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Anyone have an alternative (cheaper than a reaming tool) to tapering bridge pin holes?

I use a cheap electronics/plumbers tapered reamer ( I have had it for years, bought it a radio shack a long time ago) .. it worked out to 3.5 degrees - close enough, considering it cost about 6 bucks.

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Tony Karol
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I've used the tip section of a 3/16" round double cut tapered file in the past. Chucked in my hand drill and spun backwards worked well. The taper is very close to the same as a 3* pin.

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I as well use the tip of an file - I have an standard 8" mill file and the taper on the tip works perfectly for reaming pin holes.
I just filed the edges clean and ream by hand....

A machinist friend may have a tapered pin reamer. If memory serves me right,it would be a #3.

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It's not an alternative, but I've used this ($3.49 and decent quality):
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=66936

The included angle is 6 degrees (1/8 to 1/2 dia over 3.6")... seems fine for 5 deg pins. For 3 deg pins, I drill 3/16" through, then send the reamer down part way until the pin is fully seated.

But I like the file tang idea above... mine also measure 6 degrees.

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David Malicky

If you use 3 degree pins, this tool works OK

http://grizzly.com/products/3-Bridge-Pin-Reamer/H5808

Mike Franks
http://www.mjfranksguitar.com

For Canadian guys do you realize Grizzly won't ship to us in Canada, they have a deal with Busy Bee that prevents it. the pain is that Busy Bee does not sell any Luthier stuff, go figure.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
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Thanks for that bit of info, Fred. Good to know before i make an order, could also be why that won't ship me a catalog...

This thread came up very timely, as I was about to call in a favour for a bridge pin reaming with a friend this morning. I didn't feel that was worthwhile paying a lot for a reamer to use just for one guitar. I build classicals, and I have a Panormo copy that i am just about finished and it uses a pin bridge.

Anyway, inspired by the file tang idea, I went out into the shop last night and checked out one of these little needle files that I picked up on the cheap some years back. Wouldn't you know it, the taper was a perfect match for the 3 degree pins that I have! I just tapped off the little plastic cap on the handle, slipped it into the drill press, and it made a nice taper in a pre drilled hole.

I checked out another reamer that I inherited. While not a pin reamer, it was close (maybe 5 degrees?), but not as close as the little file which was perfect.

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