Official Luthiers Forum!

I know this is a rookie question, but this is my first steel string and I'm not sure. When installing the tuners, should I drill the hole the exact same size as the shaft that is going through? I'm assuming yes, although I'm not positive. On all my classical guitars, the hole for the pegs is slightly bigger to allow for smooth operation without the peg skipping. I know this can't happen for SS guitars, but is there anything else I need to know before drilling the holes?

Thanks!

John

Hi John. I don't have enough experience to be called a rookie yet, so don't feel too bad

I'm sure someone more experienced will chime in shortly, but the size of the whole depends on the tuners you're using. Most steel string tuner holes are drilled with a 10mm bit (I think).

Jordan

John...welcome to the "Dark Side"

Check out the diagrams in the StewMac catalog...they generally give out the diameters of the shafts. I use that drill bit.

HOWEVER...you will need to drill a counter sink hole for the tuner bushings first. SM has a great peghead reamer that works great for Waverly's and the like.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I use Schaller tuners. One 10mm hole will do it.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I to use Schaller and Grovers 10mm drill

John,

Don't overthink it (I recognize the symptoms!). Just grab some scrap wood, drill some holes and see how it all fits. Easy!

10mm fits most everything but Waverlys
Waverlys require a 1/4 inch hole and then a 11/32 hole on the top for the
peghead bushings
StewMac sells a piloted drill bit for this 2nd hole after the 1/4inch is drillled

Waverly_Guitar_Peghead_Bushing_Reamer.html">waverly reamerazimmer138891.8360648148

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

John,

To minimise breakout I have another piece of wood firmly clamped under
the headstock while drilling and I use a bradpoint bit.

Cheers

Andy,

I think this is the link you meant. Wavelry Bushing Reamer

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

It is good to build a jig to allign the holes, because it is not fun to try to fill in mistakes and re-drill

Carlton and Terry, great tips you guys! Thanks!

By the way, has anyone ever installed SPERTZELS ? What drill bit size for them please?

BTW it is always very useful to have a caliper around in these instances. You measure whatever you are putting in the hole then find the exact size drill bit.