Official Luthiers Forum!

I used to be able to get these from my local hardware store for about a $1 each.



However, now all that the local stores have in the hardware bins are these, with which I've had strip out.



So, I'm looking for a supplier for the coarse threaded inserts or comments on these;


My main question is, how the heck do you decide how big of a pilot to drill for them? I'm sure they'll work 'fine' but I sure did like the brass that I used to be able to get. I don't even know what the coarse threaded inserts are called. Maybe someone knows what I should be searching for so I could find it.

Thanks in advance for the help,
Dave

Mc Master Carr has steel or brass inserts in what ever kind of style you need. I get the 1/4-20 of this style here.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#threaded-inserts/=9gmlo4
works great and no signs of them stripping. Shipping is quick, got them in about 2 days if I remember right.

-John

_________________
John Thiessen
http://www.iszacguitars.com

They have the threaded inserts with the hex key tightening mechanism at Menards Dave. That's all I use now. They are in the aisle with all the little boxes. The 1/4/20's are frequently gone or low so when they get a new shipment I buy a bunch.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I fully recommend giving up on the inserts and using hanger bolts.
I use these. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200169 ... -Bolt.aspx

You'll have to decide what length will work with your neck block, and tenon.

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I've used a few of these to good effect: http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/3606-STS/14-20-Steel-Threaded-Inserts#3606-STS-D

_________________
Evan McCartney

I stock the threaded inserts for 1/4 20 thread just email me.

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

thanks for the response guys.

I have them as well, $.85 for two inserts and two bolts.

Shane

_________________
Canada

What about epoxying in a short piece of threaded brass rod. .

_________________
http://goatrockukulele.com

Lee Valley has them and much nicer bolts with a large flat head that look very classy.They are listed as 1/4 20 quick connect hardware.
Tom

_________________
A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

I do like Lee Valley's "large-head" bolts. And they come in 40mm lengths, which is perfect for my setup with no bolt shortening required.

_________________
Evan McCartney

Shane, nice price. I've seen them for $9/set and just can't bring myself to order them.
Fillipo, Ace is the place, but they've phased out the coarse thread and gone to the narrow. That's what's driving this for me.

I'm sure hanger bolts would work too, but then I'd have to dress up the other end so it doesn't look like a funky nut hanging outside the heel block. Plus, I put that dragonfly sound port on the side of my guitars to the inside needs to be immaculate because EVERYTHING is visible.


Mcfeely's looks like the clear ticket. BUT, they're steel. I've always used brass because I thought it best to strip out the insert before letting it strip out the wood. Then again, any stripping is bad whether it's the nut or the wood. Best to just not strip it out.

Dave

We use these whenever a knock down application is needed for furniture or cabinetry, they have a ton of bite. Never had one strip out from alder to ipe. http://www.mcmaster.com/#threaded-inserts/=9gphy5 Click on the self tapping. T

The hanger bolts look pretty....ratty.....but I counter sink them, then put a label over them when the guitar is finished. Collings uses counter sunk hanger bolts with a wood plug over them.

Collings neck attachment, from their web site.

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Dave,

Mine are the same as the Lee Valley ones. I just buy LOTS so I can keep the price down. They look and work great (according to my customers). Anyway, I stock them mostly for those that like "one stop shopping".

Shane

_________________
Canada

Using threaded rod or hanger bolts can look good if you use a brass domehttp://pmpindia.in/images/brass_dome_nuts_large_1.gif nut.

_________________
http://goatrockukulele.com

Dave, these will pull out before they strip from rotation, whether they are steel or brass. But the brass ones will pull out before the steel (thus messing up the wood), because they don't have as deep a thread.

McFeeleys is good. I use the steel ones with the hex drive.

Filippo, Ace is not a hardware store chain. It is a hardware store buying coop. There's no guarantee that any two of them stock the same things, but they all can order anything under the Ace name.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

If you look up your Ace in the phone book or google you will notice that it has a local name - like my Ace here is actually Zimmerman's hardware. It is kind of good as it lets local hardware store compete with the other two big names out there - under the Ace name - which is international -
There is a local hardware store in Lima Peru with the Ace name.

_________________
It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX