Extending switching cavity with a chisel ?

Emp_Fab

My mate has asked me to install an EMG DG20 fully loaded scratchplate setup to his Squier Strat, but.... the routing around the selector switch cavity isn't big enough to take the thicker EMG switch assy and there's no room for the battery.  I don't have a router, but I do have a selection of chisels, a dremel as well as a proper drill.   Is doing it with chisels a pain in the arse ?

guitarmangler

Um, wrong section, but what about a drill with a forsner bit? Less likely to make a hole the whole way through the body !

ChrisMusic

Emp_Fab said:    Is doing it with chisels a pain in the arse ?

I would suggest holding the chisel in your hand may be a more comfortable solution...

jd0272

^^^^

Yip

Emp_Fab

guitarmangler said:

Um, wrong section, but what about a drill with a forsner bit? Less likely to make a hole the whole way through the body !

Moved ! Yeah.... good idea... I have a set here.

octatonic

You can do it with a chisel if the chisel is properly sharp and you have good chisel control.

Do you have the necessary sharpening kit (diamond stone, waterstones and/or scary sharp system, or a tormek)?

Do you know what you are doing with a chisel?

I'd use a router myself, or the dremel.

Emp_Fab

Yes, Yes and Yes (with the exception of getting the bottom of the cavity flattish as you can't get a decent angle on it).

I'm not sure what bits to use with the dremel though...  I was thinking of drilling a billion holes to a set depth to remove the bulk then using the chisel to remove the rest and tidy up.

ChrisMusic

I often used chisels, back in my "past life", for this sort of modification.  I didn't have access to a router back then.  You only have to look at the historic work of top cabinet makers and wood carvers to see how good a finish you can get if you take sufficient care, (and if the job warrants it).

Since I have started playing again, I have quite a few "mods" appearing on my "to do" list.  I am not sure how I will approach them this time around.  So I am looking forward to the advice this discussion will inevitably draw.

octatonic

Use a dremel router bit and a router base.

Do you have this?

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Inlay_and_Pearl_Cutting/Precision_Router_Base/Precision_Router_Base.html

I'd probably use the 1/4" straight bit.

Emp_Fab

Alas not.  I don't even have a router bit.  I'll go with my original plan.  Nothing like the sensation of a really sharp chisel slicing its way through wood.

octatonic

Emp_Fab said:

Alas not.  I don't even have a router bit.  I'll go with my original plan.  Nothing like the sensation of a really sharp chisel slicing its way through wood.

Once you're sharp enough it should go fairly quickly.

FWIW the Stew Mac router base is absolutely worth having.

martinw

I've extended cavities (....sigh) with a Dremel and sanding drum attachment. It works very well and you can be very precise.

Emp_Fab

Well, it's all done and it came out very well thanks to all the tips !  I drilled the bulk out with a regular drill marked with tape so I wouldn't go too deep, then removed the rest with a sharp chisel and finished off with the dremel and a sanding drum.  Worked a treat.  The EMG DG20 setup sounds bloody lovely too !  It just seems wrong though having single coils with no ground to the trem block and... no noise at all !