Can’t find threaded inserts…help?

[joeguam]

Trying to find some stainless steel 8-32 threaded inserts to install in a neck, but I can’t seem to find any online. Everything I’ve searched is either out of stock or only comes in packs of 100.

Can someone help please, just need 4 of them.

 

[mayfly]

depends on the type inserts you intend to use and what country you're in.

 

[Hodgo]

Have you tried McMaster Carr?

 

[joeguam]

depends on the type inserts you intend to use and what country you're in.

I’m looking for stainless 8-32 inserts for a maple neck, the EZ-Lok knife model seems to work great for a lot of people. I live in Guam (USA), so shipping to me would be through USPS priority mail (which is the same rates as shipping to Hawaii).

 

[mayfly]

In that case, I would go with McMaster Carr.

 

[joeguam]

Just wanted to update this thread, I found these EZ-LOK 10-32 brass inserts on Amazon:

“E-Z LOK 400-332 Threaded Inserts...”

My thoughts:
- Get the stainless steel inserts, not the brass. The brass is too soft and I stripped out 2 of them using the driver bit that came with it.
- Go slow, be patient. I slowly drilled out the holes in the neck heel going in 1/32 increments to keep it square and not damage the neck.
- Using the drill bit that came in the kit made the hole just perfect. You want a tight fit, so this ensures it’s the right diameter.

 

[Strat Avenger]

10-32 is too big. You need 8-32.

 

[db82]

The general consensus is also that brass is potentially too soft. You may want stainless steel. (I see I'm telling you something you already know) I just got the 8-32 stainless steel of these from Amazon, and to be frank they're a little suspect as far as tolerances though... like there's a reason this multi-pack was $15, because there's something wrong with them.

 

[NovasScootYa]

I've used the below basic inserts with good results in maple, canary, etc. Cut the supplied Allen Head wrench and use a drill press to twist and drive the insert in manually. Every measurement and step is precise, watch tutorials.
And what tutorials don't tell....Do not clamp against the fret ends. Recess the inserts deep enough so its top thread has some wood to grab. Wood glue the bore, inserts, make sure the glue dries overnight. Check the machine screws to see if they screw easily in and out of the installed inserts. Last disaster you want is to try to remove the neck and the insert comes out too.
eBay Guitar Neck Insert Kit

 

[MikeW]

Cagey had all this worked out and noted. Here's the post where he details the parts.

Post in thread 'Oh, yes I did. (Neck choice complete, too.)'

Nov 23, 2016

Cagey, where do I obtain & how do I install "threaded inserts"??  This is contoured neck pocket.

I get the inserts, the machine screws and the installation tool for the inserts from McMaster-Carr, but that's not the only place you can get all that stuff. Basically, what you need to know is the inserts have an inside thread of 8-32, and they're (supposedly) self-tapping inserts. I say "supposedly" because it depends on what you're running them into. Necks are typically made of the harder hardwoods, which resist that sort of thing. You really want to tap the holes before...

• Cagey

• 

I've used those brass inserts and I've used the SS inserts, and IMHO, there is no substitute for the SS. The material is just far better suited for the density of the hardwoods used in neck shafts.