L-00 Kmg walnut-spruce log and very basic questions thread.

[mike-p]

Should i drill the pin holes in the saddle slot with the bridge held by the bridge setter and then use them to locate and clamp the bridge with the caul to drill the larger holes?

I'd rather drill when the bridge is held by the bridge setter but i don't see a way of having the caul in place at the same time.

Ah, nice typo Mike, warning the tape is unlikely to help but a little WARMING might have done the trick.

[TonyinNYC]

You can drill the two outer bridge pin holes without a caul. Go very slowly and let the drill bit do the work. Don't push on the drill. If you have a good, new, brad point bit, it will be fine. Then use a caul on the remaining holes if you like. I have yet to use a caul, but I do buy a new bit for this process each time I make a guitar. I also ise a smaller bit and then use my tapered reamer to get the holes to the correct size. No chip out except on my first guitar since I had no idea what I was doing. Having said that, the chip out was small and on the sides of the holes, not the part of the hole where the ball end rests, so I hope I will be fine in 30 years.

[mike-p]

thanks Tony, bought new bits and might be time for my stoneage drill again.

[TonyinNYC]

Isn't a stone age drill just a rock? I thought all stone aged tools were rocks of varying size and shape.

I would not recommend a rock.

[mike-p]

Don't knock the rock!

Put bridge in position. Piece of pee with ken's gadget. Drilled couple of holes with the hand drill. Went like a dream, no tearout. Didn't bother with the caul, drilled the lot, came out perfect. Very hard to resist not glueing everything and stringing it up without finish! AM resisting, nitro'll arrive Monday, nut shaping next I think. Also smoothed off the edges of the bridge a little and sanded smooth to 600 grit, looks really nice.

[mike-p]

Hi all. My nitro gear has arrived!

Should I do the nut before finishing?

Do I need to fill the little spruce tear-out?

Thanks all.

[mike-p]

Ok, made the nut, wasn't as scary as i was expecting. Did my best to the depth accurately but I left them very slightly higher than the 'zero fret' line and I can file a little more when it's all strung up.

Do I glue it on now? I would like to contour the edges into the FB and neck. I have titebond, epoxy and superglue, what shall i do it with?