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Installing tuners (the blasted little screws!!)

#21
Thanks for the tips Hopkins. Will it still work if it came off?? Cause mine did. I was thinking that if and or when I finish the back of the neck and headstock eventually, I'm not touching the fretboard if I finish it, that if I put the decal on again, let it dry and put poly over it, it should be ok.....???

Here she is. After looking at the pic, I installed the tuners just a tad crooked but oh well, it works, and I like the way it looks. I'm happy.

E68D1707-962B-4896-8DAD-CF6DCDF240D0_zps86fcvhqv.jpg
 
#23
Hopkins said:
The wrong screw driver will strip them every time. Using the correct tools, drilling pilot holes, and lubricating the screws, I have never had a problem with the screws included with the tuners.
Click to expand...


^^^

This. And not only this, but a quality screwdriver. Generally a good #1 will be perfect. But I've also had cheap #1's where you could easily strip the screw head.

[EDIT] A nifty trick I use to keep the machines parallel with each other is to clamp a thin straight edge to the back of the headstock. Nest the tuners against it. They will generally have a straight edge on them, or two points that function as a straight line. As long as they are all riding the straight edge, they will come out parallel with each other.
 
#24
JoeWPgh said:
^^^

This. And not only this, but a quality screwdriver. Generally a good #1 will be perfect. But I've also had cheap #1's where you could easily strip the screw head.

[EDIT] A nifty trick I use to keep the machines parallel with each other is to clamp a thin straight edge to the back of the headstock. Nest the tuners against it. They will generally have a straight edge on them, or two points that function as a straight line. As long as they are all riding the straight edge, they will come out parallel with each other.
Click to expand...


I was thinking of doing something like they but I lose patience to quickly with these sort of things. I know, probably not a good trait when working on a bass doing these sort of things. But I am what I am and do what I do. It turned out great ion so I'm happy with it. Thanks for tip. I may or may not do that when and or if I decide to take it all apart again and finish the back of the neck and headstock.
 
#25
gregmon79 said:
I was thinking of doing something like they but I lose patience to quickly with these sort of things. I know, probably not a good trait when working on a bass doing these sort of things. But I am what I am and do what I do. It turned out great ion so I'm happy with it. Thanks for tip. I may or may not do that when and or if I decide to take it all apart again and finish the back of the neck and headstock.
Click to expand...
It looks great!. I just threw that out there, as it might be helpful to others.
 
#26
Hopkins said:
The wrong screw driver will strip them every time. Using the correct tools, drilling pilot holes, and lubricating the screws, I have never had a problem with the screws included with the tuners.
Click to expand...

Those tiny screws can be a pain - I more-or-less effortlessly twisted the head off one while installing a Hipshot D-tuner. The screw took almost no torque to break, even with a pre-drilled hole and the right screwdriver. I had to drill-and-fill to get the blasted thing out but, fortunately, the D-tuner mounting plate hides everything. Lubricating the screws is a good idea, but might not help much with size tiny.
 
#27
michaelandrew said:
Those tiny screws can be a pain - I more-or-less effortlessly twisted the head off one while installing a Hipshot D-tuner. The screw took almost no torque to break, even with a pre-drilled hole and the right screwdriver. I had to drill-and-fill to get the blasted thing out but, fortunately, the D-tuner mounting plate hides everything. Lubricating the screws is a good idea, but might not help much with size tiny.
Click to expand...

No, lubricating the screw with wax will help a ton. I have installed hundreds of these screws.
 
#28
gregmon79 said:
Thanks for the tips Hopkins. Will it still work if it came off?? Cause mine did. I was thinking that if and or when I finish the back of the neck and headstock eventually, I'm not touching the fretboard if I finish it, that if I put the decal on again, let it dry and put poly over it, it should be ok.....???

Here she is. After looking at the pic, I installed the tuners just a tad crooked but oh well, it works, and I like the way it looks. I'm happy.

E68D1707-962B-4896-8DAD-CF6DCDF240D0_zps86fcvhqv.jpg
Click to expand...


If the decal is off of the paper it is probably rolled up and there is very little chance of getting it installed on the headstock.
 
#30
gregmon79 said:
It's actually flat. It was on the headstock all night. I started working on it this morning and I accidentally wiped it off. It's still in one piece, all in tact. I'm just guessing the glue is all gone though.
Click to expand...

There actually isn't really any adhesive on them, the cellulose film will work upside down as well. I am not sure what makes it stick.
 
#38
I travel a fair bit with work and one of my comfort on the road things is to take my own soap. As such I never need the soap they provide in the hotels but I generally take it when I leave. Perfect use for crappy soap is lubing the rails on my router radius jig and screws as well. Great for camping as well :)
 

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