My first build: DTL-1

[gpjt]

Well at least bridge looks nicely centred using the middle mounting screw.

Are you using the bridge as a template when you start your holes?

Not quite, and that probably contributed to the mess I made of it -- with the bridge in place, I used a small drill bit to make a hole of a mil or so depth in the centre of the hole in the bridge, and then used that as a starting point for drilling when the bridge was off. I must have somehow drifted from there.

Also, if you think you may do another build, another small but worthwhile investment maybe a portable drill guide (if a drill press is not a practical option). And I'm sure you'd find other uses for it too.

There are heaps of different ones available but I just grabbed the first one I found in a google search. There are also DIY options as well. Check out U-toob...

Here's an Amazon AU one I found: Portable Drill Guide

That does look useful -- if the next time, using just hand tools, doesn't work out, then that's the next step...

[Sonic Mountain]

Thanks for that McCreed, I've had my eye out for one of those for a while.

[McCreed]

Another small but good investment that is very handy for these kinds of jobs, is a set of Transfer Punches.

They're calibrated steel punches made specifically for transferring the centre of an existing hole to another piece of material (wood, steel etc). They're great for accurately marking screw holes in the heel of a neck from a body.

Again, I've just linked an Amazon page that shows them. You can get them lots of other places too.
Small investment, big benefit...

Transfer Punch Set

[Cliff Rogers]

Yup.
On eBay too.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/28Pcs-Tr...IAAOSwSe1dQlCl
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Transfer...YAAOSwsl9bn2s1

[Simon Barden]

Why are all the transfer punch sets that I can find all Imperial? The vast majority of guitar-based holes (at least on non-US guitars) are going to be metric. Obviously you can get pretty close with an Imperial set, but the perfectionist in me wants a 3mm hole to use a 3mm transfer punch.

[Bakersdozen]

Why are all the transfer punch sets that I can find all Imperial? The vast majority of guitar-based holes (at least on non-US guitars) are going to be metric. Obviously you can get pretty close with an Imperial set, but the perfectionist in me wants a 3mm hole to use a 3mm transfer punch.

A set of metric brad-point bits would double as a transfer punch

[Simon Barden]

This is true.

[Cliff Rogers]

This set is metric.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Transfer...YAAOSwsl9bn2s1

[McCreed]

I did a quick search on eBay UK and found metric sets as well.

A set of metric brad-point bits would double as a transfer punch

That's true but I find the "dimple" left by a transfer punch just a little more true than the flat shape of a brad point (even twisting it). I know we're not talking about micro-surgery here, but I'm a bit OCD with this stuff

Also if using with steel, I wouldn't want to tap the tip of my good brad point bits into it with a hammer.

[Simon Barden]

I've found some metric sets in the UK that aren't sold on Amazon. I closed my eBay account some years back and don't want to start a new one. No immediate need for them, so will wait until there is before ordering.