Technical advise needed - Installing Tuners

[yz250f49]

Installing some of these into my Affinity Squier tele headstock.

 

 

The part that encloses the tuning shaft is a larger diameter than the holes that are currently in the headstock.

Do I need to enlarge the headstock holes all the way through, or just enough to get the tuners to fit flush?

[archiemax]

I'd say don't enlarge the holes any more than is necessary, and use a reamer, not a drill.

[yz250f49]

Like a hand held tapered reamer?

Like this:



Does it have to be specifically for wood, or does it matter?

[cratz2]

I have a reamer that I got at Harbor Freight for like $3 that I've used on two guitars. Just go slow and easy.

I always just reamed a little bit at a time, but all the way through until I could get that casing into the hole with no resistance.

I'm betting that most reamers that are widely available are intended for wood.

[doodie]

still remember when i was enlarging the tuner holes(from 8mm-10mm) and my local hardware store ran out of reamer. so i use the doublesided tape and tape the sandpaper on the philp screwdriver and use it as a round sanding file. it works but took me 10 min a hole.

[Brewski]

I always like shoving things in small holes really hard until they fit and even add some lube on it.:poke:


No - be patient and take you time.

[yz250f49]

Thanks for all the advice!

 

So, I went down to the Ye Olde Hardware Store that's been around for over 80 years and they had one of these in stock.

 

 

Believe it or not, Lowes, Home Depot and even Harbor Freight didn't carry these.

 

I figured WTH, I probably have at lease two more guitars that I will upgrade the tuners on so it was worth buying.

 

Finished up the project tele that I got by trading my compound bow. Added a new GFS black pickguard, Repro Vintage Alnico Neck and a Repro 1950'S Tele Alnico Boutique Bridge pick up, added a Graphtec nut, shimmed the neck a bit and readjusted the action. Plays and sounds great now. Here are some pics:

[MahaloVision]

Looks nice.

 

You can usually find the reamers in the Plumbing department, not in tools. Both Lowes and HD have a thing for not putting all the tools in the tool department. Apparently plumbers and electricians can't be bothered to make that walk.

[BamaKramer]

looks great man, you will probably get a lot more use out of that reamer.

[caveman]

I use a hand reamer as well. It might be helpful to practice on a board, a couple of times, before you go to the head stock. Once the tuner just fits in your practice hole, wrap a piece masking tape around your reamer to give you a guide as to when your getting close. Go slow and check often when you get close to the tape.

[Convert]

The one time I had to enlarge tuner holes, I used a hand drill, working gently and going up in steps to the final size. Seemed to work fine.

[yz250f49]

The one time I had to enlarge tuner holes, I used a hand drill, working gently and going up in steps to the final size. Seemed to work fine.

I have no doubt that many have successfully used a drill to perform this operation. My local luthier advised me to use a hand reamer. I have a feeling that had I ignored his advice, with my luck, this would have been the result: