Official Luthiers Forum!

So I've been trying to find hex drive 1/4-20 inserts for the neck bolts that install with an allen wrench. However I'm not having much luck finding them in Brass. Do you guys think the aluminum versionis strong enough. The S.S. seems like overkill.

This is the most cost effective I've found them.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/122/3322/=11l0zk0

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We use these...

Do they have them in aluminum? I think they may be zinc coated steel or zinc alloy.

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The reason that stainless is used so often is because the parts don't seize up from corrosion.
Aluminum is easily corroded, brass only slightly better.
You know, just in case a repair guy wants to take the instrument apart sometime.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I use the zinc alloy inserts for softwoods shown on the McMaster web page. The deeper broken thread seems to cut into and hold better than the shallower unbroken thread of the hardwood inserts. I make necks from relatively soft woods - mahogany, Spanish cedar, and walnut.

I use the stainless inserts and stainless bolts with anti-seize only because I don't want corrosion issues over time.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

How much of an issue is corrosion in this application. I admit, I've never really thought about it. Even a poorly cared for guitar probably won't be sitting out in the rain and snow for years on end. I use steel hanger bolts which would be pretty low on the corrosion resistance scale. Am I wrong for not being worried?

I've mentioned this before and still haven't done the test. I bet (assuming you use a cross grain dowel in the heel) simply tapping 14/20 threads into the wood of the heel would be strong enough. By that I mean that a prolonged force strong enough to strip the bolts out would have already damaged the box beyond repair.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Probably not a big deal, I haven't seen too much corrosion in the old guitars I've worked on but for me it's a carryover from work and, I think, is a higher quality solution.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"