How do i drill the neck holes in a body?

[Ivan]

I have a Fender neck with the neck holes already drilled...
and i have a custom made body with none of the neck holes...

anyone have a tip on this so that they line up?

[quackerz]

Ivan, this is how I do it:

I took an old set of neck screws and cut them down to about 1/2" in length. Then I put them in a drill, put the drill on at low speed and used a Dremel sander to create centered points on the other end of the screws.

Then I screwed them into the neck until only the point protruded. I strung up the two E strings loosely to make sure the side-to-side angle was correct, and when it was, I pressed the neck into the pocket creating 4 indentations where I needed to drill.

I used this method 4 times and it works perfectly.

[cacibi]

You can make a handy locating tool by tracing a neck plate on some cardboard.

[0le FUZZY]

Originally Posted by quackerz

Ivan, this is how I do it:

I took an old set of neck screws and cut them down to about 1/2" in length. Then I put them in a drill, put the drill on at low speed and used a Dremel sander to create centered points on the other end of the screws.

Then I screwed them into the neck until only the point protruded. I strung up the two E strings loosely to make sure the side-to-side angle was correct, and when it was, I pressed the neck into the pocket creating 4 indentations where I needed to drill.

I used this method 4 times and it works perfectly.

...Rite arm!!!!

...That iss the very bess way I haff found tew dew witt.

...Or yew kin jes cut the wood screw and screw witt in backerds and remove it with a set of vice grips.



(deranged internet-based alter ego, with my own lexicon and all.)

Please visit my page

[Clive Hugh]

If you go to the Buttercaster thread you will see it done step by step.
Clive

[keto]

made this earlier this week, carefully sanded to tight neck pocket dimensions, measured & drilled thru with drill press. 2nd try yielded one that worked for 2 body/neck combos, so I'm keepin it ;)

Just put the screw thru the block far enough to mark the pocket, then drill press once again thru the body/pocket. Without the block in there :)

[120BPM]

Ivan - there is a detailed thread - posted recently - in strat discussion forum. Its titled 'Tips on installing a new neck'. Check it out

[Tedecaster]

Keto, that's a regular production line you've got going there.

[Ivan]

thanks for the reply.

by the way... how important is the alignment of the neck holes beside the obvious (string spacing and action)?
What about tuning stability and the tensions of the strings?