Enlarging tuner holes

[DarkPenguin]

So I have an XGP neck coming. It is drilled for kluson's, 9mm. 10mm would be more useful to me. How hard is this to drill out? I'm concerned that the holes will end up all over the place. I do not have a drill press and the one I have access to is worse than hand holding.

If this guitar works out I intend to slowly replace some parts and sell the old ones. So I'd rather not screw up the XGP neck. And I'm not putting kluson's on a nice warmoth neck. No offense to kluson lovers. (Weirdos.)

 

[dmraco]

I do to like to drill.  You can run the risk of splintering the wood.

I have used on of these.  Round with a max diameter some where larger than 11mm.

 

[AirCap]

Or use a violin maker's peg reamer.... they are tapered, and you can make the hole just right!

 

[bagman67]

You can also use a stepped drill bit.  Best used with a drill press.  See, e.g., https://www.ironworkerstool.com/product-p/klein%2059021.htm?gclid=CLLL1Lvt99QCFUWSfgodEE0Iig

I see metric parts on Amazon as well.  You'll use the stepped bit to start the enlargement of the hole and ensure it is centered correctly, then use an ordinary brad-point bit to finish the job.

 

[DarkPenguin]

Oh! I forgot about the step drill. I think I have one of those. Not sure if it is metric or no...

The violin reamer looks neat. At the insane price level anyways.

The idea of the file terrifies me.

 

[Cagey]

Step drill might work, depending on the design, but usually the steps on those things are substantially shorter than the thickness of a headstock, so you're stuck finishing out with a twist drill. But, twist drills that size don't always want to cut circular holes in parts that thin. So... rasp? Maybe, if you're very careful. Could run into roundness problems again.

The reamer is the thing to use, but you're right - they're pricey little devils. If you don't use one very often, it's tough to justify owning one. Maybe you can find a repair shop and get them to ream the holes for you? I can't imagine anyone would charge much for that, if anything at all. It's a 5 minute job if you goof off while doing it. If it was my shop, I'd do it for the good will.

 

[DarkPenguin]

I think i've solved this. I have fender vintage tuners in my shopping cart. Yes, capitulation.

 

[pabloman]

Step drill from the front, step drill from the back, twist drill for the middle. works like a charm. I've done probably 8 guitars that way. Did my own just yesterday. :headbang1:

 

[BigSteve22]

I think i've solved this. I have fender vintage tuners in my shopping cart. Yes, capitulation.

Hipshot makes a fine locking tuner in vintage trim. Put them on '64 Hagstrom, fit perfectly.

Check 'em out here.
https://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=394

 

[DarkPenguin]

So in the end I did end up drilling out the tuner holes.

I bought a 5 bit set of metric step drills and a set of regular metric bits. Seemed like the sort of thing I might want.

Drilled out the holes from the top and bottom using the step drill. Finished up with the regular 10mm.