Tuner holes

[hummingbird]

Should I drill the holes for the tuners (not a slot head) before or after finishing. If i drill before will the finish glop into the holes and gum things up? If I drill the holes after applying the finish will the finish chip out from the drill bit?

[johnnparchem]

I drill the tuner holes before for both my slothead and peghead guitars. I do have to clean them out a bit when the finishing is over. For me I want to minimise the work I do once the finish is on the guitar. I would be afraid drilling tuner holes wood crack the finish.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

For sure drill them before. You can easily clean them out later....a round file with some sandpaper wrapped around it, or what I do is use my pocket knife and scrap the holes clean...really very easy to do, and as John says, you don't want to risk a crack or shatter although it really shouldn't do that either.

Kevin

[hummingbird]

Thanks all.

[David L]

I drill first and then run the drill bit or reamer back through each hole "BY HAND"!

David L