threaded inserts

[vtpcnk]

how many of you use threaded inserts in the holes of your neck for bolting on?

advantages/disadvantages?

any suggestions on installing them?

appreciate the feedback.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I am not using them, but I think they are nice, and more stable of fastening system. I think you can apply more torque to them, and not have to worry about stripping out the holes in the wood (tighter = more stable).  I'd like to use them in the future.

 

[B3Guy]

theoretically, could one obtain the necessary hardware to do threaded inserts for every screw on the guitar's body? (call my crazy, but I think that would be kinda cool in an over the top kind of way  :dontknow

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I have yet to do it on a neck because of no access to a drill press.  The ones for putting in a hardwood maple neck are nut the cheapy brass or zinc ones from Home Depot either.  I would like to just for the ease of neck removal and not wearing out the neck holes.

To B3Guy, I have done it to the control cavity on my most recent build.  Works great and is a great idea if you're a modder and will be in there a lot.  Same for pickguards (non-chambered bodies) if you plan on changing them.

 

[Watershed]

Here's a writeup that I put together on the installation:
http://www.watershedguitars.com/insert%20instructions.html

If you are using a threaded insert that is designed for hardwoods, hard plastics, or soft metals, the drill press is definitely necessary.  This kind of insert has shallow threads, designed not to displace significant amounts of material.  They also cut their own threads as they are being installed.  If the hole that you are inserting the thread into is too large, the threads will have a hard time grabbing.  If the hole is properly sized and drilled, they hold extremely well.

Some of the other inserts I have seen used have a deeper thread pattern (EZ Lock comes to mind).  The hole that you drill for these doesn't have to be as precise, but you may have more difficulty installing them, as you will have to displace more material due to the large threads.  Maple, wenge, bubinga, etc are pretty hard woods, and displacing the material can be challenging.  Extreme situations that I have heard about, but never seen, are the insert breaking, or the neck splitting.  From the installs that I have seen using these inserts, it also appears that the main body of the insert is not actually in contact with the neck; just the threads are in contact with the neck.

I'd definitely recommend trying out what ever you choose on a testboard.
Oak is fairly similar to maple in density, and can be easily found at your local Home Depot.

James

 

[Cagey]

how many of you use threaded inserts in the holes of your neck for bolting on?

advantages/disadvantages?

any suggestions on installing them?

appreciate the feedback.

I use them on all my necks. It's a mechanically superior way of installing a neck that ends up tighter than any other method, so you get better energy transfer from the neck to the body. Another advantage is the ability to remove and reinstall the neck without any deterioration. I haven't been able to find a downside to them.

While not absolutely required, I wouldn't try Installing them without a drill press and an insertion tool.

 

[lafromla1]

Where can someone purchase an inexpensive drill press?  I'd really hate to have to buy an expensive one just for the half dozen guitars I have and then have no use for it.

 

[mayfly]

I always use threaded inserts for necks.  Absolutely required for my B-bender teles.  Was handy for the 12string as well

Some notes:
1 -use a drill press!  for both drilling and installing
2 - please wax the threads of the inserts
3 - you'll need to flush sand after installing the inserts
4 - I've used these inserts with great success:

http://www.onyxforgeguitars.com/Insert%20kit.html

i cannot vouch for others.

 

[SkuttleFunk]

Craigslist is your friend when looking for an inexpensive drillpress - but be warned to you need to have a stable bed to mount your neck to. if you use a cheap drillpress with a bed that gives under pressure, you're not going to have a good threaded insert install experience

p.s. I created a Tips & Tricks topic on this several years back...

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

all the best,

R

 

[lafromla1]

I do have an upper-end Dremel tool and I noticed that they have a Drill Press workstation for about $50.  I also have a worktable in my garage where I could securely mount it to.  Does this sound like a feasible alternative to buying a full-on drill press?

 

[SkuttleFunk]

IMO a solution like this is not suitable for installing neck inserts

the two main reasons being

- your dermel will not open large enough to hold the size Forstner bit you need

- you won't have the ability to apply enough downward pressure to install the insert into the neck

all the best,

R

 

[B3Guy]

I always use threaded inserts for necks.  Absolutely required for my B-bender teles.  Was handy for the 12string as well

Some notes:
1 -use a drill press!  for both drilling and installing
2 - please wax the threads of the inserts
3 - you'll need to flush sand after installing the inserts
4 - I've used these inserts with great success:

http://www.onyxforgeguitars.com/Insert%20kit.html

i cannot vouch for others.

have you ever used his screw ferrules?

 

[Cagey]

Where can someone purchase an inexpensive drill press?  I'd really hate to have to buy an expensive one just for the half dozen guitars I have and then have no use for it.

Scuttlefunk is right - Craigslist is your friend for this type of thing. I'd avoid ebay, simply because even a small drill press is heavy and bulky, so shipping will kill you. But, lest you be concerned about used tools, you should know that drill presses are pretty simple devices - there's not much that can go wrong. They pretty much either work or they don't. You don't need a monster; a "mini" like this $80 Northern Industrial unit will work ok if you can hold your part steady...

For holding your part steady, a drill press vise like this $20 Delta unit is a handy thing...

You just have to be careful not to hug your neck too tight, or you risk distorting the upper frets. It's never happened to me, but I've heard the warning enough times that it must have happened to somebody, so I'm just passing it along.

A drill press is a Good Thing to have around. I'd never consider one a waste of money.

 

[m4rk0]

off topic noob question:

how does a drill press like that reach far enough to drill per example string through holes? (or anything in the middle part of the body)

 

[SkuttleFunk]

if you plan to drill trhu-body string tunnels you'll need to ensure you purchase a drill press with adequate throat cleanence. it's important to know the full spectrum of uses you'll use your tool for before making a hasty decision to purchase something that ends up not suiting your needs ... sometime spending a little more the first time saves you considerable cash in the long run

all the best,

R

 

[Watershed]

sometime spending a little more the first time saves you considerable cash in the long run

So true!

 

[Wyliee]

I do have an upper-end Dremel tool and I noticed that they have a Drill Press workstation for about $50.  I also have a worktable in my garage where I could securely mount it to.  Does this sound like a feasible alternative to buying a full-on drill press?

I've got the Dremel drill press.  *ONLY* suitable for small holes and soft materials.  (Very sharp bits are a must.)  The unit as a whole is light weight and the bracket can flex under stress.  (I used to do fine scale models.  Worked great there.  Not for guitar building.)

 

[Nightclub Dwight]

I do have an upper-end Dremel tool and I noticed that they have a Drill Press workstation for about $50.  I also have a worktable in my garage where I could securely mount it to.  Does this sound like a feasible alternative to buying a full-on drill press?

I've got the Dremel drill press.  *ONLY* suitable for small holes and soft materials.  (Very sharp bits are a must.)  The unit as a whole is light weight and the bracket can flex under stress.  (I used to do fine scale models.  Worked great there.  Not for guitar building.)

Thanks Wyliee.  I always wondered about those Dremel drill presses.  Good to hear first hand experience.