LOCATOR PINS / INSTALLING TUNERS

[NUCCIOPAL]

My replacement neck from Warmoth did not come with the locator pins pre-drilled and I'm having a hard time with the masking tape method … (the tape keeps braking when I remove it)
What is your preferred method to take the measurements from the current neck?

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[mayfly]

What sort of tuners are you using?  Ones with screws or with studs?  Photos would also be helpful.

 

[NUCCIOPAL]

No screws. Schaller 25/64 with studs (locator pins)

 

[Rick]

Never used tuners with index pins.  I believe if you did a search here, this has come up before.  Maybe you could buy a jig at Stew Mac, they have all that stuff if you don't have confidence in your ability to eye ball it.  Maybe the Schaller people have instructions on their website?

When I've used planet waves tuners I just eye balled them and drilled.  Came out fine.

 

[rgand]

I did one a while back and just installed the tuners lightly then when I was sure they were aligned properly, tigntened the tuner just enough to make light marks with the pins. Then I removed the tuners and drilled at the marks.

 

[mayfly]

No screws. Schaller 25/64 with studs (locator pins)

Given that, I would use the stumac jig.  I've achieved near perfect alignment using it with Sperzel tuners. 
NOTE!  Please investigate to ensure that the jig is suitable for your tuners (I didn't check this on your behalf).

This is the jig I am referring to:

 

[Verne Bunsen]

I’ve done it both ways. Using the tuners to make their own marks works, but you have to be careful to keep them level relative to the plane of the headstock to avoid deflecting the pins outward. The Stew Mac jigs are the bee’s knees. I actually have 2 of them which helps with alignment.

 

[fdesalvo]

Easy way: clip the locator pins near the tuner housing. You’ll end up with a sharp spur that will easily press into the neck, performing the same role.

Now, if you’ve got that stewmac tool, all the better.

 

[Cagey]

The jig is the thing to use. I think a LOT more people would buy them if StewMac didn't want a second mortgage on your house to buy one of the damned things. I'd bet dollars to donut holes Doug could make them for $2-$3 each and sell them for $25 all day long.

 

[Bob Darby]

I am not sure if this is the same tuner type but I just thought I would share what worked for me. I had a hell of a time looking for some kind of jig to mount these tuners to no avail. So I just kind of winged it. Just make sure as you tighten them down to make the impression in the tape that everything is level. I have successfully done this twice. The second time I drilled the pin hole just slightly bigger. It worked even better as I was able to move the tuner a little if it wasn't perfectly aligned. You will see the holes from the previous tuners. I had a little neck dive so I went lighter and it did help.