Drilling Tuning peg holes

[dmraco]

I have purchased a neck with 11/32 peg holes and want to use a GOTOH Mini 510s.  They use a 13/32 hole.  Any issue with simply drilling them out with a hand drill??

thanks

 

[bpmorton777]

yep. You'll probably need some kid of jig to keep it strait and standard drill bits wont work well I think. you might check out Stewmac.com for the tools

Brian

 

[SkuttleFunk]

many luthiers would recommend that you first plug the holes before attempting to enlarge them. the concern is how to most reliably reduce the potential for tearout when drilling the larger holes

when you do drill the larger holes, be certain to use a drillpress equipped with the proper size Forstner bit. be careful not to use too much rotation speed to avoid burning, and be sure to use a backing board to avoid tearout on the backside

all the best,

R

 

[Funky Phil]

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Tuner_installation/Peghole_Reamers.html
The large one is the one to go for.
Yes, yes, I know it's expensive, but it IS safe.
(Watch your fingers though...these things are SHARP!)

 

[SkuttleFunk]

those are to ream TAPERED holes for violin type tuning pegs. for electric guitar/bass tuning key holes you want to have non-tapered holes

I would not recommend using these reamers as the way to enlarge your holes

all the best,

R

 

[mayfly]

A step drill might work well in this application.  It won't chew out the hole like a twist bit would, won't be tapered like the reamer, and the step would keep the new hole aligned with the old one.  The only possible wrinkle is that depending on the bit you find it might not be deep enough - I'd just go in from both sides and meet in the middle.

Here's a set available from home depot

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100081946

 

[Funky Phil]

those are to ream TAPERED holes for violin type tuning pegs. for electric guitar/bass tuning key holes you want to have non-tapered holes

I would not recommend using these reamers as the way to enlarge your holes

all the best,

R

But I would!!

 

[stubhead]

If you're careful and have experience in working with exact tolerances, you can do a fine job with a rattail round file.... calipers and press-fitting can assist the process. The new holes need to have perfectly straight sides and be perfectly round, if they don't "turn out that way" it's because you didn't make them that way. I would personally count on spending about 15 minutes per hole, 1 1/2 hours total plus refinishing the inside of the holes. It's so much less likely to slip the headstock than drilling with a bit. I wouldn't advise you try your first time on a nice neck, unless you've reamed a lot of other stuff out before. I've been reading this guy's book:
http://www.robinsoninlays.com/
He did the Martin 1,000,000 and 750,000 guitars, among other stuff... I'll bet he can make a round hole! :blob7: