New bridge pins - to sand or to drill?

[guitar4fun]

According to several posts, when folks install new bridge pins that are initially a bit too big, they either carefully enlarge the holes in the bridge or sand down the pins. I'm in the later camp. If I were to make the holes too large, it would be more difficult/expensive to make them smaller again. On the other hand, if I sand down the pins too much, it's relatively cheap to buy another set of pins and try again.

As for a technique to sand down the pins, I use a variable speed drill, a small file (even a nail file may work) and a 1" piece of 1/4" landscape drip line. The drip line works great to hold the pin. Just insert the narrow end of the pin into the drip line - maybe 3/8" - and then put the drip line all the way into drill chuck until it's flush with the outside and gently tighten it. I usually sand for no more than 10 seconds at a time, and then see if it fits. Rinse and repeat until it fits perfectly. And because I am extra picky/lazy, I use a thin permanent marker to mark each pin with its hole number so I don't have to guess each time I change strings.

[muscmp]

you haven't stated that they are in fact too big. did you buy the correct size? if so, then i would sand the pins very carefully. reaming the holes can be done with a correct reaming tool. i've done bridgeslotomys on my guitars but with the proper tools. good idea on identifying the respective pins with a marker.

play music!

[lowrider]

I’m with you. Work on he least expensive part. What would you rather mess up, a $2000 guitar or a $2 pin?

I just lay a sheet of sandpaper on a flat surface and sand by hand. Each bone pin takes a couple of minutes. Fast enough for me.

[fazool]

Here is my thread on how I do it

[Paddy1951]

Originally Posted by RCW

According to several posts, when folks install new bridge pins that are initially a bit too big, they either carefully enlarge the holes in the bridge or sand down the pins. I'm in the later camp. If I were to make the holes too large, it would be more difficult/expensive to make them smaller again. On the other hand, if I sand down the pins too much, it's relatively cheap to buy another set of pins and try again.



As for a technique to sand down the pins, I use a variable speed drill, a small file (even a nail file may work) and a 1" piece of 1/4" landscape drip line. The drip line works great to hold the pin. Just insert the narrow end of the pin into the drip line - maybe 3/8" - and then put the drip line all the way into drill chuck until it's flush with the outside and gently tighten it. I usually sand for no more than 10 seconds at a time, and then see if it fits. Rinse and repeat until it fits perfectly. And because I am extra picky/lazy, I use a thin permanent marker to mark each pin with its hole number so I don't have to guess each time I change strings.

Buy better pins.

Pins come from many sources. They can be dirt cheap on ebay. But who knows what size they are even if they specify a size. Bridge pins are a cottage industry, not always very good. If it's ebony for $2.49 a set...

I have purchased numerous sets of pins from Shabbychick. (On ebay.) They are made by Gurian. They fit Taylors, Seagulls, Guilds, Gibsons. They fit with little or no sanding/reaming. Very well made pins.
Stewmac sells pins for Martins. I bought a bone set of pins from them. Nearly a perfect fit. VERY light sanding with extremely fine emery cloth.

None of these pins were cheap. None were real expensive either.

Shabbychick's pins come in quite a variety of woods. Stewmac's are more limited but they still have a good selection. Bone, Snakewood, Ebony, more.

Reaming pin holes requires an expensive, but good reamer. Too much expense, too much of a chance of messing up. The cheap reamers do not cut the proper taper.

When in doubt, pay a good luthier to do the job.

Save your guitar.

[guitar4fun]

Originally Posted by lowrider

...I just lay a sheet of sandpaper on a flat surface and sand by hand. ...

Speed isn't my objective, but I don't think I could keep 'em round this way.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by RCW

Speed isn't my objective, but I don't think I could keep 'em round this way.

read reply #4

[Edgar Poe]

Simple answer.

Which is cheaper if you make a mistake.
Buying new pins, or replacing the bridge ?

Ed

[guitar4fun]

Originally Posted by fazool

read reply #4

Similar techniques. Mine's the version for those who don't own a drill press. But same concept. Both make nice round pins.

[AcousticDreams]

Originally Posted by fazool

Here is my thread on how I do it

Excellent Technique fazool!

I have mostly just hand sanded many of mine, which allowed me to check often with calipers or just hand check in the hole. But I like the method you have created. I have also used a SnapZ pin puller to hold the pin while hand sanding.

I have purchased lots and lots of pins.(I could have bought an new guitar with the money I have spent on pins!) I liked LMI cause they always were oversized, which allowed me to custom fit to perfection. However they do not make the two Wood choices, that I now prefer. I get most of mine from shabbychick which as stated are made by Gurian. However they are usually undersized a tiny bit. Which is o.k... just not super tight fit that I got when oversized & sanded down.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Edgar Poe

Simple answer.

Which is cheaper if you make a mistake.
Buying new pins, or replacing the bridge ?

Ed

This ! Pins, however expensive are secondary to the instrument. I have small wooden blocks that fit in a vice and take the pins in holes, so I can sand them down with strips of sandpaper. I got these blocks with a set of pins, and keep them in my guitar toolbox.

[guitar4fun]

Originally Posted by Paddy1951

Buy better pins...

I realize this is somewhat subjective, but for the record they are Graphtech Tusq pins. I used their traditional style which initially would not sit down to the collar where I wanted it. Their presentation style would have been too small.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by RCW

According to several posts, when folks install new bridge pins that are initially a bit too big, they either carefully enlarge the holes in the bridge or sand down the pins. I'm in the later camp. If I were to make the holes too large, it would be more difficult/expensive to make them smaller again. On the other hand, if I sand down the pins too much, it's relatively cheap to buy another set of pins and try again.

^^^^^^Enough said.^^^^^^ It just makes sense!

[ManyMartinMan]

Never had to do either. Buy the correct pins from a reputable person/company and they will fit.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

Never had to do either. Buy the correct pins from a reputable person/company and they will fit.

Old and worn bridges need oversized pins and they don't come in perfectly sized increments.

Also some manufacturers (ahem! Ibanez) use very oddball sizes.