What's On Your Workbench?

[rojo412]

Step bit and drill press is a good way to get it started.
I've torn the crap out of headstocks with "proper sized" bits that large, no matter how slow and methodical I try to be.
If you can at least use the step to give the proper sized bit a starter hole, you can finish that way. But man, be prepared for shrapnel, chips, anger, and crying if you just start at it with anything larger than 1/2".
If you have a taper reamer and do it by hand, even better to start.

Oh, and if you can make a template with the proper sized holes, then use a router to cut out the full sized holes, that's even better. But a lot of extra work.

 

[charlie monroe]

I think a tapered reamer is the tool to use, not a step bit.

 

[James Willie]

You have good ideas. I always appreciate your help.
Drill press moves too fast for me.
Worry about hopping, chipping, cracking.
Using hand drill, gets the holes outside edge very clean.
Then finish off with drill press.
Have installed larger tuners a few times. but
Absolutely, not saying my way is best.
Technique works but very time consuming.
Only photo example available, which has same tuner upgrade,
is this on this pilot neck I did awhile back.
Thanks

 

[JIO]

Yeah, I don't think I'd be using a step bit either. I think a drill press and the proper sized actual drill bit would be a better approach.

I have used a step-bit to open up a hs hole successfully. One side at a time to correct needed opening size on the both faces, and then a standard drill-bit/files to remove the center. Not saying it's an ideal way - but without access to a drill-press and if done with patience it can be done.

 

[dwizum]

To follow up from my post last night - It's lunch time and I've got two more instruments done this morning. This makes for three instruments finished this week, one with 4 strings, one with 5, and one with 6. Aiming to have the second tenor done this afternoon.

I'm really pleased with the sound from the half scale nylon string. It's pretty loud for how small it is and it's nice and warm. So easy to play, too, with the shorter scale, soft strings, and 14th fret body join on the neck. This leaves me feeling like I have to do some more small acoustic instruments next. Maybe some ukuleles.

 

[James Willie]

To follow up from my post last night - It's lunch time and I've got two more instruments done this morning. This makes for three instruments finished this week, one with 4 strings, one with 5, and one with 6. Aiming to have the second tenor done this afternoon.

View attachment 3750411

I'm really pleased with the sound from the half scale nylon string. It's pretty loud for how small it is and it's nice and warm. So easy to play, too, with the shorter scale, soft strings, and 14th fret body join on the neck. This leaves me feeling like I have to do some more small acoustic instruments next. Maybe some ukuleles.

Your skill level is extraordinary.

 

[James Willie]

I have used a step-bit to open up a hs hole successfully. One side at a time to correct needed opening size on the both faces, and then a standard drill-bit/files to remove the center. Not saying it's an ideal way - but without access to a drill-press and if done with patience it can be done.

You may have been the one to tell me how to do this in the beginning.
I know I learned it from someone here.
Thank You Talkbass

 

[JIO]

You may have been the one to tell me how to do this in the beginning.
I know I learned it from someone here.
Thank You Talkbass

Whether I was or not, the point is that not everyone has access to a shop with a drill press, band saw, table saw, and a place where you can create wood dust and make a lot of noise. A drill with a step-bit is a very useful tool, as is a router, although a router needs that shop or a backyard realistically. A drill with Forster bits is also a very useful combo - much can be achieved with little. Chisels, rasps, files - all can be implemented w/o a shop... as long as you have a good vacuum.

 

[ctmullins]

I don’t see why anybody needs tuners that big. Even the Gotoh GB7 is larger than necessary for the job at hand.

 

[JIO]

I don’t see why anybody needs tuners that big. Even the Gotoh GB7 is larger than necessary for the job at hand.

Like anything, one has choices and makes decisions for personal reasons for their instruments.

 

[dwizum]

Your skill level is extraordinary

Thanks, I appreciate it. Especially because I often feel like a chump compared to some of the other regulars in here!

 

[James Willie]

I don’t see why anybody needs tuners that big. Even the Gotoh GB7 is larger than necessary for the job at hand.

Awhile back, made a mistake,
purchased tuners too big for neck.
I was stuck, so I found a way to use them.
Since then, use big tuners all the time.
Had good luck with the BM Lite Schalers.
My skill level far below other guys on this thread.
Imagine Grandpa Munster in his underground lab.
That is me.

 

[Jon Clegg]

d.
Imagine Grandpa Munster in his underground lab.
That is me.

As long as the explosions don't take out the whole block, it's all good.

 

[tubedude]

Just getting started on a Ricish build.

 

[JIO]

Just getting started on a Ricish build.

A good idea to create a name to describe it other than what it's referencing. (Ricish) Big Brother John Hall is watching.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Awhile back, made a mistake,
purchased tuners too big for neck.
I was stuck, so I found a way to use them.
Since then, use big tuners all the time.
Had good luck with the BM Lite Schalers.
My skill level far below other guys on this thread.
Imagine Grandpa Munster in his underground lab.
That is me.

Not gonna lie, I thought this was a Haiku.

 

[tubedude]

A good idea to create a name to describe it other than what it's referencing. (Ricish) Big Brother John Hall is watching.

A good idea to create a name to describe it other than what it's referencing. (Ricish) Big Brother John Hall is watching.

His time is better spent on quality/design issues than trolling for one offs.
This Betterbacker will have no pickguard, Creamery toasters mounted to the body, a functioning bridge, a little body sculpting, and a 34" scale. Similar shape, but in no way designed to be a counterfeit. Frankly I'm aiming higher.

 

[JIO]

His time is better spent on quality/design issues than trolling for one offs.
This Betterbacker will have no pickguard, Creamery toasters mounted to the body, a functioning bridge, a little body sculpting, and a 34" scale. Similar shape, but in no way designed to be a counterfeit. Frankly I'm aiming higher.

Just joking, but the fact is they go after people. Amazingly they seem to allow all those MIC clones commonly found on eBay. Or maybe they just can't keep up with them.

 

[rojo412]

Frankly I'm aiming higher.

Pretty easy do do, actually

 

[Gilmourisgod]

All the most commonly griped Ric flaws are pretty easy to fix, the body contouring easiest of all. Though I’m a sucker for a bound body edge, you pay for it in forearm wear. I think the change to a single DA rod is a positive, and the new V2 bridge is a partial improvement over the original. Ric seems to have given up on the Chickenbackers, which is probably smart. Anybody who buys one isn’t in the market for a genuine Ric anyway, yeah, it’s IP theft at its most blatant, but virtually unstoppable when the resources of a global superpower are behind it. Ric has better ways to spend its resources than pointless lawsuits that accomplish nothing, took them a while to figure that out. You can get a lot of the Ric vibe and tone going without directly copying the protected bits, though it’s not necessary for one-off tribute builds (like mine).