Threaded wood inserts

[CH Design]

I couldn't get the SS inserts to work, even when I started with a bigger pilot hole. The other inserts went right in without any trouble. I was even able to go with a smaller pilot hole.

While I was reading around to see if other have had similar problems, I food a few non-guitar specific articles and videos where people just tapped the wood like a piece of metal. The only added step was to drip some low viscosity CA on the threads to harden them and run the tap back through to clean things up. Does anyone know if this has been done on a neck joint? I'm thinking of trying it. Six 1/4-20 bolts should give me plenty of grip. Any thoughts?

[CH Design]

Lets see how it works out!

[ctmullins]

So - that's just tapping threads into the wood? I think I'd use the zinc inserts before I'd do that.

[CH Design]

I just want to see if it will work. If something lets go there is still a lot of wood around the holes to use inserts.

[pilotjones]

Pretty sure Dingwall taps his maple necks for machine screws.

I've tapped maple and padauk for my knobs and bridge elevator screws.

[CH Design]

Elrick uses machine screws for their bolt-on necks well, although I have no idea if they use inserts.

Since the screws aren't really put under that much tension, so it would surprise me if it didn't work.

[ctmullins]

Originally Posted by fretless_guy

I just want to see if it will work. If something lets go there is still a lot of wood around the holes to use inserts.

Ah, that makes sense. I like it! Let us know how well it works!

So it looks like you're not using body ferrules either - is that right? Those bolts have a fairly generous shoulder.

[CH Design]

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Ah, that makes sense. I like it! Let us know how well it works!

So it looks like you're not using body ferrules either - is that right? Those bolts have a fairly generous shoulder.

Correct. The angle of the shoulder on a countersink machine screw matches the angle of most standard chamfer bits. If everything lines up, the entire underside of the shoulder should be sitting against wood.