Reddit reviews Big Gator Tools STD1000DGNP V-Drill Guide

Cross drilling or boring?

If you're boring, I'd make a treadle or spring-pole lathe. You'll get your exercise with either approach.

If you're cross drilling, some manner of post drill. Not strictly speaking a hand tool, but depending on your tolerances, what you want will be painful/difficult without the mechanical advantage of the press. I'd worry an egg beater drill wouldn't take the abuse, a brace might work. A breast drill, if you have one, would probably be best.

In any case, you'd want something like this to keep the hole square: https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Tools-STD1000DGNP-V-Drill-Guide/dp/B0061FY004/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1527041033&sr=8-4&keywords=v+drilling+guide

Most likely, with primitive tools, the right approach is heating the steel and punching the cross hole.

For most work, it is best to practice and be able to drill perpendicular (just like sawing). However, sometimes that is not precise enough, especially when learning.

If you can get one time access to a drill press, take a nice peice of quatersawn hardwood about an inch thick (quatersawn for the dimensional stability, hardwood for the longevity) and drill perpendicular holes in it in an array of sizes. Then take that home and use it to guide your holes.

If you can't get drill press access, you can buy something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Gator-V-DrillGuide-Standard-Portable-Drilling/dp/B0061FY004/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1422745605&sr=8-3&keywords=perpendicular+drill+guide

However, like I said at the start, don't use it as a crutch and try to get the most perpendicular holes you can freehand. In most cases, a hole can be a little off and it will be fine.

Here is a cheaper guide that has good but few reviews. The Big Gator one has a lot of good reviews so it is likely pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1312-Drill-Block/dp/B00F1ZJFZK/ref=pd_sim_hi_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SE5GY0HRH6XMM2TTCRD

Something like this clamped to the workpiece would probably do the trick.

https://www.amazon.com/BIG-GATOR-TOOLS-STD1000DGNP-V-Drill/dp/B0061FY004?sa-no-redirect=1

I got this before getting a drill press.

Lots of option here. From the incredibly simple (and not as accurate for a very deep hole) to the more secure to the more intricate setups where there is a separate chuck and you can set angles if you want to. Look around a bit and figure out what the easiest way for you to securely clamp the drumstick is gonna be then I guess decide from there what option you want to go with, that will also give you enough travel to be able to drill out the full length of the stick.

Edit: also something to keep in mind is the longer the hole, the more resistance you are gonna get so depending on the size of your hole the drag might get a bit excessive.

• [Wilkinson] (http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar_Parts/Electric_Guitar_Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Electric_Guitar_Tremolos/Wilkinson_Gotoh_VS-100N_Tremolo.html) trem. Drill press would be ideal for the post holes, but you could also just clamp a guide to the body.
  
• LSR nut. Unless you have access to a router jig, I would suggest a rectangular file matching the LSR's dimensions to clean up and deepen the slot you're going to start with a super fine cut saw.
  
• Locking Tuners. Staggered, so no more string trees. Super stable tuning when paired with the Wilkinson and LSR, even after divebombs. Those "F" tuners have a super accurate 18:1 gear ratio. I also like that particular design because they're stabilized with a pair of incorporated pegs that slip into pre-drilled holes, instead of relying on a tiny little screw.
  
  I can't comment on the Gen 4 Noiseless, as I've never used them. My wiring is more like a Les Paul, with dual HB, three way switch and push-pulls for coil splits. This is a pretty good resource for wiring ideas, if you're looking for inspiration. Generally speaking, you'll also want to replace the switches and pots with Switchcraft, CTS, etc. My guess is that the MIM's come with Alpha, but I could be wrong.
  
  EDIT: Keep in mind, when researching wiring diagrams, that "Noiseless" usually means humbucker. It might look like a single coil, but it will be two coils stacked one on top of the other. Check manufacturer specs to confirm whether you're dealing with four or two wires, then plan accordingly.

This little guy works just fine. Cheap, simple, accurate.

Big Gator Tools V-Drill Guide

You can also just use a drilling block. Not sure why he doesn't use one honestly.

Big Gator Tools STD1000DGNP V-Drill Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061FY004/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UgWMxb0DGJ8PZ