Pegbox drilling jig

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Robinm
Gidgee
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2022 2:58 am
Location: South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

Pegbox drilling jig

Post by Robinm » Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:56 pm

On more than one occasion, after bushing a violin pegbox, I've managed to ruin it by re-drilling the holes badly. I've always found this task difficult as there isn't an obvious reference point.

I've thought about making a jig for some time now and having just made a complete pig's ear of another bushing...
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The jig, made from MDF, allows the pegbox to be firmly clamped in place onto my bench top bench, which in turn, allows sufficient clearance for the violin body.
IMG_20220629_131722.jpg
An engineer's square is used to ensure the upper walls of the pegbox; the most reliable reference point, are parallel to the axis of the drill. A steel drill guide is mounted in the bridge attachment which can be moved to the required position.

The jig could be used with a drill press but I always feel I can restrict the potential damage if I use a hand drill. There may be some shouting and throwing of heavy objects about later this afternoon on its test run, if I manage to destroy another bushing.
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sebastiaan56
Blackwood
Posts: 1279
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:23 am
Location: Blue Mountains

Re: Pegbox drilling jig

Post by sebastiaan56 » Mon Jul 04, 2022 6:53 pm

Nice way to handle a prick of a job.
make mine fifths........

Robinm
Gidgee
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2022 2:58 am
Location: South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

Re: Pegbox drilling jig

Post by Robinm » Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:20 pm

Unfortunately it wasn't too much of a success. Even with the drill guide clamped very firmly to the bench it woobled horribly. I ended up just drilling freehand with the engineers square along side as a reference. That gave a better result than my previous attempts. I thought I'd try drilling a guide hole on the bushing; I usually turn my own from pen blanks. Have you ever done this?

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sebastiaan56
Blackwood
Posts: 1279
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:23 am
Location: Blue Mountains

Re: Pegbox drilling jig

Post by sebastiaan56 » Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:04 pm

I havent, Ive only tried to fix up my own stuff ups. I ended up using a hand drill.
make mine fifths........

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