How to drill straight string through ferrule holes on a guitar 

Great video! if you reverse the order of the last two drill bits you will minimize the chance of tear out.

The algorithm just gifted this excellent video to me. I made a cheap Tele kit that has nice wood. I’m going back and replacing all the rest of the “not wood” I didn’t do for the original build except the frets, including a string-through conversion. I’m just very patiently waiting for my pickups to test fit everything. This jig is much more reliable than anything I’ve read, and a lot like shop jigs I use for normal woodworking. Brilliant. I may just have to over engineer it a bit more 😂

Yeah, nice work. You DO want to cut the shoulder BEFORE the main hole. This gives the point stability and prevents the chipping you mention.

I'm legitimately mad I didn't find this video sooner. Super helpful!

Daaaaaang! This is too good! The concept is so totally simple and perfect, I love it! I tried sooooo hard to figure out how to do this right, and it did turn out decently, but your method is all I'll ever use in the future. So easy!

This is an excellent video, thanks. I am one of those people who has had endless problems with this, mainly because my drill press doesn't have the throat depth to reach where the drilling has to happen. Also, if the top of your guitar has any kind of contour (or even irregularity) your reference surface is more difficult to work with. But the index pin is definitely the way to go. Thanks again.

Thanks for the lesson. No wonder your guitars look so freaking awesome.

Brilliant!

This is great. Better than how i've been doing it. Thanks

Reminds me of how a pin router works. Very cool method. Thanks

I take a small set pin to make a dent in the center of the hole…then 1/8” drill bit to start with…then the size of drill bit for steing sleeve…work Everytime…Then I use a counter sink for Ferrell lip..

That’s genius! Thanks for sharing

Holy cow thank you! Right on! I knew there was a better way to do this.

I will use this. Thanks for the tip

The best way to drill holes on a guitar is to use a plunge router, don't use standard bits, I use a Collette for a CNC router and extra long 1/8 spiral router bit

WoW, great tip there!!

Great video. Not taught at luthier school. Not in my notes.

Thanks! This will be most helpful

I actually found an even easier way. If you mount a piece of wood, about a s thick as the guitar minus an inch or so, fixed to the drill table, you can drill a hole with the diameter of you string holes in it - deep enough that you can stick a fitting drill bit into it to use as a reference. This also assures that the drill position and the reference drill bit are automatically adjusted to be exactly on top of each other.

Great job

sweet video man. love my LEF guitar

Wander, lol, sometimes one just doesn't know any better. Thanks mich and good video for sure.m

i love it

Beginner question. Do you glue the ferrules in place or will they have enough friction with the wood that they won’t pop out?

You need a drill press with a big enough foot though.

Haven’t done one yet (that’s why I’m here…). If the drill has the capability, would tear-out be better avoided by drilling that flush hole in reverse?

GREAT!!!

great info, but oil the drillpress, please

I can see how your spacing will be accurate but how do you ensure that the holes are straight aligned with only one locating pin?

Why not use a plunge router?