Acoustic Guitar Construction

Dave the only experimenting I've done is on one of our CNC machines.

As for the video -- bless him -- but lifes too short.

Chris Paulick is a little obsessive about how he does things. I can't watch those videos from work, but I am sure I have seen them. I would prefer to have the pockets but the valley approach was much easier. I have seen a tutorial on the OLF from a guy named CHris Ensor and his approach was a bit easier if I recall. It does require a few jigs to get the angles right for drilling the pockets.

Are these drilled using 'standard' drill bits, or are they something special?

I don't know. I can't find the tutorial. I'm going to look more later. I believe they were standard drill bits.

For steel string guitars 5/64" or #47 or #48 drill size will work OK. If a little larger that would work too. Got to have room for the ball end windings. McMaster Carr can supply just about any size --fast cheap shipping costs.

I will them out. Also for some small brass washers for the ball ends to seat against and prevent them from gnawing into the bridge.
Thanks