Drilling for Planet Waves Tuners

JacksonMIA

Lemur-buckerologist
Hey guys, I need your help/advice.

I'm currently working on restoring an old US made Peavey Predator. Of everything I am replacing, the tuning machines are what are most needed. I'm lucky enough to have some friends that pitched in and bought me a set of the Planet Waves Auto-Trim tuners for my birthday.

The problem, is that the holes for the tuners are WAY too small, and I'm going to have to drill. Have any of you had any experience installing these things, and will a standard drill bid size work? Stew Mac says that they have a 0.390 inch diameter.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
 
Re: Drilling for Planet Waves Tuners

John, why a file and reverse drilling? Can't just grab a 10mm bit and drill it out? I'm gonna be putting some Sperzels in. Glad I caught this thread.
 
Re: Drilling for Planet Waves Tuners

Like John said-- don't drill. Standard drill bits as we know them are designed for aggressively removing metal from a given workpiece. Because of the density and toughness of metals, a particular type of point is needed to remove the material. There is a better than average chance that you may crack your headstock if you improperly drill it out to a larger size using a metal-cutting bit. Try John's file method, or use a hand reamer to open up the holes. Better safe than sorry.
 
Re: Drilling for Planet Waves Tuners

Hey Jackson; Is your Predator the one with the Kahler Flyer, locking nut, and dual humbuckers? If so, I have one just like it. '86 MIA model. I love it.

Post pics as the project progress's. ;)

Oh yeah . . . and I would definitely take any advice that JohnJohn offers. He's helped me out with a couple of guitar projects. :)
 
Re: Drilling for Planet Waves Tuners

Thanks guys, you've talked me out of drilling. The neck is the main reason I bought the guitar, and it is SWEET. I don't want to risk messing it up.

Artie, no it was the three single coil predator. Sounds like yours is more akin to LukeDuke's. As far as the pics, they are on my computer at work, so I'll have to pull them off there. I hope to have a website set up soon to post all my pics. I'll keep you informed.

Thanks again, guys.
 
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