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Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on July 11, 2010 at 9:21am

I punched out six dots, being carefull to not punch to close to the rounded edge of the pick. Measured the dot size with the calipers to find a drill bit of the right size, luckly it fit a standard size. You could just fit the drill bit through the punched out hole without the calipers.
Ron.
[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011161-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011160.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011158.jpg[/IMG]

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Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on July 11, 2010 at 9:28am

With the drill bit in the drill press I pressed the drill bit down onto the fret board and set the drill press lock so the drill bit could not go any further down. So the drill bit stopes right on the top of the fret board. I am missing a photo of this and only have on of the drill press lock. The next step will mak things clear. Ron.
[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011164.jpg[/IMG]

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Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on July 11, 2010 at 9:31am

Then put the guitar pick under the fret board, this will raise up the fret board the thicknes of the guitar pick, which is the same thickness of the punched out dots. Then the drill press will drill a hole exactly the thickness of the inlay dot.
Ron.
[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011164.jpg[/IMG]

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Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on July 11, 2010 at 9:40am

With the holes done I put a SMALL amount of epoxy in the holes placed the inlay dot over the hole covered it with a piece of wood an whacked it with a hammer. The inlay went into the holes easily and were flush, did not need any sanding, a little wipe to remove any squeezed out eopxy and I was done.
I did drill one hole too deep, go figure, but the inlay went in flush so you could do this will a hand held drill with some care and still be OK.
Cheers Ron.
[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011182.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f333/mookie098/P1011167.jpg[/IMG]

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on July 11, 2010 at 10:11am

Bingo. A pilot tip drill bit is great. there is a cutting edge on the sides much like a forstner bit.

BTW. Forster bits are way better.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Micah Haley on July 12, 2010 at 2:49pm

That's hot!

I'm stealing your idea.

(not without giving you credit though... XD )

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on July 12, 2010 at 3:09pm

Yup, that's how I do them too. But I've downgraded to medium picks, the heavy ones bent the hell out of my hole puncher. I use a 1/8" punch for side markers or for octave markers up the neck when a 1/4" dot is too big. You can barely see the side marker in this photo -- sorry! Also, you can tap them flush with a credit card or a business card. If you use your fingers, you'll just lummox it all up and they'll be uneven. I use gel super glue, it also fills up the excess space if you've overdrilled.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel C. Jones on July 21, 2010 at 6:02am

I am making my first cigarbox guitar in order to learn how to play. I have a little experience playing the six string know the chords and a few scales but not much else. My question is going to be novice but I need to know it so I'll ask it! Is the fretboard a seperate plank that is fastened to my 1x2 poplar neck?

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Permalink Reply by Jon Pruett on July 21, 2010 at 12:28pm

Yes, it usually is. I've screwed one down, but prefer the look when it's glued down (simple yellow carpenters glue is fine). Just apply lots of even clamping pressure overnight to make sure it stays put.

Daniel C. Jones said:

I am making my first cigarbox guitar in order to learn how to play. I have a little experience playing the six string know the chords and a few scales but not much else. My question is going to be novice but I need to know it so I'll ask it! Is the fretboard a seperate plank that is fastened to my 1x2 poplar neck?

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Permalink Reply by Jon Pruett on July 21, 2010 at 12:28pm

This is the first time I've seen this tip - and it looks great. I'll be trying this on my next neck for sure!

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Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on July 21, 2010 at 2:24pm

Thanks, it is not my tip, but I can not remember where I got it from.
Put glue on the fret board, a very small pinch of salt, just a few grains along the board, place it on the neck, turn it over and clamp it face down on a flat surface. This gives you more even pressure, the salt keeps it from sliding around and getting out of alignment. Also, the salt thing is also somebodies else's idea, I guess I am just a stolen idea sponge.
If you have no clamps put a weight on it, books or something. Or drill the marker holes and screw it on in the marker holes and cover them up with the markers. Cheers Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel C. Jones on July 21, 2010 at 7:47pm

Thankyou for the tips and advice. I will be getting the plank. Perhaps Red Oak will do? Or do you prefer something else? I like the idea about salt. And don't fret about stealing someone else's idea. Since the idea for musical instruments is credited to Tubal Caine then everyone else who makes guitars after him is guilty of the same thing. I don't know where I am going with this last bit but I really really wanted to use the pun!

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