Enlarging tremolo post holes with a reamer?

[ferranster]

Hi,

I want to change the posts of my tremolo for larger ones, but because I don't have a drill press I'm sticking with the old ones.
Do you think I could enlarge the holes using a reamer? Even if so, is it recommendable?


Cheers

 

[Funky Phil]

I would say don't do it!

You will end up with slightly conical holes, and the posts will tend to rock forwards under the tension of the springs and strings.

If you don't have a drill press, then find someone that does...

 

[rockskate4x]

If you are going to drill bigger holes, I would dowel up the first ones nice and tight and sand the dowels flush with the top. Then you will have a better surface to drill your new holes into.

 

[ferranster]

Got it!

I just found out about reamers today and I thought I might have seen the light, but no luck
It's gonna be hard to find a drill press but I'll give it a go.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Jusatele]

does your music store have a repair guy?

 

[-CB-]

If you are going to drill bigger holes, I would dowel up the first ones nice and tight and sand the dowels flush with the top. Then you will have a better surface to drill your new holes into.

+1+1+1 !!!!~~

 

[NovasScootYa]

Harbor Freight and other companies have inexpensive 10" drill presses that will do the job. A cloth covered board bolted to the table increases work area. You'll need a drill bit perhaps .005" or so smaller than the replacement post diameter. The bit size is determined by measuring the new post with a dial caliper which is also a very cheap Harbor Frieight tool. For setup and centering, use a drill bit that fits original post bores and surgical tubing, etc. to secure body on table. Practice drilling on scrap wood first.
The good news is, if you succeed, you'll have plenty of DIY pride and vital tools on hand for other projects for many years to come.

 

[DangerousR6]

I would say don't do it!

You will end up with slightly conical holes, and the posts will tend to rock forwards under the tension of the springs and strings.

If you don't have a drill press, then find someone that does...

I'm not sure you really know what the uses of a reamer are... :icon_scratch:

A reamer is for enlarging a hole to a specific size and to make a smoother bore than a drill bit would. So if done correctly, with everything centered up you won't get conical holes. Now if you are using a "tapered" reamer or "pipe" reamer then you will in fact have a conical hole... :icon_biggrin:

 

[-CB-]

Let me add, the just because you use a drill press..... doesn't mean the hole will be "ok", if you make them with a standard drill.  There's flex, and there's also no guarantee things will be perfectly centered.  The better way is to plug and redrill, using a drill press if you have one, or a hand drill with a guide to keep it square if you don't.

Not sure how much bigger the bushing holes need to be, but.... using a small sanding drum on a Dremel may be all you need, if you work the hole evenly and slowly.  Well before you have a drop in fit, you'll have a fit that will allow starting into the hole, and while the hole wont be perfect, you'll be able to press or tap the bushing in, letting the compression of the wood make up for any slight differences.  Bushings are fluted, to take advantage of wood compression on installation.

On another note - I usually run a sanding disk into the Warmoth made holes for TOM and stop-bar.  I find their holes just a little too snug for my own tastes.  The sanding drum method has never given me grief on that.

How about some more info, saying what size you have and what size you want to end up with.