Tuner help

[jdroost]

Have a roasted maple neck on the way.
I was planning saving a few bucks and using the two pin Schaller/fender non locking tuners I have in my current Strat neck... but just learned I should use a drilling jig for the pins holes.
  It's about 50 bucks for that..so now I am wondering if I should just get a new set of tuners with a single hole screw eyelid hole to make things easier on myself (will be easier to mark pilot holes for tuners).
  Looking for opinions here.
Need to be around 75.00 max on tuner budget.
Thanks.

 

[rolloman]

Go to Lowes and get a piece of hardwood about the same thickness as the headstock. Drill a hole in it for the tuners threaded post. Put the tuner in the hole with a small spacer on the non-pin side of the tuner to make it parallel with the hardwood. Put the threaded bushing and tighten it enough to allow the two pins on the tuner to make an impression in the hardwood. Remove the tuner and drill two small holes in the impressions made in the hardwood for the two pins. Install the Template you just made onto the headstock using a bolt the same size as the headstock hole. Drill the pin holes using the two small holes in the template as your guide. Try to make the two holes you drill perpindicular to the straight edge of the headstock and the correct distance from the edge when you install the bolt and it will be very accurate. You probably shouldn't attempt though unless you have a drill press to keep the holes straight. Also after doing test the fit of a tuner on the template before using it.

 

[Cagey]

While drilling for those pins is doable, I think they might have been designed more with OEMs in mind who have CNC machines milling/drilling their necks. For the DIY guy, the "screw through the flange" design is a lot easier to manage. $75 budget is somewhat limiting, but you can get these Schaller M6 Mini-lockers look-alikes from Guitar Fetish for $34 (They call them Sperzel style for reasons that would make no sense to anyone who's ever used Sperzels).

I've used them a number of times and haven't had any problems.

 

[rolloman]

I agree with Cagey it is only doable if you are very competent and have the correct tools like a drill press. Also never, ever drill into your headstock too deep. Lol

 

[jdroost]

While drilling for those pins is doable, I think they might have been designed more with OEMs in mind who have CNC machines milling/drilling their necks. For the DIY guy, the "screw through the flange" design is a lot easier to manage. $75 budget is somewhat limiting, but you can get these Schaller M6 Mini-lockers look-alikes from Guitar Fetish for $34 (They call them Sperzel style for reasons that would make no sense to anyone who's ever used Sperzels).

I've used them a number of times and haven't had any problems.

Good looking out.


I have a large drill press and woodworking tools...but to be honest would be a tad hesitant without the guide jig.
You just confirmed my suspicion that the other style would just be the better way to do it.
Thanks to both.

 

[Cagey]

Word to the wise: be careful about the pilot hole size you drill for the screws, and WAX THE SCREWS before you run them in. Roasted Maple turns out to be somewhat brittle, and I've seen two guys split their headstocks installing tuners. Also, if this is your first roasted Maple neck, you may want to consider burnishing it. It's cheap and easy to do, and the results are phenomenal. Won't really change the appearance, but the feel is sublime.

 

[jdroost]

While drilling for those pins is doable, I think they might have been designed more with OEMs in mind who have CNC machines milling/drilling their necks. For the DIY guy, the "screw through the flange" design is a lot easier to manage. $75 budget is somewhat limiting, but you can get these Schaller M6 Mini-lockers look-alikes from Guitar Fetish for $34 (They call them Sperzel style for reasons that would make no sense to anyone who's ever used Sperzels).

I've used them a number of times and haven't had any problems.

Ordered a set lastnight.
Noticed they are offset.
Should I ditch the string trees and try it 1st or just plan on installing a tree or two (have no experience with offset tuners).
Page had a lot of stuff on it...was hard not to order more..lol.
Thanks for the help with this.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Generally speaking, with staggered tuners and a properly cut nut you shouldn’t need string trees.

 

[pabloman]

You can install those Schallers without drilling. It's really more of a nub than a pin. Just tightening the ferrule draws those nubs into the wood. I've done this several times on roasted maple and regular maple with great success. If your nervous about mounting tuners check out the Hipshot UMP. It works with other brands as well.

 

[jdroost]

You can install those Schallers without drilling. It's really more of a nub than a pin. Just tightening the ferrule draws those nubs into the wood. I've done this several times on roasted maple and regular maple with great success. If your nervous about mounting tuners check out the Hipshot UMP. It works with other brands as well.

Yea...that was my plan originally.
Was actually fine with mounting until I read the thread about the roasted being prone to splitting..
Other tuners are on the way at this point.
When you guys say wax?
What type of wax should I use?

 

[rgand]

I like to use pure beeswax. Not stuff with beeswax in it. Amazon has it here. The 1lb piece will last you forever. Cut the thing up and put a piece in every tool box you have.

 

[rolloman]

I like to use pure beeswax. Not stuff with beeswax in it. Amazon has it here. The 1lb piece will last you forever. Cut the thing up and put a piece in every tool box you have.

Yes. much better. Didn't realize that about the walmart beeswax.

 

[rgand]

Yeah, you have to watch those labels. I don't think they intend to mislead but you never know.

 

[bagman67]

I like to use pure beeswax. Not stuff with beeswax in it. Amazon has it here. The 1lb piece will last you forever. Cut the thing up and put a piece in every tool box you have.

Yes. much better. Didn't realize that about the walmart beeswax.

I picked up a quarter-pound disk of beeswax at a local hardware store about 12 years ago and it's still about 3.9 oz.  Best tool I ever bought. 

 

[Rick]

It just dawned on me ... this is what you need, though it might not be what you want.  Price will be less than $75 and you'll have no worries.  Look for the post on the hipshot tuners.  Note the ump plate and no index holes, or any holes other than the tuner holes!  Hipshot has an assortment of tuner buttons.

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=29494.15

And it progresses ...
From Sporthitech
The buttons are polished chrome $3.25
The tuners, staggered, open backed, with UMP, polished chrome as well, $52.95
Pics give you an idea