You asked about Drill bits:

Fisch Tools

another good source for all kinds of bits is McMaster-Carr

So I am looking at Frisch (looks like really nice bits), an on McMaster-Carr. Geez, are there enough different types of bits to choose from? And, I am thinking for strap buttons, pickguard, tuners, etc. (meaning the normal body finishing and electronics screws), I need as small as 1/16, and probably no larger than 1/4? If so, I can't seem to find any set that has 1/16 bits. Also, the different types of bits, like Forstner, etc. Is there no place where you can find either a set, or recommended bits needed for this type of work? Anyway, thanks for the suggestions.

 

[TBurst Std]

There is no drilling you have referenced that’s requires or would benefit of Forster bits

 

[FredStarter]

There is no drilling you have referenced that’s requires or would benefit of Forster bits

Thanks, good to know. Looks like Stewmac might have a Frisch set that will work.

 

[wildbill]

The Fisch bits are the Ferrari of bits. If you are not doing this a lot, Dewalt brad points are good for a few holes when they are new.  You can buy singles at the big boxes and they have them up the scale by 32nds from 1/16th most places around here. McMaster - Carr is a bit overwhelming in their selection. LOL , Sorry

 

[FredStarter]

The Fisch bits are the Ferrari of bits. If you are not doing this a lot, Dewalt brad points are good for a few holes when they are new.  You can buy singles at the big boxes and they have them up the scale by 32nds from 1/16th most places around here. McMaster - Carr is a bit overwhelming in their selection. LOL , Sorry

Thanks, the set of Frisch at Stewmac is about $38 and looks good. My hope is to do this long term if I don't mess up in the beginning. So, investing in better is OK with me.

 

[SeattleScotty]

Thanks, minimizing drilling as a first step seems to be a good idea to me. That is why I am thinking of instead of Schaller tuners, going with Hipshot and using the no-drill option.

Those Hipshot’s with the plate are awesome tuners.  I like the open gear locking version.

I bought the Hipshot locking tuners, though I am going to actually screw them in so that less of the beautiful walnut is covered by the tuners!  :laughing3: I won't ever need to replace them so that's not really a concern. They seem like really nice tuners, they look great  in Nickle and feel very solid. Also, they were much much lighter than the Gotoh tuners I originally purchased, which weren't even locking.

I was so impressed I decided to try their TOM for my bridge, and it looks really well-made too. I like that the intonation screws are offset from the strings so you can turn them easily with the strings still on the guitar! I was a dummy and didn't check with Warmoth first though, but fortunately they did me a solid and let me send it in halfway through the build and made sure it fit for me.

 

[Akkai]

Already had drill so practice it to run on different modes,
I have DeWalt and Its perfectly work on different power modes you can check here for drill article also. 

 

[Seamas]

For the small holes, like the pickguard holes, tuner screws and general hardware, I generally use a small hand drill
like this
For me I like the extra control, especially in places where a power drill is kinda overkill.