Looking for step-bit drills...

[Mike Kolb]

Haven't installed a Floyd Rose in years, but a fellow is looking for a "80's hair-band retrofit" so away we go.  

A tool I've used (and apparently since lost) is a step-bit drill to countersink the mounting bolt heads on the back of the neck. It originally came from StewMac, but they've since discontinued offering them.  It was an 11/64" pilot with a 5/16" flat counterbore.  Anyone know where to source one?  Thanks:)

[Frank Ford]

Have you called S/M and checked to see if they can get you one?  They do have a number of things available that aren't in the catalog or Web listings. . .

[Mike Kolb]

Yep, sent them an e-mail this morning and got the "we sincerely regret..."  answer.  

If push comes to shove, I s'pose there's ways around the special bit, but it sure was handy. On the other side of the coin, if I was more diligent about putting things where they belonged, this wouldn't happen :)

[Paul Verticchio]

"if I was more diligent about putting things where they belonged, this wouldn't happen"

If you ever develop a foolproof way to accomplish that, PLEASE let me know. (-:  Methinks it may be a universal occupational hazard.

Later on Mike (:

[Brian Stewart]

If you ever develop a foolproof way to accomplish that, PLEASE let me know

The only thing that works for me is to share a shop with other people that are constantly trying to "borrow" you tools.  Makes you hyper vigilant about the whereabouts of every little tool and jig you use.

Doesn't work for me in my home shop, though...

[harrison phipps]

I would use the locking nut that attaches with 2 small screws from the top, avoiding drilling into the neck.  You can get them pretty cheep on eBay.  In my opinion the ones that attach from the back are overkill as the string tension holds the nut down anyway and the two honking Allen bolts need two honking holes in an area of the neck where we have all seen too many problems. 

[Russell Vance]

I'm strongly with you on this one Harrison, the through bolting is just a neck/peghead juntion strength killer for absolutely no technical reason whatsoever.   My RG Ibanez all have this dumbas system and its forever a "head-shaker".  I've used the front mounting screws in every Floyd I've done.  R.

[Frank Ford]

A regular counterbore for #10 socket head cap screw has .314" cutting diameter and .190" pilot - close to what you need - it might serve well.

McMaster #2919A15

[Mike Kolb]

Bingo, that looks like a winner, Frank.... close-enough for me, thanks for the tip. 

Harrison, I'm with you on the structural-defect possibilities. If I can talk the customer into it, I will... he's already gone and bought what he wants installed (a regulation FR trem and their locking nut) so he might not want to reinvest but it's worth a chat.

In any event, it bugs me to have "lost" (read: misplaced) my old counterbore, so I'm taking out the credit card:)   Thanks...

[Mike Kolb]

Update.... the customer and I talked about the front-mount vs. rear-mount locking nuts. He sees the potenial problem and agrees that's it's cheaper to swallow the $20 for the nut than to risk a weak neck.  

So his problem is solved.  But now, where the %$# did I stash my counterbore? :)  Thanks for the help.

[Russell Vance]

Mike, if its a cheap nut (ie not Schaller or FR) you can countersink the back mounting screw bores to take a top mounted screw and give clearance for the string cleats to seat.  The Schaller nuts are hardened and don't take too kindly to countersinking (although I have never really leaned hard on a machine drill to do the job).   Good call anyway. R.