Neck pilot holes too small?

[Hollow]

I'm just starting my first build and had a question about the the pilot holes that come pre-drilled in my roasted maple neck. I'm using a Fender neck plate that came with #8 screws and normally that would be fine with the 1/8 (3.1mm) pilot holes, but the advice sheet that came with the neck said to even go one size up with pilot holes when using roasted maple to avoid splitting the wood. Should I be enlarging the pilot holes?

Thanks!

 

[Rick]

When it comes to “neck bolts” I do whatever warmoth tells me.  My suggestion is give them a call if you have a question.  Get the info right from the horses mouth.

 

[AirCap]

The question isn't whether to drill a larger hole. The question is "what is the definition of the one size?" Was Warmoth referring to a 32nd? A 16th? A millimeter? Were they using wire gauge? Get the facts, then act.

 

[Fat Pete]

I think that they're just talking about the pilot holes you have to drill yourself - for the tuners.

 

[swarfrat]

The neck mounting holes (ie the four at the heel) should be sized as any other predrilled hole. The threads should bite into wood, and the minor diameter of the shank should not be having to displace wood. They need to bite (especially the two at the far end of the pocket) or the neck might not resist the torque on it.

The tuner screws are really just locator pins. as long as they don't fall out they keep the tuner from rotating. It's held in by the nut and washer.