straplock tragedy!

Joe Nerve · #1 03-23-2007, 09:49 AM

was putting straplocks on my new stingray yesterday evening. while putting the one in the horn it got to the point where no amount of my human strength could turn it any more. but i persisted. to make a long story short - the screw head is stripped in both directions, there's about a 16th of an inch of the screw exposed beneath the pin (not enough to get any tool that I own into) and it's impossible to grip the head.

does this mean I have to rip the damn screw out, stuff the hole with toothpicks, and start all over - or would someone better equipped for this job be able to remove the screw.

this sucks.

Ibanezzer · #2 03-23-2007, 10:05 AM

sorry to hear about that, If it were me I would not try to fix that myself, i'd suggest taking it to a shop that you trust maybe they will have had to fix a similiar problem in the past I would think?

thehurlatron · #3 03-23-2007, 10:39 AM

You'd sacrifice the strap button, but if you were to saw it off (about 1/2 way, then you could put some vice grips on the newly headless screw.

Jimbob Jones · #4 03-23-2007, 10:41 AM

I would offer to fix that, but im in the UK...

but heres how I'd do it: Cut a slot across the screw head with a junior hacksaw, then use a sharp flat bladed screwdriver to get the screw out. Then once its out, put the straplock back in, but use a smaller screw!!

Joe Nerve · #5 03-23-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbob Jones

I would offer to fix that, but im in the UK...

but heres how I'd do it: Cut a slot across the screw head with a junior hacksaw, then use a sharp flat bladed screwdriver to get the screw out. Then once its out, put the straplock back in, but use a smaller screw!!

problem is ya can't even get to the head of the screw. the strap-peg is recessed, it's a slot that the screw goes in. can only reach with the screwdriver, and you can't fit nothing BUT a screwdriver in the hole. :P I'm goin to my local fix it guy in a little while. gonna see what he can do. fingers are crossed.

pointbass · #6 03-23-2007, 11:40 AM

Well that's a drag Joe, I hope your guy can get it straighted out. The Dunlop straplocks all seem to have longer screws than the ones in the non-lock buttons. I usually just take a very small drill and extend the hole just a bit.

Yeah, that's definitely a drag .....

Beej · #7 03-23-2007, 11:41 AM

For the life of me, I can't remember what its called, but you can buy a tool that removes stripped bolts/screws exactly like you describe. Its basically a drill bit with teeth that grab into the wallowed out hole. Works like a charm. A good tool supplier should have one and they are cheap...

chucko58 · #8 03-23-2007, 11:41 AM

Drill out the screw head, remove the button, try the hacksaw trick.

scottice · #9 03-23-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beej

For the life of me, I can't remember what its called, but you can buy a tool that removes stripped bolts/screws exactly like you describe. Its basically a drill bit with teeth that grab into the wallowed out hole. Works like a charm. A good tool supplier should have one and they are cheap...

I think it is a Sears Craftsman product.

thehurlatron · #10 03-23-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucko58

Drill out the screw head, remove the button, try the hacksaw trick.

I have one of those, and it does work well, BUT it's too big to fit into a strap button.

lonote · #11 03-23-2007, 12:53 PM

The tool is called an "easy out."

Foamy · #12 03-23-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucko58

Drill out the screw head, remove the button, try the hacksaw trick.

Once the button is off, you can probably grab the screw with locking pliers (Vise grips) and get it out. Grab it sideways though - not from the end. You'll get more contact and grip sideways.

Then....measure the NEW screw, and pre-drill the PROPER size pilot hole and you'll have no problems.

NOTE: When drilling, the bit is likely to grab and spin the button too. Make sure and protect the body from being scraped by the spinning button. And wear safety glasses!

Joe Nerve · #13 03-23-2007, 02:11 PM

My musicstore guy (Mike Maggion from Maggio Music in Bklyn, a place Nino Valenti used to work) had a screwdriver that did the trick with no problem. I was busy checking out Jay Turser basses while he was doing it so I don't even know exactly what what went on - but it's fixed - and I gotta say that Jay Turser basses really give SXes a run for the money. I played an SX MM that I don't believe they make any more, and the Turser just now and I think the Turser kicked butt on the SX. For whatever that's worth.

JimmyM · #14 03-24-2007, 01:01 AM

Be like me...get one of each!

DillionVseries · #15 03-24-2007, 06:14 AM

First off. When you use straplocks. Always use the screw that came with the guitar. Thats what ive learned. When I played guitar i did the exact thing that happend to you.

jsbass · #16 03-24-2007, 07:32 AM

I used the screws that came with my Schaller set, everythings fine. I didn't have to toothpick the hole either since my bass is a newer (2005) Fender, they made the screws the same size now.

Scott in Dallas · #17 03-24-2007, 09:42 AM

For future reference, when it starts to get tight with that much screw left, remove the screw and drill the hole deeper. You can get away without a pilot hole in particle board, but not hardwoods. Stripping the head of the screw was the best of the possible scenarios.

Gun shops sell screw removers that are like EZ outs as well, some of them in smaller sizes that might work. It's worth a phone call.

**ExaltBass** · #18 03-26-2007, 06:50 PM

I agree with Scott in Dallas...

In addition to drilling the pilot hole to a proper depth - lubricate the screw (a little bar soap in the threads) and use the proper size Phillips driver that is in good condition.

Try to maintain a solid end-load on the driver during installation.

Brad Johnson · #19 03-26-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointbass

Well that's a drag Joe, I hope your guy can get it straighted out. The Dunlop straplocks all seem to have longer screws than the ones in the non-lock buttons. I usually just take a very small drill and extend the hole just a bit.

Yeah, that's definitely a drag .....

I drill a proper sized hole and test fit the screw by itself before installing. I had an external button's screw snap off while trying too hard to screw it in before. No fun. With recessed, even less.