Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all,

I've been trying to find a source other than LMI (expensive) for threaded inserts...I've used the hardware store ones a couple of times, but it makes me nervous...maybe nothing wrong with them and LMI just has a good thing going charging $8 a pair for theirs...anyone out there getting them for less? I guess $8 over the cost of a guitar isn't a big deal, but I'd like to get a box of the things and be done with it. Thanks.

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

I don't have a source for you other than Mc Master Carr. However one thing to keep in mind about the hardware store's inserts is that the cheaper the price the cheaper the manufacturing process. The cheap ones are die cast. The really good ones re machined, but the machined ones are 2 to 10 times the price of die cast. That said I am not knocking die cast The fact is that in all but the most exacting usages die cast are just fine. But in cases where precision is required machined may be needed. Imo for neck attachment proposes die cast will work fine. However to most luthiers the appearance and quality of the component is as important as the structural integrity alone.MichaelP38453.4890162037

Reid Tool Supply. They've got it all. I'm pretty sure they have a site where you can order and request a catalog as well. Be SURE to order the flang-less inserts. I ordered 100 flanged by mistake and they don't work with my system very well. Good luck. Paul

Paul,
do you have an website address for reid supply?
Thanks,walter

Paul,

Do you recall what size inserts you ordered/thread count/etc.?

Thanks!russ38453.512662037

Walter: reidtool.com should get you there.
Russ: The ones I use are 1/4 x 20 inside and go into a 3/8 hole. I drill a 23/64 hole just to make sure they are tight as the runnout on my drillpress is more that I would like.

Paul,

Thanks for the info!

I ordered a bunch from Lee Valley, of the kind Mario reccomended on the MIMF. They're slightly tapered, drive in with a hex wrench, and sit good and tight. Russ, if you're interested I can give you a few to experiment with.

Are the ones at Reid the coarse thread inserts with the screwdriver slots cut into the end?

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No Larry, they are hex drive insert. They sound like the ones Mattia is talking about from Lee Valley. But, yes they are coarse threaded and sit very firmly once placed.

Larry, I got the course threaded ones at Ace Hardware in Germantown. They are the hex drive and seem to work fine.
They also have the machined brass, but I like the other ones better.Jimmie D38453.6692824074

I second the opinion that the course threaded ones from the hardware store are better than the brass ones. You get a better grip on them when inserting them because of the hex key. The longer threads dig into the wood better. The taper helps with alignment. I wick a bit of CA glue around the outside after I've set them flush.

I had no end of problems trying to seat the brass ones. The slot stripped. I went to putting a nut on a screw shaft and locking it down that way. The smaller threads didn't dig in a well and the hole stripped. I ended up replacing them with the other kind. I had to fill the holes and re-drill. There were other problems with that neck as well and I ended up replacing it. I'll never try to use the bass inserts again.

Hi Jimmie, yes, those are what I was using, and I guess they're fine...I had 3 sets of the LMI ones and maybe I was just seduced by the "LMI" packaging and "legitimacy" that seems to come from all of their admittedly overpriced stuff! We'll see when I string these 6 up in any case...3 are LMI inserts and the other 3 ACE hardware! Thanks to everyone for all the quick repsonses...I love this forum!

Larry

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Mattia,

I amy take you up on your offer. I'll give you a shout about it...Do you have bolts/washers to match?

[QUOTE=russ] Mattia,

I amy take you up on your offer. I'll give you a shout about it...Do you have bolts/washers to match?[/QUOTE]

Bolts, yes, washers, no. Want to get some spring washers in the US, since I can't seem to find the ones I want here, but I admit I haven't looked hard. Only found the 'split' spring washers so far, no bellville style ones. The bolts I have are 1.5" and 2" long (shaft length, excluding the head), and the inserts are .5" or .75" in length. The bolts are brass-coloured things, large, round, flat allen-key heads. Not like the LMI ones. Have some LMI-style ones, but they're euro/M6 threaded. Hardware store in Italy has them by the bucketload, allsorts.

I should add the inserts are flanged (I countersink a hole for them, not biggie), and cast, not machined. Just FYI. Also have knockdown barrel bolts if you want a few of those to play around with.

Unless you're in a really big hurry (ie, want them now), it's probably easiest after I'm back from my US trip. I've got another 3 days to fret, polish, setup and wire an electric, and then I'm hoppin' on a plane! Although, I'll be in town several times before then, so it's no biggie.Mattia Valente38453.7429398148

MAttia,

No rush...will talk to you after your trip.

Have fun!

I have them and stock them at blues creek guitars.
They are $2 a piece
John Hall

Does anyone use stainless hardware?

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DES - Shepherd, MI