Hello all and what tuner hole size?

[recurve]

Hi folks,
Getting ready to embark on my first warmoth build - ordering parts tonight.  All is going well except I need to know what tuner ream hole size to get for Grover Rotomatic tuners - the standard, original with 18:1 ratio.  I have been told 2 different sizes and wanted to find out from you experienced folks - it will be on a warmoth peghead.

Thanks all - I'm sure as this project goes on I will have plenty of ? for you all.
I have made an acoustic guitar from a Stew Mac kit, a few effects pedals and a Marsh Fender delux tweed amp kit.  These have all turned out well - even if they don't look the best!

Thanks again

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

This is what Warmoth reams for, listed in both standard and metric.

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/TunerHoles.aspx

Listed next to the tuner hole reams, are the respective tuners that Warmoth carries.

Compare these sizes to what you can source from another vendor, such as Stewart MacDonald, and you should be able to find what you need.
http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Guitar_and_Solid_Peghead/

As you can see from clicking on the Grover tuners "10mm (13/32") diameter peg holes required".

 

[recurve]

Thanks Tony - that is one of my sources however I called the Grover company earlier today and they said 25/64" hole.  so then the Warmoth rep asked me if I need a stepped hole or a straight hole and I don't know - Grover is closed for the day.  So I was curious of the folks who used the tuners on their build what hole size did you order and was it straight or stepped?

thanks a million

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Thanks Tony - that is one of my sources however I called the Grover company earlier today and they said 25/64" hole.  so then the Warmoth rep asked me if I need a stepped hole or a straight hole and I don't know - Grover is closed for the day.  So I was curious of the folks who used the tuners on their build what hole size did you order and was it straight or stepped?

thanks a million

Do you have the tuners in your possession now?
If so, and you have a set of calipers, just measure them.
If you have not purchased them yet, then the links above should suffice.
It sounds to me like they provided you with the Sperzel size, which would be a bit of a tight fit without the step. 
Look at the Warmoth link, and you'll see what a "stepped hole" is. 
When in doubt, go with the hole one size larger.  Once you tighten up the retainer nut from the front side of the housing, it takes up any perceived slack in hole diameter differences anyway, so long as the hole isn't drastically larger than one size up.

 

[recurve]

Thanks again - So going with a slightly larger hole would be better?  (remember - I never did this before)
I did pull a rotomatic out of another guitar.  The widest diameter is 0.386 - website says should be 0.390 so close enough.  25/64" = 0.390 so maybe the guy at grover was giving me that actual dimension and not the hole size?
The threaded insert at the top was 0.308 - they don't give a dimension for this that i saw but the 11/32 step = 0.344 so that should work.
Warmoth recommends 13/32 (0.406) with 11/32 step so would this slightly larger hole be correct?

sorry for being so anal but once the hole is cut you can't make it smaller!

 

[Cagey]

Larger holes are never better unless you're ventilating space invaders. I recommend something in the 9mm+ range.

As for tuners, they should be tight, Tight, TIGHT! You want to have a very firm connection between your strings and your neck meat. Otherwise, the connection becomes a shock absorber and things start to deaden up.

You need to know not only the diameter of the tuner shafts, but their height. The height determines whether you need a lip on the holes or not.

If it was me, and I couldn't determine those dimensions, then I'd go for smaller holes that I could open up, with lips I could remove. Means you'll need a reamer at best, or a rat-tail file at worst. with sandpaper-wrapped dowels falling somewhere between those two choices. In any event, you want the things to be very nearly a press-fit. Otherwise, you may as well install Klusons.

 

[recurve]

thanks - I was hoping someone would have used these on a warmoth neck as they seem o be pretty popular.  I just got off the phone with grover (again ) and they said 25/64 hole - straight wall no step.
This is different from the Warmoth and stew-mac recommendation of 13/32 (with step as per warmoth).

Gonna go with grovers recommendation - they  should know (i guess).

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

When in doubt, go with the hole one size larger.  Once you tighten up the retainer nut from the front side of the housing, it takes up any perceived slack in hole diameter differences anyway, so long as the hole isn't drastically larger than one size up.

I must defer to Cagey's expertise.  Please disregard my quote above as it is a shortcut that doesn't serve the greater goal of excellent quality.

 

[recurve]

put the tuners in today and they fit perfectly. Snug press fit in, bushings screwed in with no problem and snugged up the bodies nice and tight.
At least for me the 25/64" hole was perfect.
hope this helps anyone else considering these tuners.