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| Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=50529 |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 2:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
I need to drill a hole for a pickup jack. The guitar has no hole currently. It has been finished. Would it better to just go ahead and use a brad point bit at the required size or would it be safer to start with a smaller bit and use a step bit to enlarge the hole to the required size? Opinions please... |
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| Author: | Michaeldc [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 2:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
I use a 5/16 brad point followed by my stewmac reamer. Expencive but it's a pleasure to use and it does a flawless job. http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... eamer.html |
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| Author: | Woodie G [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 2:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
We drill a 3/16" hole with a brad point, then follow with a step drill, opening to 15/32" (12mm). The hole can be carefully completed with a 15/32" twist drill to remove the stepped areas, but it is much safer to use a 15/32" chucked fluted reamer to complete the work. A more expensive but quicker solution is the brad point to start and the Stewart MacDonald tapered reamer sold for this purpose. |
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| Author: | Freeman [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 2:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
Another vote for the tapered reamer. I puckered up an bought one when I saw a picture of a chipped out finish on an expensive guitar, its paid for itself over and over ( I charge an hour of labor to install a pickup including reaming the hole. It was paid for on the second job). The problem that I have with a step bit is that unless the biggest step is your final size you end up with steps in the end block that you still have to remove with a straight bit or,  , a reamer....
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| Author: | J De Rocher [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 3:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
Michaeldc wrote: I use a 5/16 brad point followed by my stewmac reamer. Expencive but it's a pleasure to use and it does a flawless job. http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... eamer.html I do the same. Works great. |
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| Author: | dpetrzelka [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 4:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
I do the same as well—that reamer is one of those investments you never question again. Makes it so easy, and really cuts the risk of a real mess to clean up. Michaeldc wrote: I use a 5/16 brad point followed by my stewmac reamer. Expencive but it's a pleasure to use and it does a flawless job.
http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... eamer.html |
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| Author: | Woodie G [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
Both step drill and reamer are equally kind to delicate lacquer finishes, and any separation will likely occur when the hole is drilled with the brad-point, versus bringing the hole to final size with step drill or reamer. The smaller the hole, the more chance that any delamination will be reamed away as the hole is opened, but the initial hole must be large enough to take the step drill (1/8" minimum) or tapered specialty reamer (1/4" minimum). If only a few jacks are to be installed, brad-point, step drill (we've found the $12 set of 3 from Harbor Freight works about as well as the single $20 1/8"-1/2" version from Irwin), and 15/32" HSS reamer costs about half of what the StewMac specialty tool does. For a shop routinely engaged in repair work or for a builder fitting pickups on a regular basis, the time saved by using two tools versus three for the job will repay the higher initial cost over the first dozen or so installations. |
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| Author: | Alex Kleon [ Tue Apr 17, 2018 5:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
You can start by cutting though the finish with the brad point bit in reverse. You won’t get that fast grab that causes the chip out. Alex |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
I've done quite a few with brad point bits and a standard reamer but it's a PITA, there's a real risk of chipping the finish and the hole doesn't fit as well as it should. I finally got the StewMac reamer and now it's a trivial and no stress process - worth it for me. |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
I got it done using a 3/16' bit first, followed by a step drill bit I got from Northern Tool, and then finishing with a 1/2" twist bit. No chips, but I can certainly see that a reamer is a good idea if I do many more... |
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| Author: | Goodin [ Sat Apr 21, 2018 11:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Brad Point or Step Bit for Pickup Jack Hole? |
I also use the StewMac reamer and love it. One of the best tools I have bought from SM. Only thing to watch out for is using it on smaller thin body instruments; it's possible to drill into braces since the reamer is so long. |
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