Pickup Screw Hole Too Big...How to Fix?

[saxdragon]

I've got an Epi Non-Reverse T-bird. The pup configuration is PB&J. One of the Humbuckers can't be adjusted because the screw has torn up the wood. I guess I need to fill the hole and drill it the right size for the screw. What do I use to do that? Putty...filler...toothpicks and Elmer's glue?

Thanks,
saxD

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by saxdragon

I've got an Epi Non-Reverse T-bird. The pup configuration is PB&J. One of the Humbuckers can't be adjusted because the screw has torn up the wood. I guess I need to fill the hole and drill it the right size for the screw. What do I use to do that? Putty...filler...toothpicks and Elmer's glue?
Thanks,
saxD

That.

[Strat Hater]

Can you find a small hardwood dowel? Smaller the better, drill the hole to the same size of the dowel, put carpenters glue on the end of the dowel and insert it in the hole and let it dry. Then cut of the dowel so it is about flush and re drill the hole. That's my idea at least

[littlepope]

Srat Hater-excellent idea. Good holding power to use wood for gripping the screws, not just Elmer's Glue. Ran into the same problem when adding a thumbrest on a P bass.

Elmer never played bass, guitar, synthe, flute, tenor sax, roto-toms or Rhodes piano.

[C.Linton]

I disagree, the dowel method is un-necessary extra work. No need to go to all the trouble of drilling and flliing with a dowel then re-drilling another hole, the toothpick method works perfectly fine. The holding power is just as strong as the dowel method, especially in a low-stress situation like a pickup mounting.

[Gopher Bob]

I've used the toothpick method for loose strap screw holes and elmers. Solved the problem never had an issue again with those. I agree getting a dowel is much more work than you need.

I have to re-drill an output jack hole and I plugged it with a hickory drumstick and cut the end off. Not sure how that will work out but if you wish me luck on that I'll wish you luck with your pickup screw hole dilemma!

[mongo2]

If you have toothpicks and a dowel then pick one.

If you have to go buy one of those and have the other, then use the other.

If you have to go out and buy them then pick whichever one is cheapest and closest to save on gas.

You've got the glue right? Cause if you don't then that's a whole 'nother horse of a different color.

[Torren61]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

I disagree, the dowel method is un-necessary extra work. No need to go to all the trouble of drilling and flliing with a dowel then re-drilling another hole, the toothpick method works perfectly fine. The holding power is just as strong as the dowel method, especially in a low-stress situation like a pickup mounting.

What HE said.

[grendle]

Toothpick method, or if your adventurous you can get small machine screw inserts. Drill slightly, tap them in and use a machine screw, no more chewed up wood .

[dmaki]

Toothpick and Elmer's. No need to over-engineer.

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by C.Linton

I disagree, the dowel method is un-necessary extra work. No need to go to all the trouble of drilling and flliing with a dowel then re-drilling another hole, the toothpick method works perfectly fine. The holding power is just as strong as the dowel method, especially in a low-stress situation like a pickup mounting.

Ya, the toothpick should work fine here. You really only need to brake out a dowel if the hole has gotten way larger than the screw.

[line6man]

Personally, I would use baking soda and CA glue.
This method works well for stripped control plate holes, it should work well for pickup mounting holes, too.

[tdub0199]

yep a toothpick is all you need....

[Nev375]

I'm going to defer to my dad's advice on such matters. If it's worth doing, then it's worth doing right.

So I'm going to +1 the drill, dowel, drill method. I'd choose yellow wood glue over white Elmers. Kids these days, always looking for a quick fix.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by dmaki

Toothpick and Elmer's. No need to over-engineer.

+1. Absolutely!

[PhiDeck]

I prefer match-sticks to toothpicks. Because their wood is softer, and their sides parallel, they more completely fill the excess space, including the threads cut by the previous screw. If you use enough match-sticks, they compress to a similar density to that of toothpicks, but with fewer voids. Make sure they bottom out, by gently tapping them in with a small hammer. I've never found glue to be necessary.

I agree that the dowel approach is needless work.

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by Nev375

I'm going to defer to my dad's advice on such matters. If it's worth doing, then it's worth doing right.

So I'm going to +1 the drill, dowel, drill method. I'd choose yellow wood glue over white Elmers. Kids these days, always looking for a quick fix.

If you are really "doing it right" then a dowel is the wrong choice. Dowels are turned in such a way that you will be drilling and screwing into the end grain of the wood.

It will be no better a repair than the toothpick method. Using an epoxy-based filler or the CA glue and baking soda is a better fix.

All that said, I'd almost certainly do the toothpick and wood glue method and forget about it.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by PhiDeck

I prefer match-sticks to toothpicks.

That reminded me that I once used a chop-stick appropriated from the Chinese restuarant across from our gig for an emergency repair of our guitarist's stripped strap button screwhole. I just jammed it in there, snapped it off sort of flush with the body and screwed the strapbutton back on.

I still have the rest of the chopstick and it's mate in my gig bag...just in case.

[saxdragon]

CHOPSTICK!

(Thanks to everybody for your sage advice. You were all right!)

[slaphappychappy]

Bigger screw????