euler357 - Posted - 09/12/2024:  13:19:59

I just reamed out some friction peg holes to 3/8 for modern (Rickard) tuners and wanted to share that this reamer worked fantastic to make a non-tapered hole with zero chipout issues.

amazon.com/dp/B0CFJBVGYM

Edited by - euler357 on 09/12/2024 13:20:36

anonymonachos - Posted - 09/12/2024:  13:41:41

I wish I had seen this a week ago. I made a mess of a peghead that I just drilled out last week. Not an expensive instrument, but I like clean work regardless. I saved this if I ever do something like that again. Thanks for the link

banjered - Posted - 09/12/2024:  14:21:04

I'll be curious what regular wood workers will say about this. It looks like any other drill bit prone to causing raged holes/chips where you don't want them. Perhaps you had a better quality of wood not prone to chipping. But if it works great and consistently I am all for it. banjered

RioStat - Posted - 09/12/2024:  15:28:42

quote:

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Originally posted by banjered

I'll be curious what regular wood workers will say about this. It looks like any other drill bit prone to causing raged holes/chips where you don't want them. Perhaps you had a better quality of wood not prone to chipping. But if it works great and consistently I am all for it. banjered

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This bit on Amazon is a tapered, 5 fluted reamer bit, not a twist drill

euler357 - Posted - 09/12/2024:  17:01:58

It is a reamer which is not cutting as aggressively as a drill bit. I cut an 1880 dobson with this so it wasn't especially stable wood but quite brittle and did a great job for me. I have used it on exactly 4 holes where it worked great but I can't vouch for all situations. The taper is more gradual than others I have and the final part of it is 3/8 so it makes a straight (not tapered) hole.

Banner Blue - Posted - 09/12/2024:  17:36:36

I use this bit for enlarging tuning machine holes on player grade vintage banjos. Dull as can be and not at all prone to grabbing. I would never use a regular drill bit. NEVER.

wileypickett - Posted - 09/12/2024:  22:45:13

I also wouldn't use this bit with a power drill.

It takes a little more effort to enlarge the hole by hand, but you have far more control and the bit is less likely to get away from you.

jfhascall - Posted - 09/15/2024:  16:51:57

Very nice. The down-cutting action will leave the entry surface very clean. I'd love to know what the taper specification is as utility reamers are different from violin reamers.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 09/18/2024:  14:51:11

This reamer intrigued me, so I bought one.



As most folks will use it to enlarge holes in the pegheads of vintage banjos I took a scrap of mahogany 9/16" thick and drilled 2 1/4" holes, the most common diameter of a friction tuning peg hole.



To spin the reamer you nave to have something that will grab it. I had a tap wrench that fit the end. I also mounted the reamer in my drill press.



Results: The hand reamed hole was about .390 in diameter when done. You can install a Gotoh or other 3/8" shaft tuner in the hole and it will be stable, but really, the hole was a bit sloppy.



Using the drill press, set on the slowest speed, worked better. When done, the hole was .380", only slightly bigger than 3/8". the hole also came out cleaner.



I think this a tool I can recommend for folks that are not going to be installing tuners often. It is inexpensive and does the job.



My long time tuner hole enlarging technique is to fill the peghead holes and use a forstner bit mounted in a drill press for a precision hole.





Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

euler357 - Posted - 09/18/2024:  19:09:14

I used a variable speed hand drill at very slow speed. I've used these type of reamers with good results in aluminum in the past with good results also.

I had plywood with 1/4 holes (aligned to the existing hole with a dowel) clamped to the peghead for the first one. It went well so I reamed the other 3 without the plywood on it.

Bob - thanks for your efforts and opinion on this.

DSmoke - Posted - 09/19/2024:  18:04:34

I was also intrigued and bought one. I have not used it yet but will report back when I do. Thanks euler357 for the post and Bob Smakula for your comment. I'm getting tired of filing the hourglass!

DSmoke - Posted - 10/20/2024:  19:02:31

I nervously used this and wow, it worked great. The days of filing might be gone. Thanks Chris.

Edited by - DSmoke on 10/20/2024 19:03:04

euler357 - Posted - 10/20/2024:  19:09:54

Glad that it worked for you Dan :)