guitar2005 Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 So I'm at the point where I'm getting ready to drill the bridge post holes for the Gotoh tune-o-matic bridge. The posts are 11mm but I can't find a good quality drill bit (i.e. Forstner or carbide tipped brad point). 7/16" is pretty close but slightly too large. any ideas on whether this would be suitable? Thanks, F.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 Is there any specific reason you NEED a carbide tipped brad point? I know carbide tools have their bonuses, but unless drilling metal, a good HSS has never failed me and I can resharpen it myself with ease. An 11mm Forstner might be hard to find, but an 11mm brad point should be easy enough. I experimented with a 7/16" and it was a loose fit. A 27/64" was actually a little tight, bit I cleaned it up with a little sand paper and it was fine. But a 27/64" is going to be harder to find than a 11mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 +1 Never used a carbide tipped brad point in my life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted October 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 (edited) +1 Never used a carbide tipped brad point in my life. The carbide tipped point isn't necessary. I guess I want to make sure I have a super clean cut. I guess that HSS would be more than enough. This is the best I can find: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=...cat=1,180,42240 Any other options out there? Edited October 8, 2007 by guitar2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MescaBug Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 I always drill the posts holes with a 7/16 drill bit. I installed the posts with a soft hammer, they are very tight. Don't know why you guys had problems with the post being loose. Stewmac recommend a 7/16 bit, don't know why you need a larger one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Stewmac recommend a 7/16 bit, don't know why you need a larger one... 27/64" is actually smaller than 7/16", not larger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted October 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Stewmac recommend a 7/16 bit, don't know why you need a larger one... 27/64" is actually smaller than 7/16", not larger. Yup - and its also > 0.1mm larger than the 11mm bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 27/64" = 10.715625mm 7/16" = 11.1125mm 0.1125mm doesn't sound like a lot, but I found it to be enough to make the bushing a little sloppy. I could easily pull it back out by hand. Which to me means that it is not transfering vibrations to the body as well. Plus that is figuring on the bit drilling a PERFECT 7/16" hole. If your drill press has any runout (which they all do to some extent) will cause the hole to drill a little oversize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted November 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2007 (edited) 27/64" = 10.715625mm 7/16" = 11.1125mm 0.1125mm doesn't sound like a lot, but I found it to be enough to make the bushing a little sloppy. I could easily pull it back out by hand. Which to me means that it is not transfering vibrations to the body as well. Plus that is figuring on the bit drilling a PERFECT 7/16" hole. If your drill press has any runout (which they all do to some extent) will cause the hole to drill a little oversize. I hate this I found a nice 11mm Brad Point bit, drilled a test hole in maple and the Gotoh post won't go in unless I hammer it in with force. It is way tight and I don't want to crack the wood as I'm hammering the post in. I guess 7/16" it is. Edited November 25, 2007 by guitar2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 Before you get another drill bit, try heating the bushing with a soldering iron first. I have found that once the bushing or even string ferrules are hot, they slide into the wood a lot easier. If it works, great. If not, you only wasted about 15 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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