Builders, repairmen, witch doctors of the craft

[Disturber]

Here is a project that I have not come around to do yet. Installing a set of Schaller tuners on my early 70's Japanese Dove copy acoustic fiddle.

Looking at this clip

the guy just drills the holes out by hand. Something I've been worried about doing. But it's a maple neck, the wood is harder than mahogany.

Now I'm a bit anxious to weather I should try it myself, or leave it to a guitar tech. I mailed a guy I know today that builds acoustic guitars, fine ones too. He's a craftsman.He says that he is worried the wood will crack if the holes are not plugged first. Any other opinions on this?

Question two: should I try this myself, like in the video above? Or let the tech do it?

[murkat]

no drill bit, the bit will grab and "eat" into the all ready tuner hole if done by hand.

Hand reamer (single cut blade, long taper,

pricey at wood tool shops via internet).

bit reamer (cheap at harbor freight tool, etc.).

tapered router bit with stopper on the bottom of bit.

You might get away with it on a drill press.....

if setup and secured properly.

[BCR Greg]

I use a sharpened punch to dimple where the holes go. Then, I wrap tape around the bit (10 or so complete wraps) to stop the bit at he right depth and keep the holes consistent. The bit should be half the diameter of the screw, to allow the wood to compress.