5 Degree Reamer/Clamps

[Diane Kauffmds]

For those of you doing a Martin build, you'll need a 5 degree wood reamer for the bridge pins. Harbor Freight Tools may not be the place to buy electrical tools that will be used extensively, but for small hand tools, it can't be beat. They have a 5 degree reamer that will work for Martin style bridge pins for $2.99: http://www.harborfreight.com/t-handle-reamer-66938.html

BTW, they also have decent clamps that are reasonably priced; you can NEVER have too many clamps. These clamps are by far my favorite. Made of all metal, they come in a range of sizes. Not only do I use them for general clamping, but I decided to use one to set the fret wires in the fretboard. The 6" bar clamp actually opens to 6", so it's deep enough for almost all guitar applications: http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-bar ... 96210.html

[tippie53]

that should do the job and I do use a lot of the HF clamps
I buy them when they are on sale

[MaineGeezer]

That certainly is a good price.

An alternative I've used is a tapered end mill from McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com). They come in a range of tapers. Although not as convenient as a purpose-made reamer, they will work.

One caveat: the taper is specified as x degrees per side, while the reamers are generally specified as included angle. Thus, for a 5 degree taper you'd want 2.5 degrees per side.

Another caveat is that you need to make sure the small end is small enough to fit the hole you're reaming.

All in all...buy a reamer if you can, but a tapered end mill might give you another option.

Edit: I just checked, the don't have 2.5 degrees per side, anyway.

[Diane Kauffmds]

FYI. I just got back from Harbor freight tools. The Reamer is item #66936 and was in the PLUMBING department, which I found rather strange. The end of the taper is 1/8", so it will require a pilot hole of that size. I'll get a scrap piece of wood and drill a hole and ream it out for a bridge pin. I'll let everyone know how it fits.

[johnnparchem]

FYI. I just got back from Harbor freight tools. The Reamer is item #66936 and was in the PLUMBING department, which I found rather strange. The end of the taper is 1/8", so it will require a pilot hole of that size. I'll get a scrap piece of wood and drill a hole and ream it out for a bridge pin. I'll let everyone know how it fits.

You might be able to save a bit of reaming using a 3/16 drill bit instead of an 1/8th.

[MaineGeezer]

Yes -- 5/32", anyway. Maybe 3/16". A good part of the bridge pin is down below the top and doesn't make contact with anything. See what the o.d. of a bridge pin is about mid-way along its length.