Neck bolt drilling jig

[mac007]

hi

Any suggestions for a simple drilling jig to ensure mortise and tenon bolt holes are straight and aligned?

cheers

mac

[kiwigeo]

See Gore and Gilets Books for simple jig.

[mac007]

Thanks Martin,

I was hoping to avoid exposing my metalworking skills.

I thought about using an alloy block to make the drilling of 2 x 30mm x 6.5 holes a bit easier but suspect after a few uses the soft metal would 'chew out' and end up leaving a sloppy over sized guide hole.

I guess steel it is then.

Thanks

mac

[kiwigeo]

Yes soft metal and wooden jigs don't really cut it. Having a friend who's a machinist is very handy.

[WJ Guitars]

Another jig option that is costly from 'Elevate Luthier' is also very good. See link and photo below.

https://elevatelutherie.com/product/variable-mt/

Wayne

[56nortondomy]

I've been drilling mine with no jigs for about 14 years. I drill the neck block holes in the drill press when I make it. When the neck is ready to go on I put it in position and use a transfer punch through the sound hole into the holes in the neck block and mark the tenon, then I drill that with a battery drill. I use barrel nuts, it's simple and effective. Wayne

[kiwigeo]

I've been drilling mine with no jigs for about 14 years. I drill the neck block holes in the drill press when I make it. When the neck is ready to go on I put it in position and use a transfer punch through the sound hole into the holes in the neck block and mark the tenon, then I drill that with a battery drill. I use barrel nuts, it's simple and effective. Wayne

So you drill the barrel holes through side of the tenon after tenon has been cut and neck fitted? How do you deal with break out while drilling the tenon barrel holes and how do you ensure precise line up of bolt and barrel holes? Would love a tutorial on this method if you have the time Wayne.

I've often thought of a similar method but with the tenon bolt holes drilled by running the drill bit through the head block from inside the guitar and into the guitar. That way the drill is guided by the headblock holes.

[56nortondomy]

I don't get tear out Martin. You just need to make sure the under side of the tenon is on a block of timber. It really is a simple method it works well and it's cost affective, I just buy the bolts and nuts on eBay. I'll get some photos of how I do it. Wayne

[Taffy Evans]

Hi, this unit has served me for 20-odd years, although it is mark 3. As a repairer and builder, I sometimes have to convert different brands of necks from different guitars to a bolt-on system. This jig allows me the flexibility to do this. It will also accommodate other instrument necks.

The jig is made from "found" materials, but I bought the drill press new, which I thought was an expensive way to go at the time. However, seeing the cost of the jigs shown here, I'm well in front.

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I have room for it, it works, so no need to change it.

Taff

[Taffy Evans]

Hi again, here is my method for transferring the bolt-hole positions onto the heal. Pretty much as mentioned above.

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Taff

[nkforster]

To cut the mortise and drill the holes:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv_L_iLg2y3/

To transfer the holes:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-6mm-d ... k_p0466327

[Trevor Gore]

You can make a jig up using drill bushings (and it looks like Nigel did exactly that).

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The screw-in drill guide bushings came from Lee Valley Tools:

https://www.leevalley.com/en-gb/search# ... Results=25

One is made of Tufnol, the other Perspex, but wood works too. The "built up" one is 25mm between centers, the other is 30mm. However you make this jig, be careful to make sure everything is square and the bores are parallel. As per the book, you can use it for both the body and neck drillings.

[kiwigeo]

A few different bolt on set ups. In terms of strength and low risk of failure I like Trevor's method with the bolts screwing into a brass square bar set into the heel block..but a chisel mortiser is required to drill the hole for the bar.

Inserts in the heel block.....risk of the inserts pulling out?

Bolts locking into a barrel nut on the heel block.....ideally some reinforcement of the tenon should be added and lining up barrel nut and bolt holes can be an issue.

[WJ Guitars]

Here is another alternative option if you don't want to use barrels similar to the square bar in Trevor' design except that it is a round bar insert into the heel. See Youtube link and photo. The video by 'RedTree' includes his method of installation of a round cylinder bar. This video also includes a similar method of construction for a bolt on neck joint and drilling the bolt on holes using a machined jig that is similar to the 'Elevate' jig system mentioned in this posting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_RHgngGWMk

Wayne