Loose Screw...

Jojoe972 · #1 10-20-2010, 10:26 PM

I've been noticing my screw which keeps my strap on my bass, has been coming loose a lot lately. I've tightened it repeatedly, But it loosens after every session. I'm sure the screw has eaten up at the wood in the body. My question is...do you guys think it would be a good idea to stick the screw in there with some wood glue?

M0ses · #2 10-20-2010, 10:29 PM

Answer this question:

How much woodworking experience do you have?
a) I'm confident in using power tools on my bass
b) I won't bring a screwdriver anywhere near my bass

if the answer is b, take it to a repair guy. If it's a, say so and wait for further instructions, or do some searching, which would probably turn up what you need without too much trouble.

ehque · #3 10-21-2010, 03:08 AM

You don't need power tools. Remove the screw, glue a few toothpicks into the hole, clip off the excess toothpick and the screw the old screw into the hole. It should hold.

perogato02 · #4 10-21-2010, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

You don't need power tools. Remove the screw, glue a few toothpicks into the hole, clip off the excess toothpick and the screw the old screw into the hole. It should hold.

+ 1

Plays_For_Dog · #5 10-21-2010, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

You don't need power tools. Remove the screw, glue a few toothpicks into the hole, clip off the excess toothpick and the screw the old screw into the hole. It should hold.

Before you jam the screw into the recently filled hole... drill a pilot hole roughly the size of the shank. Shank meaning, the round part of the screw body without the threads. This way, there is room for your screw to enter it's new home, tight enough for screw threads to bite into the new wood for a hold, and also to prevent overcrowding of material. If you do not drill the pilot hole, you run the risk of splitting/cracking the wood and causing severe damage.

Once pilot hole is drilled, a little loctite on the threads is a good idea. This will make the threads of the screw sticky to further resist the screw from backing out. However, unlike glue, you can still remove the screw without damage to the instrument or screw.

M0ses · #6 10-21-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

You don't need power tools. Remove the screw, glue a few toothpicks into the hole, clip off the excess toothpick and the screw the old screw into the hole. It should hold.

Toothpicks are the softest wood I can think of, and while they're great for stuff like pickguard screw holes, I'd rather sit than trust my bass to a whole bunch of them. This is a job for a dowel.

mech · #7 10-21-2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

You don't need power tools. Remove the screw, glue a few toothpicks into the hole, clip off the excess toothpick and the screw the old screw into the hole. It should hold.

^^^^^^^^^^^This. Don't drill a pilot hole. Use Elmer's wood glue and don't wait till the glue sets up since it won't stick to the screw. One large square toothpick will probably be enough.

Driving the screw in while the glue is wet allows the toothpick to be formed against the sides of the hole to make a good bond.

mech

ehque · #8 10-21-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mech

^^^^^^^^^^^This. Don't drill a pilot hole. Use Elmer's wood glue and don't wait till the glue sets up since it won't stick to the screw. One large square toothpick will probably be enough.

Driving the screw in while the glue is wet allows the toothpick to be formed against the sides of the hole to make a good bond.

mech

+1. There's no need to drill a pilot hole if you don't stuff the hole full of toothpicks. Just glue 1 layer of toothpicks along the outside of the hole and screw your screw in while the glue sets. Removing the screw later will not damage the bass.

Using a dowel will necessitate a re-shape of the tip of the dowel to the shape of the bass, and will hence require a refinish.

American toothpicks are made out of birch.

Burlington · #9 10-21-2010, 09:19 AM

Wood glue and toothpicks. Don't use locktite.

Jojoe972 · #10 10-21-2010, 09:23 AM

As always...thanks for all the help guys!

bassteban · #11 10-21-2010, 09:26 AM

Loctite is meant for metal, no? At the very least be aware there are different grades of the stuff- blue is non-permanent; red is more like glue.
More on topic- this gets asked about every other month, w/similar replies to those above. If it's not bad, the toothpick method is pretty reliable. I slice splinters from a piece of alder or w/e I have lying about rather than go toothpick- this way you can tailor the(size of)material to the hole. I also drag the screws threads against a candle- the wax keeps it from getting stuck & also helps it go into the wood w/o tearing it up.

whitedk57 · #12 10-21-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

You don't need power tools. Remove the screw, glue a few toothpicks into the hole, clip off the excess toothpick and the screw the old screw into the hole. It should hold.

+1

Chasarms · #13 10-21-2010, 10:29 AM

It doesn't matter that much, but I always insert the toothpick and "mark" the depth with my thumb, pull it out and break it off, and then flip it around, dip in wood glue and then stick it in there so the point is facing outward.

That way the taper of the toothpick is opposite, and thus matched, to the taper of the screw.

I get there is no true science to toothpick-based repair, but that is the way I do it.

darkstorm · #14 10-22-2010, 07:48 PM

If its not too loose. Then fill with toothpicks and some wood glue will work just fine. I also put a little bit of wood glue on the screw itself last time I did this fix. Screw screw in firmly and slowly but dont try to tighten it down fully hard. Let dry overnight then do final little turn to tighten it down. If screw is super loose. Useig a harder then toothpick thin dowel glued in and new starter hole in that after its dry is suggested.

Chasarms way is best and same as mine referance mark, flip, reinsert with glue on it.

C.Linton · #15 10-22-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chasarms

It doesn't matter that much, but I always insert the toothpick and "mark" the depth with my thumb, pull it out and break it off, and then flip it around, dip in wood glue and then stick it in there so the point is facing outward.

That way the taper of the toothpick is opposite, and thus matched, to the taper of the screw.

I get there is no true science to toothpick-based repair, but that is the way I do it.

My method as well. Depending on how badly stripped the hole is, you may only need one or two toothpicks, and it may not even need glue, although using glue is probably safer.