Quick Tips #28 How To Drill Straight Holes For A String Through Guitar

[@normbarrows2]

saw a vid recently where the guy used a baseplate as a template, drilled half-way through from the front, then taped a board on the drill press table, drilled a bit into it, then left the bit sticking out the hole in the board. He then flipped the guitar over and used the half-drilled holes and the bit sticking up as an index pin to drill the other half of the holes from behind - perfect alignment - zero tear out.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Was it my video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqvXZH93jbWBf9Usi=OhhkvIbyxZIgSgQ9

[@normbarrows2]

@@HighlineGuitars No, somebody else. He taped a board to the drill press table, drilled into it, then stopped the drill without removing the bit from the wood. Then he used the chuck key to release the bit from the chuck. he then used that bit as his guide pin. then he put a second bit of the same size in the drill. for each ferrule hole, he positioned the half-drilled hole on the bit sticking up from the table, and drilled the other half. Seems to be the same idea as what you're doing in that build. I take it you've made a jig of some sort.

[@HighlineGuitars]

@ Actually, these days I use a CNC machine.

[@normbarrows2]

@@HighlineGuitars Wish I had one for these barrel tuners I just drilled holes for - my #2 looks a bit off. I always think to myself: "I build one-off customs, I don't need CNC mass production repeatability." But the accuracy would be nice. OTOH, you have to build the guitar in CAD first. Perfecting my technique of marking out evenly spaced holes might be easier.

[@grimoirworkshop6623]

hinge self-centering drill bit might be handy to mark the holes for drilling with actual bridge screwed in place

[@brunoCondor]

Hi Chris, good tip. I have also a bunch of these cheapo bridges laying around to use as a guide. I"ll use of course a drill press with a brad point, but still i've never trusted it. I'll just measure it twice and drill to the middle of the body and than the other side with the donor bridge. If the guitar is allready laquered i use a simple tape to line up., so they meet each other in the middle. That way you reduce even more making a fault. Have a nice day Chris.

[@usmclee65]

Thanks for the tip!

[@nrich5127]

Just as an addendum - you should use a drill press to maintain a straight hole - also as a precaution put a piece of tape and clamp a piece of wood on the back side of the guitar to prevent chipping when the drill bit finally pierces through the finish. Also go slow and let the bit do the work.

[@HighlineGuitars]

That’s why I don’t drill all the way through. Even with tape, the wood will still tear out.

[@Johnny.D]

I usually use a drill centering punch and Mark each hole. Seems to work alright for me.

[@smokepeddler]

That is the correct way.

[@74dartman13]

Using the old bridge baseplate is a great idea. Those drill bits are really nice too! I use those a lot!👍😎🎸🎶

[@andrewwagner6851]

Wish I would have known this before taking a dremel bit and drilling right through!

[@davestambaugh7282]

The best way that I have found is to dial them off with the digital readout on a Bridgeport milling machine. You can ream to a more accurate diameter and also counterbore them on the back so that they are flush to the surface.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Yeah, but 99.99% of the people who watch this video don't have a milling machine and never will.

[@erinburke9711]

Lol some of us live in the real world

[@williameowwheats6310]

I know it sounds wierd... But can i add a bridge like floyd rose on one?

[@graou_paou]

Don't buy a Floyd rose equipped guitar man... You will regret it. Trust me

[@edadpops1709]

Great tip. Hey did you decide not to offer your cnc drawings or is that down the road sometime? Thanks

[@HighlineGuitars]

I don't have any drawings. I am working on an assembly manual. Unfortunately, it has taken way more time than I thought it would so I have no idea when it will be done.

[@onpsxmember]

Only thing that matters is the quality when it's done.

[@mutantbaby1672]

2 1/16" to 2 1/4". I need to memorize that.

[@Brandonfunky]

I ruined again. the drill just won't be straight enough when it comes out. perhaps I need to slow down a bit.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Are you using a brad point drill bit?

[@lesblack413]

Run the drill as fast as you can always works for me. I also drill the two end holes first and go right through in steps to clear the shavings, then locate the template or mounting plate with the correct size drills and drill the holes from the top slightly more than half way through, then do the same for the other side (back). Your holes all should now be in line.

[@smokepeddler]

A couple more minutes to countersink ferrels

[@Arnd2it]

This video should have had close-ups so people can see exactly what your talking about. As is, nobody knows what the bridge you're using as a template even looks like.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I showed a close-up of the drill bit but not the bridge plate because I didn't want people to think you need a specific bridge plate. Any hardtail bridge with string through the body holes will work.