Installing kluson style tuners

Got a Wilky set in from Guitarfetish, with conversion bushings. A couple of install questions. The holes are still a bit too tight for the bushings, so I think a turn or 2 on my pointy wood reamer in those holes will open them up just enough for a nice press fit. Any need to do this slight ream from the back side too, so the hole is the same diameter on both sides?

Next, what's the best way to line them up and keep them from moving around while I mark the pilot holes for the screws? If I place them in the holes, and run a straight edge up against the sides, they could still move slightly while I mark the holes. The last set I installed, the E,A,D string tuners were perfect, but the other three drifted off a bit somehow, and I felt unwanted resistance and heard what sounded like a metal on wood sqeak when I turned the peg. Any suggestions?

Got a Wilky set in from Guitarfetish,
Next, what's the best way to line them up and keep them from moving around while I mark the pilot holes for the screws? If I place them in the holes, and run a straight edge up against the sides, they could still move slightly while I mark the holes. The last set I installed, the E,A,D string tuners were perfect, but the other three drifted off a bit somehow, and I felt unwanted resistance and heard what sounded like a metal on wood sqeak when I turned the peg. Any suggestions?

Hmmm, I did not know that.

I hadn't had that problem with the Gotoh "klusons". I guess the fit of the post inside the bush is more precise.

Perhaps you could lightly clamp 4 foot long wooden rulers, up and down, above and below, the hold the machines in place. I like to mark the spot, remove the tuners, then drill to keep a better eye on alignment.

Dremel makes a small diameter sanding bit for their tools. I use that to open up the holes slightly. But, you might want to try the Kluson bushings - they're a bit smaller in diamter than the GF bushings. They're .397" or just over 10mm. It's an either make the hole bigger or the bushing smaller deal.

Any need to do this slight ream from the back side too, so the hole is the same diameter on both sides?

Can't think of any reason to do that.

The last set I installed, the E,A,D string tuners were perfect, but the other three drifted off a bit somehow, and I felt unwanted resistance and heard what sounded like a metal on wood sqeak when I turned the peg. Any suggestions?


How did you drill the holes...... drill press......... hand drill? If you mark the holes and dont drill exactly on the mark the screw might be putting a side load on the tuner housing forcing the shaft against one side of bushing.

When I install them, I press a straight edge against the bottom edge and clamp it in place. Then I drill through the screw holes installing the screws as I move from one tuner to the next.

I just got through installing some kluson style tuners and I did it exactly like jwells393 described only I used a pin vise (http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=21105) as I find drills and dremels a little too unwieldy for such precision screw placement. They came out perfectly aligned.

Just install each screw as you go like Jack said and to help the screws go in a little easier in hard maple, light a candle and dip the threads of the screws in the wax before you twist them in.

I scrap my screws into hand soup....to make them go in easier.

Steve

Since I build mostly 12 string telies these days I get a lot of practice installing kluson type tuners. After the bushings are installed I like to put a strip of masking tape on the tuner side running the length of the tuners. I mark a center line on the tape so I have the alignment issue whipped. I cut the tape out of the tuner holes with a sharp exacto knife. Next I drop all the tuners in place and use the straight edge to align them on the centerline. I mark the holes with an awl and remove the tuners. I drill and counter drill the pilot holes. Most of the time I remember to remove the tape! I have yet to make a template that I trust to do all the hole locations.
Rob
The Tele12 guy

Next, what's the best way to line them up and keep them from moving around while I mark the pilot holes for the screws? If I place them in the holes, and run a straight edge up against the sides, they could still move slightly while I mark the holes. The last set I installed, the E,A,D string tuners were perfect, but the other three drifted off a bit somehow, and I felt unwanted resistance and heard what sounded like a metal on wood sqeak when I turned the peg. Any suggestions?

Here's how I did it - complete with pictures and my mistakes (for what it's worth...) - Intall Kluson Tuners on Tele (http://www.higgydude.com/tuners/63-tele-tuners.asp)