Bit sizes

[fender3x]

I am at the point of drilling some neck holes. I read online that I should use a bit size of 1/8" for the neck, and 3/16" for the body. But I remembered those tolerances being a bit tight in the past. I drilled some test holes and discovered that the best fit was using a 9/64" bit for the neck and a 13/64" bit for the body. That is 1/64" larger for each hole than what Fender says they should be... So I converted them to metric... 9/64" is almost exactly 3.5mm and 13/64" is almost exactly 5mm.

So here's my question: When you folks who use a rational system of measures drill your holes for bolt on necks, do you use 3.5mm and 5mm drill bits? Did everyone know but me?

The dumbest thing about the American adherence to SAE (aka Imperial) measurements is that we think we are adhering to SAE measurements, when we are secretly using the metric system...or at least approximating it by 64ths of an inch.

[Trevor Davies]

Hi fender3x.

Yes, I use a 3.5 mm bit for the neck, and 5 mm bit to widen the body's neck holes. That is for the PBG neck screws - I assume these are standard sizing!

I am too scared to answer the second question about who knows!