Official Luthiers Forum!

I just read the thread on threaded inserts and learned some good information. I've been using the transverse barrel inserts as shown on W. Cumpiano's website. Has anyone found this to be inferior/superior to the axial threaded inserts?
I had thought that the axial threaded inserts might pull out easier, but Dave's ("ballbanjos") test seems to indicate that the axial nuts are certainly adequate, at least in big leaf maple. Would the results be different in mahogany?

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Threaded inserts will hold a lot better if you put a dowel or inlay a strip of wood with the grain going the opposite direction of the heel. Long grain will hold better than end grain.

There are thousands of Taylor and Collings guitars out there with threaded inserts, the neck joints seem to be holding up fine.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I used barrel nuts on my first couple of guitars. I've moved to inserts, first brass and now stainless steel. Check out item number 95807A300 from McMaster Carr. They are real nice. I make 5 piece necks so I'm not too worried about strength.
Those are 8-18, so you might want to use the same type screw to avoid galvanic corrosion. I would use a little light grease to help stop galling.

Here is one with the SS inserts -

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I use and really like the barrel bolts ala Cumpiano. I have one neck ready to mount now where I cut the tenon too short for barrel bolts and have installed brass inserts in it.    One thing I like better about the barrel bolts is they can be positioned slightly, in and out, and up and down, if needed to help in allignment.   Mostly I like them cause that's what I started with and they work.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Steve S,

Wow, I really like the allen head insert.

I've never done a bolt-on to this point but have now been considering it.  Of five guitars out there I know one is close to needing a neck reset.  I also have read what a PITA that job is with the additional danger of finish repair, it flutters in the back of my mind how much easier future repair would be with the use of bolt on necks.

Thanks for sharing the part number and dealer, Bruce

[QUOTE=old man] I use and really like the barrel bolts ala Cumpiano.   

Ron[/QUOTE]

I'm with Ron...I've used both and prefer the barrel bolts. In addition to Ron's rationale, I prefer to avoid screwing the inserts into end grain.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Up to now I have also used the barrel nuts. I want to try inserts as that means I won't need a tenon and I can make the neck block smaller. Should be even easier to get a fine looking joint too.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin