Mike's Oud Forums

Bridge holes

Danielo - 8-26-2011 at 12:16 AM

Hello,

Yesterday I restrung my new oud with Aquila strings. Unfortunately the hole for the bass C-string on the bridge it too narrow (Aquila wound strings are pretty thick).

How could I enlarge the hole without ungluing the bridge ? Could I use a simple gimlet ? (the smallest one I found is 2mm)

thanks for your help !

Dan

BaniYazid - 8-26-2011 at 02:43 AM

Hi,

I used a dremel to do that things, it's not easy the first time, make shure to protect the soundboard, it's not worth buying a dremel for one hole ! look at someone you know who have this tool http://www.dremeleurope.com/dremelocs-fr/category/2705/outils
C'est quoi "gimlet" ? j'ai pas bien saisi :shrug:

Danielo - 8-26-2011 at 02:53 AM

Hi,

thanks for the advice... unfortunately I don't know anyone having this tool :(

"gimlet" c'est une vrille ;)



I hoped it was ok because it's not about making a hole but only enlarging it a bit


Dan

BaniYazid - 8-26-2011 at 03:18 AM

héhéhé tu ne pourrais pas faire 1/4 de tour avec, ça dépend de la taille de la poignée et de la distance table-trou. s'il ne te manque pas beaucoup tu ne prends pas bcp de risques en y allant par petits tours, mais tu y passera du temps, sinon, un luthier pourrais te faire ça pour pas grand chose, ou rien, si l'instrument est de valeur je privilégierais cette option.

FastForward - 8-26-2011 at 04:02 AM

What you need is a called a "pin vise" with the right size mini drill bit. Something like the one showed in the link below. They are typically not expensive and having one at home can be useful for many things.

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/pin-vise-jeweler/BLU01

Check your local hobby shops/tool stores and they should have it.

The "sardine can opener" might work but might put a much bigger hole in the bridge :D

jdowning - 8-26-2011 at 04:39 AM

You can see how it is done using a jeweller's drill on "A Rebuild Project - 14thC Oud to 16th C Lute" - page 2 on the Oud Projects Forum. It is a straightforward enough job.

If you cannot find such a drill (or a small diameter pin vice) it is possible to improvise by gluing a standard drill bit into the centre of the end of a wooden dowel with epoxy cement. The dowel must, of course, be less in radius than the height of the string holes above the sound board. As you are only enlarging the hole the original hole will guide the drill accurately and the drill bit can, therefore, be bent upwards slightly - while drilling - to facilitate slowly rotating the dowel with the fingers.
If you use a pin vice a piece of plastic tubing fitted over the end of the vice will also facilitate rotating the drill with the fingers.

Don't try using a gimlet!
Protect the sound board with a piece of card. A standard 1.5 mm (1/16 inch) drill bit should be sufficient.

Danielo - 8-26-2011 at 07:51 AM

thanks guys for your help !

fortunately I asked before destroying the oud :D

fernandraynaud - 8-27-2011 at 01:45 AM

If you already have a Dremel tool, they offer a relatively inexpensive flexible "snake" extension that (among other tricks) allows working in relatively tight spaces (like bridge drilling) with a pencil-like head. The best thing about the many Dremel accessories (like the $30 drill press) is that they give that satisfied feeling of having an equipped workbench without spending a fortune, especially if you buy generic bits and parts. They are not suitable for production, but for occasional small caliber operations, or prototyping, they are great.

Matthias - 8-27-2011 at 05:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Danielo  
Hi,

thanks for the advice... unfortunately I don't know anyone having this tool :(

"gimlet" c'est une vrille ;)



I hoped it was ok because it's not about making a hole but only enlarging it a bit


Dan


Hello Danielo,

horrible, please never use this tool.

btw, Adel Salameh mentioned that you may have interest to come to his workshop here to Badenweiler during the Oriental musc summer Academy.
http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=11877
If you like to come, it would be fine. If so, I will drill you the holes to the correct diameter, I prepared special tools for that.

Best regards

Matthias

Danielo - 8-27-2011 at 06:51 AM

Dear Matthias,

don't worry I won't use it ;) I'll look for the appropriate tool

Thanks for the invitation to the workshop. I wish I could come, but time is lacking

best,

Dan

Aymara - 8-27-2011 at 01:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Danielo  

... unfortunately I don't know anyone having this tool :(


There are similar tools available from Proxxon, incl. the "snake" Fernand mentioned. Many professionel craftsmen prefer Proxxon over Dremel. Maybe you find someone with a Proxxon?

Danielo - 10-26-2011 at 06:32 AM

Hi,

some update : I solved the problem in a very simple way... with a nail.

So little room was missing in the hole that I only needed to introduce a small nail in the hole with moderate pressure (no hammer don't worry ;) ) and after few ways I managed to fit the string inside. The same for the peg.

Thanks everyone for your help !

Dan

PS : buyers of Aquila strings beware : they are very good sounding strings but the wound strings are thicker, and with wider wiring that most other brands, so you need a good nut and a bridge that can fit the bass string