Installing sleeves for tuning pegs question

[fretlessman71]

Just how tight should tuning peg sleeves be? I have a neck that looks like the holes should be the right size for the sleeves, but they aren't going in. Looks like I could take a hammer and a woodblock and get them in okay, but wanted to see if anyone thought that this was a bad idea, and that reaming out the holes a bit would be a better option. Thanks.

[Randall]

Hmm. You can easily crack the neck if the ferrule is too tight. I would lightly ream the hole for a push in friction fit. I am sure others with more knowledge than me will chime in.

[billoetjen]

Better safe than sorry.

A hair too tight and you've got a cracked headstock.
Having been there, I recommend that they should be kinda snug. Maybe coil up some sandpaper and ream out the holes a little.

[fretlessman71]

Very good - glad I asked before I started pounding away. Many thanks to the both of you!

[kenfxj]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

... Looks like I could take a hammer and a woodblock and get them in okay, but wanted to see if anyone thought that this was a bad idea...

Originally Posted by billoetjen

Better safe than sorry.

A hair too tight and you've got a cracked headstock.

+1. Unfortunately the voice of experience.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Yet once again, the great pictorial by ponticat:

Originally Posted by ponticat

Okay.

As for the tightness, a snug fit is all that's needed. Usually when a secure fit with a splined shaft in a hole is required, the diameter of the hole is the inner diameter of the splines. That will not work with thin wood like a headstock, halve the difference.

Regards
Sam

[4StringTheorist]

Brilliance!

Work smart, not hard!

[mongo2]

I've used a vice instead of a clamp and it works well too.

[fretlessman71]

Thanks folks - this was just what I needed. Had I thought to call them "bushings" or "ferrules" instead of sleeves, the search function would have worked for me. Now that this thread is started, maybe "sleeves" will work for someone else!