It is best to have an original set to go by.  Tools I use: drill bits,
known as Screw Machine length.  These are short and allow accurate
drilling.  To hold the hammer while drilling I use a Palmgren adjust-
able angle vise.  I would suggest not buying an import as they have too
much "play" in them.  These vises will mount on a good quality drill
press table.

There are many good sources of supply and I would suggest American made
tools if you live in the United States.  MSC is one distributor, with a
40-pound catalog.  Call them at 1-800-645-7270 or look in the Yellow
Pages under Tools or Industrial Tools.  MSC is also a good source for
Parabolic Twist Drill bits (made in Germany), for drilling straight
deep holes, such as a pinblock hole.  An example would be the letter
"I" bit for pinblocks, which is .2717 inch diameter.

To ensure the proper angle use a protractor.  I use a little 6-inch
Starrett.  You can measure the angle of the strings to ensure accurate
drilling of your hammers.  Most hammers, when new, were drilled in
groups, and most have the same angle drilled in them, so you do not
have to measure every hammer and reset your vise unless you are a real
perfectionist.  Hope this gets someone started and whoever uses this
method can refine it for their own use.

Don Teach, Shreveport Music Co
1610 E. Bert Kouns, Shreveport,  LA  71105