Tips for aligning tuners?

[Naxn]

I just bought a Fender neck by Warmoth and some hipshot ultralight tuners. Is there a trick to getting the tuners aligned up as accurately as possible? By that I mean, perpendicular to the edge of the headstock and also centered as there seems to be the slightest amount of play in the holes for the tuners.

I've tried aligning a straightedge against the flat part of the tuners main structure but just eyeballing they seem a little off.

Thanks!

 

[BGF]

To fix the small amount of play in the holes for the tuners, wrap the threaded bushing with foil tape to make it nice and snug. Worked for me when I put ultralites on my Jag SS.

As for lining up the tuners, I used a ruler and made several small adjustments until it looked just right.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I just bought a Fender neck by Warmoth and some hipshot ultralight tuners. Is there a trick to getting the tuners aligned up as accurately as possible? By that I mean, perpendicular to the edge of the headstock and also centered as there seems to be the slightest amount of play in the holes for the tuners.

I've tried aligning a straightedge against the flat part of the tuners main structure but just eyeballing they seem a little off.

Thanks!

That should work. Snug up the ferrules / retainer nuts just enough so they don't slosh around on their own. Use your pocket rule or T to align the tuner margins with the edge of the headstock. Mark the anchor pin position and drill, baby, drill.

Riis

 

[Jaco D]

When I did my last build many years ago, I used a t-square (a "triangle" would do, might even be better if it has an "edge guide" - sorry, don't know the term) with one edge on the edge of the headstock and the other edge resting on the side of the tuners forming a 90 degree angle.

 

[Scott in Dallas]

Here's how I do it:

Use a T-square along the flat edge, marking a line for the mounting screws. Mark another line through the center line of each tuner hole and drill pilot holes where they intersect. It only takes slightly more time to measure and mark than it does to eyeball it.

Use low-adhesive masking tape or similar to make your marks on.