How risky/difficult is it to drill pot holes in a double f-hole hollowbody?

[seagulc]

Hey guys

I'm ordering an L5 hollowbody from Warmoth soon, they just told me they won't drill the pot holes for me since it has 2 f-holes. I'm ordering the body with a laminate top and gloss finish. How difficult is it to drill these holes for a beginner? It's my first build and from what I hear it can be risky because of the proximity to the lower f-hole. I only need 2 pot holes drilled.

Thanks

 

[Unwound G]

Drilling pot holes through a pre-painted body is not difficult but a lot of care has to be taken.

1.  Locate where you want the pots to be.
2.  Make sure the pot holes will have ample space for the pot casing to fit when mounting from the rear (I have seen cases where a wrong pot hole location had to be remedied by using a mini pot found in most Asian made guitars.
3.  Put masking tape on the painted surface, using a sharp hole starter like a thin nail and lightly punch a small dent on the desired spot.
4.  Drill an equally small hole through the dent.
5.  Use a next one up drill bit and repeat the process.
6.  Take the masking tape off to check for any cracks in the paint remembering that any tell-tale indications can be sorted out now since the hole is still small.  One remedy of any small chips can be carefully sealed with superglue around the edges of the hole.
7.  Re-tape over the hole and keep graduating the drill bit size until it is big enough for a round file can go through.
8.  Work the file evenly over the circumference alternating from the front and back at the control cavity until the pot threaded shaft fits.
9.  Do this for all the pot holes.
10. To double secure that the hole will not allow moisture or dust to eventually work their way in, seal the edges with superglue.  It is best that you mask out the areas around the holes to keep any exposed surface clear.

Hope the above helps.

 

[stubhead]

I'm pretty sure that it's much harder for Warmoth than it is for you. That seems odd, but on a production line they're using a big, hyper-power, programmed machine and you have the option of taking all the time and care you need.

 

[ByteFrenzy]

Just recovered one of those from my dad's toolbox. He mounted a bubble level in the handle - great for staying vertical. Since then I've practically retired my cordless drill (except for non-critical screwing chores).

 

[Vol. Knob]

This was a sudden "Panic" situation with me.  I ordered a double F hole thinline, mahogany with a Bubinga top.  Warmoth doesnt drill control holes on double F holes.  Then Jack the Hack piped in on a thread mentioning that they're afraid of cracking the top and he suggested a place in Lawrence (he too lives on the eastern side of Kansas).

My rhythm guitarist suggested that I start with the smallest drill bit I had, and then work my way up, one size at a time, until the hole was the correct size. 

I tried that, but it still kinda made me fearful that I was gonna destroy the guitar. 

Ultimately, I had planned on a Les Paul arrangement, a toggle, two Vol. knobs and two tone knobs.  Out of fear, I backed it down to what you see in the pic.

And the funny thing is, I moved the toggle position and the tone knob position as far as I could from the F hole, and close to the sides for stability.  But I put the tone knob hole so close to the jack that the jack tip touches the tone pot!  So the tone pot is not wired up.  The tone knob is there for looks only.  DOH!!!  Not that it matters, the guitar still sounds killer.

 

[RexTheDog]

Theres a small chance that that the guitar could implode, ripping a hole in space and destroying most of the universe, but other then that there isnt much else to worry about that hasnt been covered in the previous posts.

 

[stubhead]

A sharp drill bit cuts from side to side at the tip, and the vertical directionality is just a guide telling the bit where to be to cut wood. Notice I didn't say vertical FORCE; and I did say a SHARP drill bit.... I used to sharpen mine but they're so cheap for singles these days I just replace the smaller ones every few years and the bigger ones when they don't bite anymore.

 

[ByteFrenzy]

Theres a small chance that that the guitar could implode, ripping a hole in space and destroying most of the universe, but other then that there isnt much else to worry about that hasnt been covered in the previous posts.

No, that's when you drill pot holes in a double f-hole large hadron collider.

 

[RexTheDog]

Theres a small chance that that the guitar could implode, ripping a hole in space and destroying most of the universe, but other then that there isnt much else to worry about that hasnt been covered in the previous posts.

No, that's when you drill pot holes in a double f-hole large hadron collider.

Isnt this the hardon collider fourm?  ??? :icon_scratch:

 

[dbw]

Isnt this the hardon collider fourm?  ??? :icon_scratch:

No, around here every man keeps his hard-on to himself.

 

[ByteFrenzy]

OK. I had to go back and check but I did NOT make that typo. Phew...

 

[Nando Vallart]

I did say a SHARP drill bit....

+1000
And the small bit and then making it larger is very good... would start with 1/8" bit or a little less and increasing slowly...

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

The correct "type" of drill bit will play a major role as well.  Select carefully.

 

[Vol. Knob]

Theres a small chance that that the guitar could implode, ripping a hole in space and destroying most of the universe, but other then that there isnt much else to worry about that hasnt been covered in the previous posts.

You don't run the risk of causing the guitar to implode, ripping a hole in space, and/or time,  destroying most of the universe, unless you've used a drill that's been retrofitted with an infinite improbability drive.

Now, if you use a sharpened bear tooth that's been soaked in your enemies blood to carve a pot hole, you do run the risk of summoning an ancient Sumarian demon who will eat your liver.  However, the guitar will resonate beautifully and you'll have 10% increased sustain.

 

[ByteFrenzy]

Now, if you use a sharpened bear tooth that's been soaked in your enemies blood to carve a pot hole, you do run the risk of summoning an ancient Sumarian demon who will eat your liver.  However, the guitar will resonate beautifully and you'll have 10% increased sustain.

Do you only get the increased sustain if the demon eats your liver or always if you use a bear tooth as you described?

 

[hannaugh]

Theres a small chance that that the guitar could implode, ripping a hole in space and destroying most of the universe, but other then that there isnt much else to worry about that hasnt been covered in the previous posts.

You don't run the risk of causing the guitar to implode, ripping a hole in space, and/or time,  destroying most of the universe, unless you've used a drill that's been retrofitted with an infinite improbability drive.

Now, if you use a sharpened bear tooth that's been soaked in your enemies blood to carve a pot hole, you do run the risk of summoning an ancient Sumarian demon who will eat your liver.  However, the guitar will resonate beautifully and you'll have 10% increased sustain.

Well now you make it sound like we're playing some sort of guitar-themed Dungeons and Dragons or WoW. 

 

[Vol. Knob]

Now, if you use a sharpened bear tooth that's been soaked in your enemies blood to carve a pot hole, you do run the risk of summoning an ancient Sumarian demon who will eat your liver.  However, the guitar will resonate beautifully and you'll have 10% increased sustain.

Do you only get the increased sustain if the demon eats your liver or always if you use a bear tooth as you described?

I think it depends on the type of bear, which tooth you use, and how fresh the blood is.  And it has to be a real enemy's blood, not just a tedious neighbor or your band's annoying ex-drummer.

 

[RexTheDog]

Now, if you use a sharpened bear tooth that's been soaked in your enemies blood to carve a pot hole, you do run the risk of summoning an ancient Sumarian demon who will eat your liver.  However, the guitar will resonate beautifully and you'll have 10% increased sustain.

Do you only get the increased sustain if the demon eats your liver or always if you use a bear tooth as you described?

I think it depends on the type of bear, which tooth you use, and how fresh the blood is.  And it has to be a real enemy's blood, not just a tedious neighbor or your band's annoying ex-drummer.

Hmmm.......that would explain alot.

 

[ByteFrenzy]

Now, if you use a sharpened bear tooth that's been soaked in your enemies blood to carve a pot hole, you do run the risk of summoning an ancient Sumarian demon who will eat your liver.  However, the guitar will resonate beautifully and you'll have 10% increased sustain.

Do you only get the increased sustain if the demon eats your liver or always if you use a bear tooth as you described?

I think it depends on the type of bear, which tooth you use, and how fresh the blood is.  And it has to be a real enemy's blood, not just a tedious neighbor or your band's annoying ex-drummer.

Don't you find that the 'ex' prefix makes a drummer a lot less annoying? So the current drummer's blood might do?

 

[rightintheface]

i swear every musician who has ever been in multiple bands has an annoying ex-drummer.

plus, you can substitute the enemies blood by using the blood from an anus. any anus will suffice.