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I was glueing on a fretboard this Am and wanted to drill small holes for registration pins to stop it sliding around, as Robbie does in his dvd. I had a 1/16 drill bit but it looked rather big,
I had no 1/16 finishing nails I hate small drill bits and I could just see it tryin to get away from me and ruining the edge of a FB kerf. I Put a sewing machine needle in the drill...perfect .055 hole like hot knife through butter, no skating on contact. tried it through a rosewood bridge blank 5/16 thick same result. probably a dozen other uses for them aswell.

That is a cool tip Steve!
Will definitely give that a try.

Thanks,
Joe

Did you use the same needle for the pin?

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Gabriel Regalbuto
Carlsbad, California
Freedom 35!

Not worried about any splitting?

Yes, that exactly. And really, that is quite appropos and witty.

But, I guess if it can get between a fret slot, then it is no worry. Hey, I ask about everything before I try it now. Too many errors.

Mike

Going to try this and if it works I'll put a poster of you in my shop. Not strange considering I've glued all my 4 FBs so far without registration pins, it wasn't fun

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Build log

That is a good trick, i like to chuck anything that is pointy at one end into a cordless. Brads, nails, bits of brass with a filed point. I had not thought of sewing needles yet, the only danger i can see is S.O. wondering where her needles went.

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Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY

I drill 2 holes in fretslots and use a toothpick to register the board to the neck.I then go back with the fret saw to clean the slots before fretting.Works great for me.

I use a 1/16th inch aluminum rod for pins. Drill straight through a slot and insert the aluminum pin. Has to go below the slot of course.

I use the same aluminum welding rod for side dots on ebony and rosewood, dual purpose.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

For attemps using this, be aware that the torque from a clamp can tear the holes and slide the board out of alignment. Do not just assume that you are safely aligned because there are pins. For example, if you use a C-clamp, probably you can redue the chance of damage by putting the cast side of the clamp on the board side, but I am not sure. Anyway, draw clamps down slowly and check the alignment.