Machine screw inserts for pickguard and electronics cavity

[guitartom]

So I am working on a new build and would like to use machine screws for the pickguard and electronics cavity.  Sort of what carvin uses for their rear cavity covers.  I have tried sourcing the inserts and have come up blank. 

I tried carvin and posted over on the bbs - no luck.

So I thought someone may be able to help.

 

[stubhead]

I did exactly that on my latest, as I fully intend to never "finish" it - it's a testbed of sorts. The neck, bridge(s) and the Hipshot Trilogy are all held on with big steel EZLoc inserts (5/16-18 to be exact, snuggling up with 10-24 screws). And the control plate and pickup plate are all held on with brass 4-40 machine inserts & screws. As they're not load-bearing, they don't have to be overkillingly stout. Here's some:

http://www.amazon.com/4-40-Brass-Threaded-Insert-Wood/dp/B000O6721A

I got 19 hits searching Ebay for "4-40 brass inserts". It looks as though their primary use is on model airplanes and railroads... I think most hobby-type stores have them. The "Great Plains" ones are what I used. They don't want to go in straight.  After some cussing and fussing I figured out you want to get at least a few lo-ong 4-40 screws to discipline them (lock a couple of nuts or inserts together on the long fellow and SCREW them in).

Another thing of which I'm inordinately puffed about is, that pickup plate is reversible and flippable too, so the pickups can be relocated with the HB closer to bridge, the angled one to be reversed... one of these days I'll bang out three or four more to mount various stuff upon.   

 

[bagman67]

Stubby's successes notwithstanding, bear in mind that if your plan is to frequently switch out your pickguards, there is tremendous variation in screwhole locations from one specimen to the next.  If your inserts don't line up for the new pickguard, you might need to swear a little bit about it.

 

[guitartom]

Stubby - Thank you. 

I'm not planning on changing my pickguard, but am planning on changing pickups and controls in a pawlonia bodied tele - these bodies are soft to begin with.  I went with a warmoth neck and fender bridge (wilkinson compensated saddles).  I wanted to try out this so called light weight wonder wood.