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Thick box wall/paddle drill bit size

I already have several normal legnth size 1/4 jacks. What can I do to get the jacks in. Drill from which side with a paddle drill or other bit? The walls are a bit thick.

I just am editing this now...maybe I could drill from the outside of the box a hole bigger than I need. Then cover the outside of the box with some wood or metal...drill the proper size jack hole through that and attach? Will the jack be floppy though?

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on July 18, 2014 at 9:28am

Guess I'd need to know what size hole to drill through that's not rediculous ...some of the walls are really thick

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on July 18, 2014 at 10:19am

WayFinder,
You found the way:) thank you. Exactly the info needed.

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Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on July 18, 2014 at 10:25am

I'll second the Forster bits. They are so much easier to work with as well. Be good to cover what every your drilling with masking tape. This helps. But wont prevent all the chipping.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on July 18, 2014 at 10:28am

Just drill an oversize hole and use a standard jack plate like on a Les Paul, or make up a small plate.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on July 18, 2014 at 11:54am

Gonna prob get a Forster bit because I'll end up needing one...haven't been to the store yet. I do like the plates as well but $$ is tight. I got some nice boxes so I want to plan better for next time. I noticed many boxes have thicker walls than previous boxes and cans I was using.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on July 18, 2014 at 12:09pm

Wayfinder,
What method do you use on your jacks...same method or different on different boxes?

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on July 18, 2014 at 1:10pm

I used to drill a 1" hole all the way thru then glue on a piece of 1/8 or 1/4" plywood on the inside of the box with the 3/8" hole in it. I felt that the plywood was stronger than most of the soft woods that the boxes were made of. Probably over kill, but what the heck.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on July 19, 2014 at 9:37am

I like all these ideas...I think plates could be really great as they are like another accessory/part of the art of the guitar...I like screws, and industrial looking stuff anyway...that is if the instrument calls for that look.. I look for places the jack should go...mainly out of the way of the player.i was thinking of a jack on the neck at some point but I think that would be too cumbersome and get in the way or pull on the guitar....I did find wooden tags at Walmart in the crafts section ...they already have 2 holes and could make a cover plate...somewhat oval...later I'll take a pic

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Permalink Reply by Muddy Creek Guitars on July 18, 2014 at 4:31pm

One way is to drill a bigger hole. Big enough for the entire jack to fit through and cover the hole with a jack plate. (C. B. Gitty sells them). Another way is to chisel out from the inside, essentially making that part of the wall thinner. Easier way is to CAREFULLY use a palm router to remove some of the wood from the inside of the box. This method is fast but be careful not to cut all the way through the box.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on July 18, 2014 at 7:31pm

Another thing is - next time you buy jacks - go for ones with a long thread. Most are made to just pass through a thin jack plate, but the ones I buy can easily get through a 8-9mm box side.

+1 on the jack plate, whether it's a metal one or a piece of wood - I wouldn't use a paddle bit on any part of a guitar. Too messy :)

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Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on July 19, 2014 at 12:06am

be careful how you drill a hole this wide into a cigar box, paddle drills and Forster bits are designed to cut through solid wood not cigar boxes - safest way is drill a small pilot hole and cut the larger hole with a jig saw or fret saw, or use a circular drill bit or hole cutter, clamp a block of wood to the inner side of the lid or cigar box wall while drilling...