Not a huge amount of progress today.

Using the suggestions from jonwhitear I checked by bridge location and it did seem to be okay. It was good to verify that I was in the right place. After reading Eponymous recent diary entries I decided to try to centre max and min saddle postions over the scale line. This meant the bridge moved back slightly - but we're talking one two mm at most. I think I'm ready to drill.

I mentioned that want to do string through but don't have a drill press. So after finding this video I ordered the same drill block.

Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_8245.JPEG 
Views:	524 
Size:	438.0 KB 
ID:	39272

It arrived today so I did few practice runs with it using a method loosely based on the video. I used a scrap piece of pine a similar thickness to the body.

  1. Remove the saddles from the bridge (obvs)
  2. Clamp the bridge to the test piece (important - I'm not sure how to do this on the body with the clamps I have)
  3. The holes are 3mm on the bridge and 4mm on the drill block so I used a 3mm to drill 3 or 4 mm through the bridge into the piece along all six string holes.
  4. Remove the bridge and use the drill block with a 4mm bit to go as deep as I could - the drill block is too thick for the bit to go all the way though
  5. Without the drill block, drill all the way through one hole. I was flying free hand here and this is the riskiest step. I think it's important to push very gently on the drill and only take a few mm at a time to stop the drill from wandering off course
  6. Turn the piece over and use an old 3mm drill bit to locate the bridge and clamp it in the correct location. I used the edge of the work piece to make sure the bridge was square. I plan to use a combi square to do this on the body as per the vid
  7. Drill the remaining 5 holes through the bridge with the 3mm bit.
  8. Remove the bridge and widen clean and out all the holes using the block and the 4mm bit


Et Voila! Six holes that appear to exit the wood in a pretty neat straight line AND join up.

Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_8243.JPEG 
Views:	537 
Size:	435.8 KB 
ID:	39273Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_8242.JPEG 
Views:	515 
Size:	360.7 KB 
ID:	39274

But... I did have a problem:

Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_8244.jpeg 
Views:	538 
Size:	417.7 KB 
ID:	39275

What is the correct way to counter sink the ferrule holes? Everytime I tried this on my test piece it just ripped out horribly bettween the holes. I'm hoping that it's a combination of an old and blunt drill bit (I dont have a sharp one that size) and it being pine - which I think tears out easily?

My plan is to get some quality bits and try again. I think someone even makes a bit especially for ferrules?

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions so far - I'm really enjoying this process and learning a ton!