Strap Button Drill Bit and Tap

While finishing my latest build, a Martin D28 (type), I decided to swap out the pins and strap button for snake wood versions from Stew Mac. I happened upon this tool set. Relatively inexpensive and dedicated to the task. So I bought it. Totally happy with it. When drilling into a clients $2k+ guitar, I want nothing to go wrong. And this tool stood up to the task.

Bought this with the ebony strap button and felt washers. They came quickly and installation should have been a breeze;
unfortunately the brass hex on the tap unscrewed from the tap itself. I had to use a vise grip to unscrew it from the guitar. Once it was out everything went quickly. I should have paid attention to other reviewer with the same problem.

Only used once. When I went to back the tap out of the hole, the hex base just unscrewed itself off the thread of the screw leaving just the threaded end of the tap sticking out of the heel of my mandolin. I recommend buying the Guitar Tech Screwdriver Set since they seem to have the threaded driver as one piece.

I've only used it once, but it did the job perfectly.

This bit and tap made installing ebony strap buttons a breeze. I put one in a BlueRidge Parlor guitar and one in a vintage Gibson A2 mandolin. Next up is an A4. The tools arrived promptly and met or exceeded expectations. Git you one.

These were the perfect tools to confidently make a hole for the Snakewood Strap Button I added to my Mountain Dulcimer.

I bought this drill & tap set as it seemed to be such a great idea for simplifying the process.

2 comments:

1. The Hex base on the tap is not the standard size hex that fits in standard hex-drivers - too big
2. on the second strap pin hole I did, when I went to back the tap out of the hole, the hex base just unscrewed itself off the thread of the screw leaving just the threaded end of the tap sticking out of the heel of my custom Collings. (not pleased)

Stewmac is sending me a replacement,I just hope it works better than its predecessor, but the hex size is a definite design flaw. The drill bit works well though.
(a standard-size hex base for both drill & tap would be great)

On the positive side - this is the only negative experience I've had with Stewmac's stuff, everything else I've ever ordered has been great!

Dave

Several years ago I paid a local shop to install a strap button on the heel of my new hand built guitar. I don't know how, but somehow he managed to mess up the job. So now I did this job myself. I've done two. The first one without this tool - it came out fine but it was way too hard to screw the ebony button into the untapped hole. I ended up stripping the button right off the stud. This time I used the Stew Mac tool. Perfect. 5 minute job. Tap works very well. If your not a pro - get this tool. Its worth the extra few bucks to get a professional result.