How do I drill new neck holes?

[bobostein]

Im getting a new neck for my p bass but it dosent have the neck plate holes in it so how do i drill the the holes and not mess it up. I am a big fan of DIY so i want to do it.

[Jonyak]

I did it on my jazz bass by putting the neck in the pocket and then using the drill through the holes already in the body to just start the holes a little.

I then took it to the drill press and finished the holes... worked great, probably not the best way to do it, but it worked.

[John Wentzien]

Just don't go too deep!
Put the screw through the plate & the body..Measure how long the threaded portion is extending past the body.
Take that measurment and put a peice of tape around the drill-bit at that depth so you know when the hole is deep enough.

[Jazzdogg]

To Drill Holes In The Neck:
Every furniture and cabinet maker I know owns several "Vix" bits in different sizes. These bits are typically used to bore holes for hinge installation, but they'll work just as well for this purpose. Their design places a dill bit in a spring-mounted housing that retracts as you press the drill into the work, drilling a hole in the exact center of the hinge's countersunk screw recesses. These bits are available in several different diameters to accommodate different screw diameters (e.g., #4, #6, #8, #10). Buy replacement bits while you're at it; off-the-shelf bits won't work - they're the wrong length.

With the plate held firmly in position, use a self-centering ("Vix") bit to drill a pilot hole. If you hold the drill bit perpendicular to the plate, you'll end up with a perfectly-centered pilot hole, which you can then deepen to your heart's content.

Here's an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Vix-Bit-3VIXBI.../dp/B0000224LF

Good luck!

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Just don't go too deep!
Put the screw through the plate & the body..Measure how long the threaded portion is extending past the body.
Take that measurment and put a peice of tape around the drill-bit at that depth so you know when the hole is deep enough.

You're right, it is important not to drill a hole in the neck pocket that's the same size as the the through-holes in the neck. There's no need to drill the holes with the neck installed. If fact, if you're not careful, doing so can screw up the neck in the process. Start by drilling pilot holes in the neck with a Vix bit, then drill the through-holes (preferably at the drill press) with a piece of wood beneath the neck to prevent the drill bit from "blowing out" the wood fibers as the drill exits the underside of the neck.

Next, position the neck in the pocket and use a transfer punch or a brad point bit to mark the exact location of each hole in the neck to the neck pocket; then drill holes of the size required for the screws or threaded inserts you've selected.

Here's a source for transfer punches:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...92&cat=1,43456

[bobostein]

^ wow you really know your stuff when it comes to wood working. My neighbor is a carpenter, and builds houses do you think he would have the bits and other tools to help me?

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Jonyak

I did it on my jazz bass by putting the neck in the pocket and then using the drill through the holes already in the body to just start the holes a little.

I then took it to the drill press and finished the holes... worked great, probably not the best way to do it, but it worked.

That's how I've been doing it for many years. When I worked at Amercian Showster, we did every new guitar that way.

I don't even bother with the drill press. I use the proper size drill for the screw (which is smaller than the body hole) and mark the bit with some tape so I don't drill too deep. Then I clamp the neck in place and check it for alignment to the bridge, then I drill the four holes.

The reason I don't bother with the drill press is the fingerboard is has a radius, so it doesn't sit flat, and the body makes a perfect drill guide already.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

That's how I've been doing it for many years. When I worked at Amercian Showster, we did every new guitar that way.

I don't even bother with the drill press. I use the proper size drill for the screw (which is smaller than the body hole) and mark the bit with some tape so I don't drill too deep. Then I clamp the neck in place and check it for alignment to the bridge, then I drill the four holes.

The reason I don't bother with the drill press is the fingerboard is has a radius, so it doesn't sit flat, and the body makes a perfect drill guide already.

I agree that using a drill press isn't essential - but it removes a lot of opportunities for screw-ups for those who haven't yet developed the ability to drill a hole by hand that's perpendicular to the surface of a narrow board - which probably includes many of the folks who are attempting their first build.

I'm curious - why do you glue on the fingerboard/fretboard before you drill the holes to attach the neck to the body?

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by bobostein

^ wow you really know your stuff when it comes to wood working. My neighbor is a carpenter, and builds houses do you think he would have the bits and other tools to help me?

Each woodworking profession involves the use of a different set of core tools. And although there is overlap among several fields, some tools are unique to each trade; I wouldn't expect a framing carpenter to own spokeshaves, or a luthier to own a pneumatic roofing nailer, as tools of their respective trades.

Without knowing which trade your neighbor specializes in, I wouldn't hazard a guess as to which tools he owns. But, I will say this - I know very few professional woodworkers who are willing to lend their tools to people they don't already know and trust.

The good news is that the tools I mentioned above are inexpensive enough for the average hobbiest to consider affordable.

[troubleboy]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

The reason I don't bother with the drill press is the fingerboard is has a radius, so it doesn't sit flat, and the body makes a perfect drill guide already.

I've used a fretboard sanding block purchased from StewMac to cradle the neck so it sits flat and won't rock on the drill press. Works great. Just be sure to get the correct radius sanding block.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I'm curious - why do you glue on the fingerboard/fretboard before you drill the holes to attach the neck to the body?

If you are dealing with pre-made bolt on necks, then you have the neck already assembled, which is what the question was about.

At American Showster, we didn't make the necks in house.

If I'm doing a bolt on neck that I made, I use threaded brass inserts in the heel, and then I do use a drill press for those. Then I'll drill the holes before the fingerboard is radiused, or use a radius block if I already did that step.

I like to radius and fret the board after it's glued on the neck shaft. I find it's more stable that way. Everyone has their own way of working.

I mostly do set necks though, so I get the fretboard work out of the way before I glue the neck to the body.

[Jazzdogg]

Thanks, David!

[Engine207]

I have a body that I just built, without the neck holes drilled. The neck hasn't been drilled yet, either. How do I assure that once the I have fitted the neck into the pocket, that it's parallel to the strings?