Neck inserts

[whyachi]

Black chrome bolts would make them better. /shrug

I can't put just one piece of chrome on my bass, it would drive me nuts.

 

[stubhead]

The zinc and even the brass inserts aren't as strong as the stainless steel ones, as sold by a few other sources. If you're going to go to the trouble of drilling out the neck it makes sense to spend the bit extra to install the strongest possible inserts.

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=163.0

You can buy the brass wood inserts at Lowes hard ware store for under $ 2.00 for a pack of two. A pack of 6 screws will cost about $ 1.75 for the bag.  You will find them in the speciality hard ware drawers.  I was about to start inserting them on my bolt on guitars for that I got an 8-32 size. They can also be purchased from Rockler. com. under the hardware tab.

Bootlegger.

DO NOT USE BRASS INSERTS FOR GUITAR OR BASS NECKS!!!!!

I cannot emphasise this enough. The first time you snap a soft brass insert in your hard Maple neck you will completely understand why I am soooooo emphatic about this.

Use only high quality hardened steel or stainless steel inserts ... NOT BRASS


I will agree that brass inserts are good for cavity control plate covers and bridge mounting. But they are NOT strong enough to utilize on NECK JOINTS!

Zinc are weaker than brass.

Possible legal reasons why Warmoth couldn't sell a "licensed Fender product" with inserts (though I don't agree):

I'm sure there are potential issues with adding threaded inserts to a licensed Fender replacement neck and then selling it as a licensed product.

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=679.msg4957#msg4957

Umm, SEARCH under "threaded inserts".... :icon_scratch:

 

[esabtech]

I have used the brass slotted head inserts from Lowes. They snap really easy. And, since they are slot head, once you break 'em, your screwed. That's why I found the hex drive ones.

Now, if I can find some SS hex drive inserts, that would be sweet. I know they're out there, but finding somewhere that sells quantities of 100 or less, that may be a problem.

Thanks, for your input. I'll see what I can find.

 

[esabtech]

I found some steel hex drive inserts, 3 times the cost of the zinc alloy. So, I'll try 'em out. The threads look better on these, and they are slightly bigger  in diameter. If anyone needs some, let me know.

 

[Watershed]

Since you brought it up, I put together a kit myself using the McFeely's stainless steel insert.
I tried a few and decided on the stainless, I also much prefer the smaller thread pattern of the McFeely's.
Believe me, they hold.  You don't need some super large thread pattern to cut into hardwood.

I also got a big batch of stainless machine screws black zinc oxide coated.
I'm with knucklehead G, in that some chrome wasn't going to cut it with otherwise black hardware.
I looked and looked everywhere but no one sells (that I could find) a 10-24 oval head phillips machine screw in black.
So, I bought a big bag and got them coated.  Again, it is pretty impractical to have 4 screws oxide coated.
Now I have way, way more of those than I need.

McFeely's won't sell you only 4 inserts, and I want to get rid of some of those screws, so I got the idea to put together a kit.
It's no money maker, but if you only need 4 screws and 4 inserts it's a lot cheaper.

I use them on all of my builds as well, and am a big fan.
Even have installation instructions for you.
http://www.watershedguitars.com/insert%20instructions.html

James

 

[mullyman]

Well, once I get my neck on I don't take it off so stripping really isn't a worry for me, but I absolutely would pay extra for these inserts. They look great.
MULLY

 

[stubhead]

I haven't been able to find a 9/32" Forstner bit - I have a few sets of inserts, and if I could find the right bit I'd install them and buy more inserts. esabtech, what size bit does your inserts take? I've looked at Rockler, Lee Valley, online everywhere for that bit - what do you use? :icon_scratch:

 

[Watershed]

You don't need a forstner bit to install the insert, you can use a regular 9/32".
I got mine at Home Depot.

The forstner bit is for the ferrules.

 

[mayfly]

You don't need a forstner bit to install the insert, you can use a regular 9/32".
I got mine at Home Depot.

The forstner bit is for the ferrules.

+1.  I just use a regular twist bit in the drill press.

 

[esabtech]

I haven't been able to find a 9/32" Forstner bit - I have a few sets of inserts, and if I could find the right bit I'd install them and buy more inserts. esabtech, what size bit does your inserts take? I've looked at Rockler, Lee Valley, online everywhere for that bit - what do you use? :icon_scratch:

The inserts I use are self tapping, so a standard drill bit is what I use. 15/64" for the zinc alloy inserts, and I won't have the new steel inserts until the end of this week.

What type of inserts to you have?

 

[hannaugh]

I have access to a drill press now... I think I'll be doing this on my Strat.

 

[mayfly]

I have access to a drill press now... I think I'll be doing this on my Strat.

Let me know when you're doing it and I can help walk you through it.

T

 

[hannaugh]

Maybe if it all works out well I'll do it to my LP as well.  It just seems like a really good idea.

 

[Watershed]

My only advice on the install after having done quite a few is:
1.  Make sure that the neck is firmly clamped to the drill press table, you really don't want that thing to move at all on you.
2.  Once you have the bit lined up etc. (that's important too), just drill it once, going in a second time could enlarge the hole a bit.  With all the vibration the neck may have slid just a hair (back to point 1).

James

 

[Watershed]

Oh yea, just remembered.  The Les Paul, or any guitar with a 3 degree angled neck pocket, will require that the inserts be installed in the neck at a 3 degree angle as well.
The holes drilled into the heel (on the body) are 90 degrees to the flat back of the guitar.  The top of the neck pocket is what's angled, and the neck sits on that.

I documented the installation of my VIP.
A picture is worth a thousand words, the third picture down should explain it.
http://www.watershedguitars.com/baritone.html

James

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

If the body has the contoured heel, are the body holes perpendicular to that, or are they perpendicular to the original plane as if it had no contoured heel?

 

[Watershed]

If the body has the contoured heel, are the body holes perpendicular to that, or are they perpendicular to the original plane as if it had no contoured heel?

They are perpendicular to the original plane as if it had no contoured heel.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

That's kind of what I figured because if they were perpendicular to the contoured heel, they would want to come out of the bass side of the neck.

 

[CrackedPepper]

Oh yea, just remembered.  The Les Paul, or any guitar with a 3 degree angled neck pocket, will require that the inserts be installed in the neck at a 3 degree angle as well.
The holes drilled into the heel (on the body) are 90 degrees to the flat back of the guitar.  The top of the neck pocket is what's angled, and the neck sits on that.

I documented the installation of my VIP.
A picture is worth a thousand words, the third picture down should explain it.
http://www.watershedguitars.com/baritone.html

James

Bump - I see what you are saying here but I don't understand why the inserts need to be installed at a 3 degree angle in the neck heel as well.  If you need 3 degree angled holes in the neck heel, then wouldn't there be an option at Warmoth in addition to their standard 4 hole mounting hole option?  When you order a Warmoth neck, aren't the holes perpendicular to the surface of the heel irrespective of the body it is to be mated to?

 

[MUYFUE]

NOW i'm interested....Good point.
I'm thinking about this with a bolty explorer I'm working on working on.
If you countersink the ferrules...can't you adjust those so that the neck bolts pass through the body and into the neck perpendicular?
So that the bolts go into the neck perpendicular?
I can't help but think that would be easier.