Moving the strap button. Pre-drill or not?

oliverb4ss · #1 10-07-2007, 03:26 AM

My brand new T-Bird has serious neckdive that I'd like to get rid of, so I'm going to move the strap button.

I know I should move it behind the neck (is that right?).

But here's my question. When placing the button, should I just mark the correct place and screw the screw (funny sentence) in, or should I first drill a hole for the screw? I've been given advice on both, but I don't have a conclusive argument to end the dilemma.

So, what to do?

BadB · #2 10-07-2007, 03:34 AM

I don't know about where to relocate it, but I would drill a small pilot hole myself. I would be worried that I'd split the wood, or scuff up the finish.

erochelle77 · #3 10-07-2007, 08:59 AM

Always pre-drill.

PilbaraBass · #4 10-07-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erochelle77

Always pre-drill.

+152,398,421.6987272727...

the predrill hole size should match (or be only slightly smaller than) the size of the screw shaft (not the threads, the SHAFT)...

Johnny Crab · #5 10-07-2007, 05:38 PM

PRE DRILL!

Use a bit smaller than the screw.
If you need to take the guesswork out of how deep, use this trick with tape on the drill bit:

Epiphones have a few choices for relocation. Here are two:

This one drills into the "O" in "Korea":

For other birds:

Note:
If this is an Epiphone, please consider sone sort of glue in the hole and on the screw threads. Since some here have come loose "on their own", they get JB Weld epoxy.

Pilgrim · #6 10-08-2007, 04:24 PM

Not to argue, but using JB Weld or epoxy in any screw hole is asking for trouble in the future. Those adhesives may bond to the metal and as a result, the screw may twist off when you try to unscrew it.

My recommendation is NOT to use epoxy, JB Weld or super glue in any screw hole. Instead, use an appropriate wood filler (toothpicks are usually good) and either Titebond or some other wood glue to hold them in place. Those glues will not bond to metal and you will be able to back the screw out if/when you need to.

If you have a strap button screw hole stripped out so badly that an oversize screw and normal wood filler material won't work, you may have to drill out the hole, glue in a dowel, cut off and finish the dowel, then drill into the dowel to get a good mounting spot. Not fun.

newfuture · #7 10-09-2007, 06:44 PM

Absolutely drill a small pilot hole and don't screw in too tight. I cracked the finish on my MIM P-bass by over tightening the screws when I mounted straplocks.