Drilling Larger Hole; How To Prevent Unfinished Wood from Splintering?

[Thomas-Hawk]

Hello all,

Just bought an unfinished alder Soloist body, and I had them drill the volume and two tone control holes for me, which I believe are 3/8".  I plan on using the middle hole for a 3-way Gibson type pickup selector toggle switch, which I now found out requires a 1/2" hole.  So... I'm going to drill out the 3/8" hole up to a 1/2", but I want to be sure I don't splinter the wood.

Any tips, tricks to make sure I don't screw this up?  :help:

I thought about covering up the existing 3/8" hole with blue painters tape before drilling, but not sure if that would be the best idea or not.

Thanks in advance for any help!


-Tom

 

[stratamania]

I would get a step drill bit or a reamer. A normal bit could run out and cause damage.

Or fill the hole with dowel and redrill.


Practice the procedure on some scrap wood not the body.

 

[Cagey]

I agree - fill the hole with dowel and redrill. Use a Forstner bit to prevent tearout. Those will give you clean holes even if the part is already finished. Also, use a drill press if possible.

 

[Thomas-Hawk]

Thanks guys!  Order placed for the Forstner bit, and a new drill press too!  Haha, I've always wanted a good excuse to have a drill press.  :laughing7:

 

[Cagey]

They're a handy tool. You can also use one to press in tuner ferrules, string ferrules, bridge and tailpiece bushings, etc. You need at least a 12" throat, though. Something along these lines. Otherwise, you won't be able to reach far enough into guitar bodies to do everything you might want to.

A handy thing to have along with that is an X/Y cross-vise...

Allows you to do things like install threaded inserts in necks.

 

[Thomas-Hawk]

Just FYI, the Forstner bit and drill press did the trick, and a very nice and neat job of it too!  AND I got a new tool out of the experience... what's not to love?  :toothy10: :cool01: arty07:

Thanks again guys.

 

[Cagey]

Good for you! Glad to hear it!