Official Luthiers Forum!

My current build will have truss rod access via the headstock and I’m wondering what is the best way to thread the hole for the screw. Should I just drill an under-sized hole and then screw the screw in? Is it a good idea to reinforce the threads by soaking them with CA? Any advice would be appreciated.

TIA

I just drill an undersized hole and screw them in like a tuner, unless you're making an aluminum headplate or something... it's not exactly a critical area..

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I would say you are fine with just drilling a smaller pilot hole. But only if you are using a hardwood as a headplate. You might want to do your CA trick if its a softer wood that wont hold tension.

_________________
-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
Instagram | YouTube

An undersized hole will be fine. Find the right amount of "undersized" by drilling some test bores into scrap of the same species as your headstock or headplate. The screw will be self-threading into the bore hole. It'll hold just fine. Do it "dry" first and see how it works for you. If you DO put CA glue in the hole, don't put your screw in there for 24 hours! On the truss rod cover itself, make your hole just a tiny smidgeon bigger than the screw threads. You'll be amazed how easily this will work out.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. The headstock is mahogany and the headplate and truss rod cover will be rosewood, so I think I'll go ahead with what you guys suggested.

The new Stew Mac guitar tech screwdriver kit has little wood screw taps in it isn sizes 2-5. That is a handy little red box, replaced a small drawer of screwdrivers and other tools.

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/