Tuner hole resizing, can I salvage this

[cornfarmer]

Used the wrong stepped bit and overcooked the hole slightly. Without having to resort to filling the hole with a dowel and all that jazz, what are some other options?

I was thinking of using some putty and then reaming it out.

Does anyone make bushings with really wide flanges?

 

[Beej]

How wide is the flange you are trying to use? Will it cover it or at least really close?

You could plug this and redrill it depending on the size.

 

[cornfarmer]

It's the curved flange style on Mexico/Squires, which look not as wide as the American vintage style (to my eyes), Fender part 0019509049. If they are truly wider they'll cover up the filler pretty well.

Got a set of those ordered and put some wood filler on the inner circumference. Letting it cure until the new bushings arrive to allow maximum hardness (TWSS)

 

[Markshan]

If you're looking for a cover it up instead of fix it solution, I would try to find four nice chromed washers that you could put around the bushing and would stick out a little past where that is. Of course then you'd have to deal with the extra height break from the nut and all of that, but cosmetically it should look good.

 

[Kekic]

They do sell oversized bushings depending on the finish and the size of hole

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[cornfarmer]

Those Hipshots look identical to the Fender bushings. They're supposed to be here this weekend so we'll see what's what.

 

[cornfarmer]

So for those still interested, the Fender bushings above indeed have slightly wider flanges than the curved (Squier) ones - hard to tell from this pic, but they are. Enough that it hid my headstock cosmetic boo boo. I had to widen all of the holes on this MIM neck for them to fit, first with a stepped bit, then to about halfway down with a 3/4" spade bit. Put a small drop of Titebond on the outer edge of them to they won't wander out. DONE

 

[Kekic]

Awesome...glad to hear its fixed and done

 

[micguy]

As long as the flange or washer is wide enough to cover things, you can make holes smaller by glueing paper rings inside the hole to take up the slack. A mixture of glue and paper is micarta, which is harder and tougher than the wood if the glue penetrates the paper. I have used paper from sacks from the grocery store and Elmer's woodworking glue, epoxy, and even cyanoacrylate in various uses - making holes smaller, shimming nuts, etc.