Drilling pilot holes in the neck heel

[Paul1983]

I'm cluing up my LNG build and I need to drill the pilot holes for the neck screws. I DONT have a drill press, are there any other methods for drilling those holes and insuring they are put in straight? Or should I strongly consider taking the neck somewhere?

-Paul

[guitvai1]

I'd definitely use a drill press. You should consider just buying one at Home Depot or Canadian Tire. They are not that expensive. If you are like me the guitar building process becomes addictive very fast and you'll get your moneys worth out of that press in a short period of time. If you are dead set against buying one you could try at your local High School to see if they'll let you use the equipment.

[Rich]

It's not rocket science keeping a drill perpendicular for a 1/2" deep hole. I freehand them and have never had a problem. Just mark the depth on the bit so you don't overdrill.

[Paul1983]

Originally Posted by Rich

It's not rocket science keeping a drill perpendicular for a 1/2" deep hole. I freehand them and have never had a problem. Just mark the depth on the bit so you don't overdrill.

Yeah that's what I'm leaning more towards doing. This is most likely going to be the only guitar build I ever do. So buying a drill press is going to be a waste of money at this time.

[Rich]

I usually drill most of the depth with the neck hand clamped in the pocket,, at the very least this is how to mark the starter holes using a bit the size of the body holes just to make a V hole that will center the smaller bit/hole for the actual screws.

[Paul1983]

I never even thought of clamping it down in the pocket. Thanks for chiming in, you just saved me some $$ and time.

[Rich]

Hand clamp, put it in the pocket with the headstock pointing straight up so gravity doesn't affect anything and it's fully seated in the pocket, line it up so it's perfect, hold it tight while you drill.

[Paul1983]

Gotcha, I'll be doing this over the holidays. Thanks

[AlaskaBat]

Originally Posted by Rich

Hand clamp, put it in the pocket with the headstock pointing straight up so gravity doesn't affect anything and it's fully seated in the pocket, line it up so it's perfect, hold it tight while you drill.

Yep!

And to make sure you don't drill through to the board--mark your depth on the bit with a strip of masking tape.