Official Luthiers Forum!

So I boutght some very nice mother of pearl side dots - labelled as 2.35 mm - at the ASIA conference. Looking for the proper brad point bit for it. Looks like 3/32" is 2.38 mm - hmm - I've found that when drilling holes the hole is always just a skoshe (thanks, Robbie) bigger than the measurement of the bit. .03 mm doesn't sound like much but is 3/32" the right size for the drill bit for these dots? And if so, where would you suggest I get them? Thanks.

the first thing i would do is measure the side dots to see if they are sized as labeled. as you pointed out, .03 mm is not much at all, about .001" actually. LMI carries brad point bits in 3/32", but theres probably a much cheaper route. the brad point bit set that i have doesnt actually have a brad point on the smallest sizes. what a rip off, right?

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sweat the small stuff.

You shouldn't need to use a brad point bit. A standard twist bit does a fine job, if you make a good centre divot to start the bit.
I use a sharp (# 11 blade) X-Acto knife to make my centres. I spin it by hand 'till I have a fairly deep hole. You have to go gently, or you'll break the tip off.
This is the only way I have found to perfectly place the side markers.

here I use standard twist bits they are just fine

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Lee Valley sells individual BP bits. These are really nice quality. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... ,180,42240

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Many woodworking supply stores (Woodcraft, Rockler, etc.) carry brad point drills of various quality levels....

The usual caveats apply about getting what one pays for... There's a perfectly good reason that you can buy a huge box of drill bits for $19.99... or 1 high quality USA/German made drill bit for $19.99..... I got the $19.99 for a giant pile of nitride coated brad point bits made in China - and they are dull out of the box.... Wish I would have sprung for the German bits....

On your question of the right size... I would try drilling a test hole in scrap and see how the inlay dot fits.... It will also give you a good idea of how clean your drill bit cuts holes.... You really don't want a bunch of chipout around inlay dots... It just makes for about 10x more work.

Thanks

Fillipo just passed along a gem. If you didn't catch it here it is - get two sets of drill bits. Use the good set for good stuff only and it will last almost forever. Keep some cheaper utility sets around for when precision is not needed, replace/sharpen as necessary. I've done this for years with brad point, forstner, and standard twist drill bits.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Besides a set of fractional drills...........1/16"-1/2"........a set of number drills 1-60 are an awful nice thing to have. They fill in a lot of gaps. They are also a once in a lifetime buy unless you are extreamly busy drilling.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Thanks all, for the really great advice. I'll probably get two sets of brad points - one for keeps, the other for less precise work.