Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

[Snake Aces]

All my tools are in America still so I need to find a solution to drill some holes for the strap button screws and humbucker mounting ring screws. Eventually I will use it to drill the screw holes for tuners on a neck as well. I used to use a hand crank drill when I used to do this back in America.

My question is, has anybody ever used one of these for wood drilling: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Mini-Micro-Hand-Drill-Wood-Hobby-Model-Multi-Tool-W-Key-Chuck-0-6-6mm-/321618058155?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae1ee1bab

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

I haven't used one but it would work fine for small holes like those you need to drill. It may be a little unbalanced or akward to use. They make these knurled drill bit holders for drilling small holes (like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/PIN-VISE-SW...765?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec1a42d25) . One of those may be more controllable and will get the job done. There is always a Dremel too and off brands are cheap these days (don't know about Greece). At any rate, my only reservation would be starting the holes. I'd probably use a small awl to at least get a dimple started.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

Why not buy an inexpensive power drill?

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

I haven't used one but it would work fine for small holes like those you need to drill. It may be a little unbalanced or akward to use. They make these knurled drill bit holders for drilling small holes (like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/PIN-VISE-SW...765?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec1a42d25) . One of those may be more controllable and will get the job done. There is always a Dremel too and off brands are cheap these days (don't know about Greece). At any rate, my only reservation would be starting the holes. I'd probably use a small awl to at least get a dimple started.

That looks pretty solid. I have not even checked Dremel or similar brands prices for this particular job. I usually like to use a hand "powered" drill for this kind of job to take it slow and easy. That being said, I have never tried a Dremel for this kind of job either, it's probably pretty slick.

My next problem is finding decent quality bits that will not break off on me. Nothing is worse than having a bit break off. Any suggestions?

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

Why not buy an inexpensive power drill?

No thanks, not for such small bits.

 

[Grandturk]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

You're going to have trouble with pin vise style drills generating enough torque to drill into hardwoods.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

You're going to have trouble with pin vise style drills generating enough torque to drill into hardwoods.

That's why you start the hole with an awl. From there it's easy by hand just as if you were turning a screw. The point of pre-drilling a small hole before using a screw is to prevent things like the head of the screw breaking off or cracking the wood with the screw.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

That looks pretty solid. I have not even checked Dremel or similar brands prices for this particular job. I usually like to use a hand "powered" drill for this kind of job to take it slow and easy. That being said, I have never tried a Dremel for this kind of job either, it's probably pretty slick.

My next problem is finding decent quality bits that will not break off on me. Nothing is worse than having a bit break off. Any suggestions?

First I should note that personally, I just use a cordless drill. I have a dremel but haven't used it on a guitar. They are really high RPM so you have to be careful and if you run it too slow it will stall. I don't think you'll have a problem with snapping a bit for pickup ring or strap button holes. The bits are small but not tiny. Probably more concern with the bit for tuning machine mounting holes. Plus, depending on the wood, the headstock may be harder than the body.
For bits, I'm sure they have to have some decent, brand name bits in Greece but I don't know what's available there. Just be careful about not flexing the bit (the small bit for anchoring the tuners especially) by putting side pressure on it once you get into the hole some. Personally, I think I'd worry less about snapping a bit using a cordless or dremel. But regardless, I think it will work out. Just be careful and use some decent quality bits.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

First I should note that personally, I just use a cordless drill. I have a dremel but haven't used it on a guitar. They are really high RPM so you have to be careful and if you run it too slow it will stall. I don't think you'll have a problem with snapping a bit for pickup ring or strap button holes. The bits are small but not tiny. Probably more concern with the bit for tuning machine mounting holes. Plus, depending on the wood, the headstock may be harder than the body.
For bits, I'm sure they have to have some decent, brand name bits in Greece but I don't know what's available there. Just be careful about not flexing the bit (the small bit for anchoring the tuners especially) by putting side pressure on it once you get into the hole some. Personally, I think I'd worry less about snapping a bit using a cordless or dremel. But regardless, I think it will work out. Just be careful and use some decent quality bits.

The body is swamp ash but the neck will be either Indian rosewood or wenge (haven't made up my mind yet). Anyway, the body will be here in a few weeks. I can go to the hardware store to buy some decent bits for sure. I have done this many times before using a hand crank drill back in the US but that's where that drill is. That drill isn't the best but it got the job done. I would rather buy a newer one than pay to have my old one shipped to me.

I have snapped a small bit off before but luckily it wasn't on a guitar. I also do not have access to my workbench that I had back in Minnesota either. So, I will be holding the guitar body between my legs when I drill here. I think it would be best if I used a hand drill for this one. The high RPM of a Dremel worries me a bit and I do not have a cordless drill here nor do I plan on buying one at the moment.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

In that case, I'm sure that with a good bit, a hand drill like the ones that either of us linked would probably be the safe bet. May be slower going but I dont see why it wouldn't work. I'd just go with whatever style you think you would be most comfortable with. If you have never used a dremel, the high RPM could take some getting used to. I actually do some pumpkin carving with them. They aren't complicated, scary or hard to use or anything but they aren't very forgiving either when they are up to speed. I don't think my first go with a dremel would be drilling holes in a guitar.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

With small holes you can do them by hand by just holding the drill bit. I do all my side dots like that.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Need to drill some holes in a guitar body coming soon

My brother is going to mail me my "titanium" marketed drill bit set. They're pretty good, not sure why I didn't pack them along with me a few years ago. I might have him send me my cordless power drill too since I have a good power converter here to keep it charged. Most of the holes I will probably do by hand though.