drilling machine head holes

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drilling machine head holes - how tight?

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paul.troutfisher

Posts: 161
Joined: Feb. 16 2011
From: Danville, CA

drilling machine head holes - how tight?

I'm ready to drill the machine head holes in my head (ouch), but ran into something that i find curious. I have two different sets of machine heads from Der Jung and each seems to have a slightly different barrel diameter. I've mounted both on my 171SF and find that one set has a meaningful amount of wiggle room - not that they really wiggle as they are relatively rigid.

Being an engineer by trade - it seems to me any wiggle room could adversely effect sound production - as energy could be lost wiggling the barrel and not the sound board. Or does the nut fully terminate the strings vibrations. Is this another case of me over analyzing something or a real concern?

I have purchased an 11mm barrel drill, so it seems that most people just drill this as a common size. Guessing this is a don't care, but just wanted to check with the experts.

thanks in advance

troutie

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2011 15:12:42

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: drilling machine head holes - ho... (in reply to paul.troutfisher)

I use a 10mm drill and hone the holes to fit before installing the machineheads. There´ll always be some French polish or Lacquer in the holes and even though you use a special jig for dirlling, there´ll always be some imporfection in your holes.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2011 16:28:27

paul.troutfisher

Posts: 161
Joined: Feb. 16 2011
From: Danville, CA

RE: drilling machine head holes - ho... (in reply to paul.troutfisher)

oops, i mis-spoke. i have a 10mm bit.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2011 16:45:26

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: drilling machine head holes - ho... (in reply to paul.troutfisher)

I use a 10.5mm bit :D. Looking at some of the other guitars I have seen where the machinehead holes are huge in comparision to the rollers hasn't made any difference to sound. It may make using the machines slightly hard though.

I have a jig anders and never have any imperfection. The tuners slot in 100% of the time first time.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2011 17:33:05

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: drilling machine head holes - ho... (in reply to Stephen Eden)

quote:

I have a jig anders and never have any imperfection. The tuners slot in 100% of the time first time.

I use a jig and mine are 100% first time too.
However, I then get then get polish etc in the holes and have to tidy them up when i fit the machines.

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Kevin Richards

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2011 8:15:50

estebanana

Posts: 9369
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: drilling machine head holes - ho... (in reply to paul.troutfisher)

quote:

I use a 10.5mm bit

Always with the bigger bit, my 10 mm seems just fine.....I'm not jealous at all...really. no really.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2011 16:14:22

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: drilling machine head holes - ho... (in reply to paul.troutfisher)

Hehe well they say its not the size that counst but what you do with it, But it sure is easier with a bigger one!

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Classical and Flamenco Guitars www.EdenGuitars.co.uk

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2011 20:51:51