Inserts for neck bolts

What're You Doing?
ruby@magpage.com
Posts: 1564
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 8:03 am
Location: Chestertown Maryland

Inserts for neck bolts

Post by ruby@magpage.com »

I am making my first neck (ukulele) and am installing my first threaded inserts for neck bolts. My problem may be that I using Osage Orange which is quite hard, but I can't seem to get the insert's threads started. Here are some shots of my set-up, and there is text below each picture.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/ ... 721991842/


Any ideas? Many thanks.

Ed
Ed M
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by tippie53 »

I use my drill press you can flip the table to clamp and secure the piece. if you can do that you can make a square set up with plywood. It is more accurate the hand drilling.

I get my inserts here .
http://us.essentracomponents.com/shop/P ... reId=10152
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
ruby@magpage.com
Posts: 1564
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 8:03 am
Location: Chestertown Maryland

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by ruby@magpage.com »

My drill press table does not tilt, but I rigged up a holder and used the pressure of the chuck and a wrench to seat the insert - thanks

Ed
Ed M
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by tippie53 »

glad to help
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
MaineGeezer
Posts: 1711
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by MaineGeezer »

In hard wood, you may need to bore the holes for the inserts fairly large.

I've also found that at least for the smaller inserts I need drive them with something that screws into the insert with a stop to keep it from screwing in too far, vs. using the slots cut in the insert's top edge. I made an elegant piloted driver that engaged the top slots....and promptly shattered two inserts because the slots couldn't withstand the torque.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by tippie53 »

the inserts are to be set in with the slots down I use a shoulder bolt to insert them. I learned that trick out at martin.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
ruby@magpage.com
Posts: 1564
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 8:03 am
Location: Chestertown Maryland

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by ruby@magpage.com »

Look onc more at my original post with pictures - there is a shot of a bole with the head cut offo and 2 nuts on it - no stress on anything.

And John - Rockler says to use a screwdriver to install, and a maker (ez something) says to use a screwdriver. I have been told that some have the slots cut down into the threads and THOSE are for slot down, whereas on the one I had, the slot comes nowhere near the threads, so it is a screwdriver slot

Ed
Ed M
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by tippie53 »

I was referring to the inserts that I posted. I can't see your inserts on the pics . I can only see the one pic.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
MaineGeezer
Posts: 1711
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by MaineGeezer »

A shoulder bolt would be an excellent installation tool, I'd think. Two nuts jammed together certainly works as well.

I wonder if the slots are intended to be used for removing the inserts, rather than for installing them.
The only inserts I've broken though, by using the slots to install them, have been the small ones threaded 10-32. The larger sizes may by strong enough to be installed using the slots.
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Inserts for neck bolts

Post by tippie53 »

The inserts that I use will come out . Just work the bolt back down and it lets you pull them as well as insert them. I have a different insert that is heavier that is installed with a screw driver but I don't like them they take too much of a hole to mount.
I use the same one Martin uses and never seen one fail yet.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Post Reply