Enlarging Pot and Switch Holes

[7string]

I'm rewiring a foreign made Schecter guitar and my new pots and LP selector switch won't fit in the holes. The old ones are too cheap and beat up.

Looks like I need to enlarge the holes in the body a bit. Should i use a file, hand drill, or drill press? I really am trying to avoid a hammer mechanic moment. Any advice would be appreciated.

Also, should I worry about the touching up the little bit of conductive paint that I will be drilling out of the inside of the hole?

Thanks.

 

[simonallaway]

I'd recommend careful use of a tapered reamer of this kind:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reamer#Tapered_reamer_.28non-precision.29

They allow you to work slowly and deliberately by hand, with just a few twists each attempt.

If you have a dremel tool, the small sandpaper-like grinder bit would work well too.

[G._Hoffman]

Yup, a reamer is the right tool.  But you probably don't want to pay for one, because they are expensive, so you might see if your local repair shop has one and will ream out the holes if you bring it in sans pots.  It probably only needs two or three half-twists per hole.  They are really close.

I would strongly recommend against using a drill bit, as they almost always either wander or leave an oval hole.  If you really must, it is probably best to glue a plug in the hole, and start fresh using a brad point bit, but that probably won't work very well either as there is usually finish on the inside edge of those holes.


Gabriel

[7string]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll check into buying a reamer.

[jjasilli]

I have had good results with a hand-held Unibit, gently using it to ream in both directions. 

[Justa]

I have been using tapered reamers to enlarge holes for many years.  I have gotten payback many times over.  Well worth the $12 plus shipping for a good one.  The cost of one butchered hole can be much more.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=tapered+reamer&x=0&y=0

[G._Hoffman]

I have been using tapered reamers to enlarge holes for many years.  I have gotten payback many times over.  Well worth the $12 plus shipping for a good one.  The cost of one butchered hole can be much more.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=tapered+reamer&x=0&y=0

Just for the record, that's not a good one.  Its an adequate one.  I've got several good ones, but then I use them a lot more often than most people.  They cost a lot more than that.  I also dislike the reamers that are fluted all the way around.  The half fluted ones make it a lot easier to keep the hole round.


Gabriel

[7string]

I had a new 3/8" unibit and it worked well. Time for the JB and 59.

Thanks for the advice.