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Permalink Reply by Jacob Blackwood on June 3, 2009 at 9:31am

I use a 1/4 inch drill bit to drill my holes.

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Permalink Reply by Anderson on June 3, 2009 at 9:33am

Thanks!!!

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on June 3, 2009 at 10:12am

And I wiggle the drill around a bit to give me some room because I'm not so accurate. The plate of the tuner and the bushings cover up my lack of craftsmanship. The wiggle room is especially helpful if your tuners are 3-on-a-plate or likewise.

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Permalink Reply by Doc Oakroot on June 3, 2009 at 11:06am

If your tuners have bushings and you want to use them, you'll need a 5/16" bit instead of 1/4"

Jacob Blackwood said:

I use a 1/4 inch drill bit to drill my holes.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Becker on June 3, 2009 at 1:47pm

Just hold the machine up to the drill bit and compare the width. If you don't have the proper bit, and aren't sure what size to get, just take the machine with you to the hardware store ( or just buy a set of bits). Drill a test hole in some scrap wood to test fit before drilling your neck.

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Permalink Reply by BT Cohosh on June 5, 2009 at 6:30am

I've notice that bushing diameters (outside diameters) seem to vary. On my last build, I used a 3/8 inch bit, and then had to loosen the hole a little with a round file.

If your tuners didn't come with bushings, you can get them at a shop that does instrument repairs--mine cost a buck apiece. Make sure to bring your tuners, too, b/c the inside diameter of the bushings can vary, as well.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on June 7, 2009 at 4:00am

I try to keep the hole as small as I can to insure a tight fit.
I drill the through hole the same size as the tuner shaft,then go back and carefully drill a bigger hole to match the bushing size ,but only far enough for the bushing too fit in snugly.
its a little more work but that way I know each fits its hole which ALWAYS takes some of the stresses involved in that area easier on the wood.

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Permalink Reply by Delta Blues Classics - JStoltz on June 7, 2009 at 10:15am

After I have shaved the headstock down to the right thickness and after I have marked the location of the tuner holes: I then drill a small pilot hole for each tuner. Then before using the final drill bit size, I wrap a little blue tape, or masking tape, around the headstock and over the pilot holes. The tape will prevent any unwanted tear out of the wood around the holes. Also as others have said, the size of drill bit necessary varies from one type of tuner to another. Simply hold drill bits up to the bushing or the largest part of the tuner, until you find the right size. When in doubt, just work your way through a few bits in succession and check after each size; that will ensure that you never go too big. I usually drill as close to the size of the tuner as necessary, then use a round file to finish the holes to the perfect fit.
Hope this helps.

Jeff

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