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So I recently changed to a laminated tail block and low and behold, I made it too thick when I glued up the last batch. Not a big deal- unless you are installing a pick up. I remembered seeing Frank Ford (I think) sharpen the back of a forstner bit and using it to drill from the outside of the guitar. He used it to countersink the bolts on a bolt on neck. Well, I am not a machinist, so that wasn't an option for me. Instead I came up with this thing:



The shaft is a long 3/8" bolt with the head cut off. I cut a slot in the end to allow the bade to set down in it. The blade is an old piece of a bar clamp I took apart years ago. I sharpened it on opposite sides so that it would cut properly while spinning (think router bit). I also cut a slot in it to accept the bolt- this way the two pieces would be locked together. But just for security, I added some superglue gel. It was a wonderfully tight fit and held rock solid. The hole for the end pin jack had already bin drilled to the required 1/2", so I wrapped tape around the 3/8" shaft of the cutter until it was 1/2". This allowed the cutter to be perfectly in the center of the end pin jack hole. The only problem with the thing- it cut better than I expected and I almost cut too deep.

Problem solved. I hope this helps. I am sure I am not the only person who has done this.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

That's essentially a homemade reverse counterbore (spot face). Very handy tools when you need them.

Before I knew there was such a thing as a reverse forstner bit I took a spade bit and ground a blade into the opposite side and it worked like a charm. I still use them in fact for bolt on neck conversions or operations like you are doing.

You can get reverse spotfacers and pilots at The Yard Store. Very clean cut.

http://www.yardstore.com/browse.cfm/4,5326.html

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Nice. I never knew there was a reverse type bit available. I am totally happy with the one I made. And it was free- one of two my favorite four lettered f words (the other one is food).

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

MAN! Spent a lot of time at The Yard Store when I was a kid.
Aircraft tools of all kinds there (natch!), just like this reverse spotfacer.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince