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I'm looking for some headless drill/guide bushings. MSC, Grainger, and McMaster-Carr all carry them, but they're more than I was expecting ($10-15 each). Is that really market rate, or is there a cheaper source?

I've always ended up at McMaster Carr. Hardened steel plus precision milling equals expensive. You might get lucky on ebay.

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You could try LeeValley. Not headless, not a great range of sizes, but you might be able to work something up.

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Trevor Gore, Luthier. Australian hand made acoustic guitars, classical guitars; custom guitar design and build; guitar design instruction.

http://www.goreguitars.com.au

You just need a bushing? What size and what for?

For work like most of us do you don't need precision machining or hardened bushing. Regular machined steel should work fine.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

They are available for much less , however most places mark them up several 100% because of the small amount people want . Its crazy , but thats way it is.

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I'm making something similar to the Enhanced Slotting Jig Stephen and Lance produced a few years ago. If my template weren't acrylic I wouldn't worry about it, but I'm concerned about screwing up the holes. Think it's a needless concern?

Zeke, I'm looking at either 1/8" or 3/32" inner diameter, 5/16" outer, 1/4" tall. Then 1/4" inner, appropriate outer, by a 1/4" tall.

Zeke works in machine shop , best bet for sure

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The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GET
The truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !
Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !
The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care Anymore
Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

James, I get my drill guide bushings here;
http://www.profhdwr.com/66120.htm

Chuck

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What did you expect them to cost? If you were expecting $10-$15 a piece then they are certainly in that price range. If not then you could probably make your own out of some regular steel or stainless. Have you considered just doing that?

Ok I just watched that video and I see what you are doing. The 1/4 bushings will be unnecessary as it will take thousands upon thousands of fretboards to wear the acrylic by just sliding in a locating pin. The drill holes however could use a bushing. I don't think that a hardened steel bushing is necessary though. It's not going to see a lot of use and I think that just some mild steel or stainless will do the job. You can make your own very easily or if you know any machinist they could probably whip you some out in no time at all. If you don't know anyone, well..... You know me and I could whip something up for you.

I'm now asking everyone except James to close their eyes and plug their ears!

Ok, if you would like I can get you something made up for free. We would just need to work out some dimensions. Just let me know.

I'm now asking everyone except James to close their eyes and plug their ears!

Ok, if you would like I can get you something made up for free. We would just need to work out some dimensions. Just let me know.

OOOH! Me too me too me too! Just kidding!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Japan Woodworker had a good price on drill guide bushings back when I ordered some. Not sure if they have a headless version.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I've gotten all mine from Woodworker Supply.

http://woodworker.com/18x38x12-drill-bu ... archmode=2

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Really, LV pricing (about the same as"professional") is pretty good, although they're not headless (although I suppose you could countersink them if flush was mandatory). In theory you could have a pile of inserts & only a few bushings you move around.
ooops.... didn't see Terrence's post...pretty good deal

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Dave
Milton, ON

Zeke , This could be a small side job for you , making some bushings at reasonable price , and letting the masses here know .

_________________
The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GET
The truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !
Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !
The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care Anymore
Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

Haha. I am not a big fan of side jobs lol. They seem to be a lot of hassle. That said I wouldn't mind making up a small batch of bushings if there is enough interest. I know ive already been contacted by one person other than James who seems interested in some. I there is a demand for it and we can get it down to one or two sizes I can whip some up for next to nothing in price. Pretty much the shipping would be what i would need to charge for. Maybe $1 a piece for the bushing itself, just to cover the tooling.

So, if this is ok with Lance, and there is interest I can look into this.

If there is a big enough demand for them in 1 size I can buy them at reasonable cost .... Not as cheap as u , but still better cost that onsies twosies

_________________
The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GET
The truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !
Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !
The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care Anymore
Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

If there is a big enough demand for them in 1 size I can buy them at reasonable cost .... Not as cheap as u , but still better cost that onsies twosies[/quote]

And I'm sure the ones you buy will be hardened and precision ground. So better quality. If I make them I'm just gonna turn some barstock on a lathe and poke a hole in em. But it'll do unless there is a large demand in which case it would be better for you to get them. Guess it all comes down to how many are needed.

Zeke, you're awesome.

I just want to keep the inner diameter to an 1/8" or 3/32", 1/4" OD, 1/4" tall. I'd prefer 1/8" ID, but I'm not glued to it if someone else out there wants the 3/32".

1/8 is also better for me. Seems like it would be easier to find dowels in that size as well. So are you planning on a press fit or will you be gluing these in? If its a press I'll have to keep the OD tolerances pretty tight, but you will also have to ream the holes that you will be pressing it into. Which means deciding on a reamer size so can make the bushings match. If you are just wanting to drop them in and glue em I'll just get them at .250" +/- .002". And they should go right in with some glue to hold and no one will have to worry about buying a reamer.

Lets just call it a job for some CA glue

this is kinda funny, i've been doing the same thing for a couple of years now. never saw this video -small world.

fwiw, i use 3/32" plastic fretboard side marker rod stock for pins.

Sounds like a winner to me. So we got a .250 OD .125 ID .250 OAL bushing. I think I've got some scrap stainless rod around here to make it out of.

Now I just need to know how many I'll be making.

Never thought of using side marker stock. Possibly a better solution than sourcing 1/8" dowels. I can do either 1/8 or 3/32. Whichever the demand seems to be more of. Or I can do 1/2 and 1/2 if it's a split crowd.