Large strings in tuners

[The Hun]

I'm assembling my first baritone-scale length guitar and have run into some trouble with the low B string (in Standard B tuning.) I'm using a 68ga string and it is not going into the tuner hole.

Before I use more of the brute force method, I was wondering if anybody here has encountered this before and knows some better Kung Fu? I get the impression when I use too much force that I must be doing something wrong.

 

[Cagey]

I built a baritone for someone here a couple years ago, and didn't have any trouble. But, it sorta depends on the tuners you use. Some will take larger strings than others. I think we used Schallers or Sperzels on that one, and if memory serves, they were good up to .072 strings.

I can't imagine how you could "force" the string in - either the hole is large enough or it's not. You might be able to drill out the hole a little, but if you do, you'll want to be sure to chamfer the edges of the hole lest you provide too severe a breakover point which will result in frequent broken strings.

 

[swarfrat]

I just drilled out my control  knobs from GFS to letter size F to mount Alpha pots instead of the 1/4" split shaft most guitar knobs work. Not something everyone can do, but it's not exactly building a breeder reactor in your parents basement either.