Plugging stripped holes in bolt-on guitar necks

Рет қаралды 315,675

11 жыл бұрын

Dan Erlewine shows what he does when a bolt-on neck's mounting bolts aren't holding tight anymore.
Our free Trade Secrets emails are fun workshop stories and how-to tips. Subscribe now at www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets
If you have questions, please contact us through our webpage www.stewmac.com/email or visit our Facebook page / stewmac
Items featured in this Trade Secrets:
Neck Attachment Screws
www.stewmac.com/shopby/product...
Franklin Titebond Glue
www.stewmac.com/shopby/product...
Replacement Neck for Strat Guitar
www.stewmac.com/shopby/product...
Micro Chisels
www.stewmac.com/shopby/product...
StewMac Super Glue
www.stewmac.com/shopby/product...
Binding Tape
www.stewmac.com/shopby/product...

Пікірлер: 227

@happyhonker123 7 жыл бұрын

If the fit is too tight it creates an airtight seal and you won't be able to hammer it all the way down. I repair broken cello necks with dowels so I know what I'm talking about. I work around this problem by scoring a really small line down the entire length of the dowel with a knife. It creates a small hole just enough for air to escape. Another thing I do for a better fit is to is shape the tip of the dowel the exact shape of the drill bit. The drill bit is not flat so the dowel shouldn't be either.

@ikereed6847 5 жыл бұрын

Really nice tip!

@seansimpkin2584 5 жыл бұрын

@@ikereed6847 that's what she said.

@nicholasbstone 5 жыл бұрын

haha some guy said the same thing about scoring the dowel in the comments 2 years before this guy did.

@ray.shoesmith 4 жыл бұрын

Could you not drill a very small diameter hole through the centre of the dowel lengthways so the air can be forced out up the middle of the dowel? I mean you're drilling the dowel out later anyway so in essence you have a predrilled pilot hole as well. Of course I'm no luthier.

@Gumshoesamurai 3 жыл бұрын

@@ray.shoesmith I wonder the time cost of drilling a hole through a dowel that will 1) not sufficiently damage the structural integrity of the dowel 2) be centered enough to meet criteria one 3) Be small enough to meet criteria one 4) Be simple enough to save time

@moonstation8585 7 жыл бұрын

Glad we have the metric system over here :)

@sidewinkle2 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the pro lessons, Dan. I just copied your method to fix a stripped hole on my '77 Jazz. One concern I had, though, was compressing the air below the plug. You can create a small pocket of air at maybe 100+ PSI inside the neck! I used a utility knife to carefully cut a tiny groove up the side of the dowel, allowing the air to escape and the dowel to drive deep with no back pressure.

@gregt4202 5 жыл бұрын

You don't need dowel gauges for that job. Use the non-fluted portion of a drill to do the measurement.

@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney 4 жыл бұрын

Greg T That's what I do, but gauges are probably considerably more accurate. I can't imagine it's enough to make any difference in finished product, though.

@james6028 3 жыл бұрын

dowel gauges to measure a flogged out hole in wood what a joke!

@johanherrera6413 2 жыл бұрын

And this gentleman is why when elders speak we shut up and listen.

@SHREDTILLDEAD 2 жыл бұрын

@@johanherrera6413 when is the wedding?

@error404m 8 ай бұрын

When I buy dowels they have the size of the hold i should drill right on the pack. I've never had one be too loose or tight. Perhaps we have better quality dowels here??

@billygoatct 6 жыл бұрын

I love all these videos; I could watch them 24/7.

@michaelpthompson Жыл бұрын

Is there anything Dan Erlewine doesn't know? Brilliant!

@thecrankedamps 3 ай бұрын

He makes the smallest jobs big

@dougk8103 4 жыл бұрын

I used to loiter around your shop on main Street in Ann arbor Michigan watching you and your brother work. Great video and thanks again Dan.

@poodlenme 11 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I always read your repairs! Savex my beloved guitars many times! Thank you, you are a genius in guitar repair!

@kirkgreenman1386 6 жыл бұрын

Dan, Great Video - Stripping the dowel through the metal for size is very helpful - Thanks

@bristolfashion4421 3 жыл бұрын

As usual, a *ton* of stuff, packed up in 5 minutes... Thank-you again!

@gcheath 6 жыл бұрын

Hey Dan, I was always taught to groove the side of the dowel because you can split the neck as you're creating (in effect) a wooden piston and the compressed air needs somewhere to go. When I was a young cocky kid I didn't believe this and guess. what? Loving your work and guidance G

@ray.shoesmith 4 жыл бұрын

Pre-drill a small diameter pilot hole through the centre of the dowel. Lets the air escape

@infectionsman 4 жыл бұрын

you can get dowels with grooves in them from hardware stores, it helps the wood glue seep out also

@RustyCigrit 7 жыл бұрын

subscribed!! im 18 years old and wanting to start repairing and working on guitars i really have no one or know where to learn so i hope to see more diy or learning videoes!

@MusicFillsMyLife 11 жыл бұрын

Just the right amount of information and presentation. Well done!

@rafaelcoli4797 4 жыл бұрын

Dan, I've been seeing you videos and learning a lot from you. Thanks!

@oldcharon 11 жыл бұрын

this worked perfect! I don't have quite the shop you do, but even with a cordless drill and a quick run to my local craft store I was able to pull this off.

@roadkill4561 8 жыл бұрын

wow. incredible work. We used to use toothpicks and superglue to fill striped holes. not as professional as this but worked a treat.

@apr8189 4 жыл бұрын

Good thing I've come across this video. Got a CIJ Fender 50's reissue stratocaster neck with not one, not two, but ALL FOUR mounting holes stripped.

@thetugisthedrugfishing3434 4 жыл бұрын

Watching him work is so therapeutic.

@bobsaturday4273 8 жыл бұрын

just went down the list ; Stew-Mac , I get it , you are the rocknroll scientist !

@Diego7Strat 2 жыл бұрын

really great content, as always. you're the best.

@jonq8714 9 жыл бұрын

Fantastic tutorial.

@cthep 11 жыл бұрын

So much technique for such a simple task!

@PrinceWesterburg 7 жыл бұрын

Unless its a real vintage instrument, usually I glue in a section of drum stick as its made of hickory which is about twice the strength of maple. It looks odd but the glue area is massive and frankly, none will ever see it!

@johnpick8336 5 жыл бұрын

No Doubt About It Dan YOU R THE MAN !!! THANK U

@johnhowe4079 10 жыл бұрын

I tight fit'n dowel is fun to hammer through!

@Joolian.r 5 жыл бұрын

Hahahahahahahaha

@dudetheclown 2 жыл бұрын

Great information, thank you!

@peachmelba1000 3 жыл бұрын

If you're not in a hurry, use Titebond, or another strong wood glue. It takes longer to cure, but it will strengthen the area of the plug significantly.

@MDK2323 9 жыл бұрын

I love these videos.

@mjallenuk 6 жыл бұрын

Nice trick with the hole punch and tape ... I'll have to remember that one!

@LanceJordan 3 жыл бұрын

This may seem like cheating but is there any reason why you can't just use a slightly thicker bolt screw?

@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney 4 жыл бұрын

Man, a bunch of good tips here. I tend to always drill them to 1/4" or 5/16", and use hickory or red oak dowels, but then my aim isn't to look factory and I'm sure I overkill it by a lot. I'll remember that plate steel trick, though. I also use Titebond, should I not?

@dougieladd 10 жыл бұрын

Great video..!

@Thirdgen83 Жыл бұрын

Mad skills.

@NlessBuzz 11 жыл бұрын

Great info, thanks!

@Argentuza 5 ай бұрын

When I'm in darkness and about to give up Dan appears out of the blue with an awesome idea to save my life 🤪thanks Dan.

@cincodimaggio1824 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I'm about to do that kind of job.

@hiphopwong 2 жыл бұрын

I watch Dan's videos to learn how to do it myself and after watching, I just want to send it to him to fix!

@davidfriesen7748 8 жыл бұрын

great idea! Thanks

@HeyItsAsmus 9 ай бұрын

man Dan is so awesome. I'd love to have him fix my Jim Root Strat neck :(

@georgemifsud1425 6 жыл бұрын

all the way from malta mr you good tns

@Alkaline198 Жыл бұрын

This guy is a legend

@DoctorShogoMemorial 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Again!!

@arnarne 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful work! A small tip from a leather worker though; always put a piece of leather under the piece you are punching. That way the puncher will stay sharp much longer. Punches are time consuming to sharpen.

@ScrapwoodCity 5 жыл бұрын

Super accurate work!

@jak5745 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you means a lot

@3dsman 11 жыл бұрын

Good vid as always! You're the "Norm Abrams" of the guitar world for sure! When I was a kid I helped my dad working on repair jobs at the apartments he/we owned and whenever we encountered stripped wood screws we just inserted wooden match sticks into the hole and snapped 'em off to depth (removing the flamable tip end of course). These were typically door hinges or cabinet hinges but it would work in a pinch on a cheap-o guitar where you're just looking to fix something quick.

@onkelsam8454 5 жыл бұрын

Man .. You work like a german Master... great

@ZeppelinFan70 9 жыл бұрын

@4:53 you can see he drilled through the fretboard a bit. All those tools and no depth gauge???

@tokenblakguy7268 8 жыл бұрын

Hilarious. Good eye, Robert B!

@PrinceWesterburg 7 жыл бұрын

Haha - I was watching thinking that - you're right, bit of rosewood there! Its easily done though, accidentally went right through once. Solution: Inlays!

@Arcturian1111 5 жыл бұрын

Lmfao

@Arcturian1111 5 жыл бұрын

He did... Lol

@rickss69 5 жыл бұрын

@@PrinceWesterburg Rosewood dowel lol...

@bassmentality 7 жыл бұрын

Dan that Dowel Gauge case will cost me around $400 or more!. I tend to reverse my wood drills and see which is between a snug fit and a tight fit. That costs me nothing so I'm ahead already! Then I do as Dan does!

@Kozmo260 11 жыл бұрын

Well done Dan is the man! I have done threaded inserts on all 4 holes in the past. Sure wish I had that curved block of wood to set the neck on the drill press table!

@marminoz 5 жыл бұрын

One trick is to make a jig with two flat pieces of softwood "bookending" the two sides of the neck + a couple of g-clamps. Keeps your neck "flat" + the frets do not even need to touch your table.

@bowfrog 11 жыл бұрын

Tape or setting the drill press up for a depth stop. Good job Dan!!

@carmineredd1198 2 жыл бұрын

dan is too stupid to do that

@Arcturian1111 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Thanks for this info. I was gonna use the wood glue till I saw this video. Yep, crazy glue is the way.

@bluehornet6752 9 жыл бұрын

Seems like there should be more material (diameter) for the dowel in order to not crack out when you drill and reinsert the screw? I've never done one of these, and it just may be the camera angle, but it doesn't look like there's much more than 0.025-0.030" or so material outside the new hole in the dowel. Aren't you worried about it cracking away (or just not holding) when you apply some torque to tighten the screw on reassembly? Great videos though--amazing education in these StewMac vids...

@askgmoney 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the guidance on the drill bits. What about the dowel index set in that big wooden case? Google hasn't been my friend ...

@CalenCoffman 11 жыл бұрын

I wish this guy was my grandpa! Haha! He does great work.

@t-boog2173 5 жыл бұрын

Dan didn't mention if the dowel was made of maple. Are most common dowels made of a hard wood? Can I use pretty much any wood dowel? (My local Lowe's has dowels made from a few diff woods but none are maple)

@GeoZero 6 жыл бұрын

Great video. Wish you guys sold dowels.

@stevelaferney3579 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Dan, Thanks.. Suggestion... How about putting a piece of tape on the end of dowel you’re cutting off so it doesn’t fly away? :)

@surfz247 9 жыл бұрын

Would you do the same method on a fender strat tremolo bridge? I just updated my trem bridge and the holes don't line up.

@FrankOlsonTwins 4 жыл бұрын

Glad to see I'm not the only one who cuts dowels to size with a hobby knife!

@DogRox 8 жыл бұрын

I've done similar things like that to Old guitars and brought them back to life long time ago. :-) super glue and wood can be your friend :-) hee-hee! Although I remember a long time ago there was this brass inserts that you can use machine bolts to bolt a guitar neck on and it had a heavy brass plate for the neck plate on the back of the body. I can't remember the name of them though, but I've used them in the past, years ago. I don't even think they make them anymore because I have never seen them around for quite a while.

@qqkk5581 4 жыл бұрын

You should've used a maple dowel - not poplar - Woodcraft or Rockler has a much larger selection of woods. Also, the dowel didn't bottom perfectly because the air wasn't able to escape. If the dowel is too wide then lathe it down in a vised drill and use sandpaper until a perfect fit can be achieved.

@3dsman 11 жыл бұрын

I forgot to ask.. I didn't see you using a depth stop gauge, so how did you keep from drilling through the neck by accident? Just eye-balled it and used an experienced hand? I would definitely have set a depth stop... but that's just me.

@jocamaluxc 11 жыл бұрын

I'd love to have him as my personal guitar tech.

@brunopmcosta 4 жыл бұрын

What are your thoughts on threaded inserts?

@quentinkaramitsos6446 5 жыл бұрын

This guy know every trick in the book

@ilpatongi 5 жыл бұрын

Quentin Karamitsos Experience I guess. Something that you just can’t learn quickly

@billpholde4816 Жыл бұрын

Great, super-informative video, as usual! Still, there's something I don't want to drill down to the bottom of when when Dan says, "A tight fittin' dowel is fun to hammer through." 3:18. 🤐😏

@Goldsteinphoto 8 ай бұрын

Therexs another way to make the dowel fit. I just put one in my drill press and held sandpaper against it for the perfect diameter.

@ronaldoseinstra1657 2 жыл бұрын

Can you do this in the headstock??

@Satchmoeddie1 11 жыл бұрын

I agree. I did a true luthrie apprenticeship, not just guitars. After the German guild wars luthiers were allowed to make anything stringed. Guitars could be made by cabinet makers after the dispute was settled. Anyway I have had drill bits grab when graduating contrabass, cello, or other arched tops or necks. A real depth stop is the best bet. That damn drill bit grabs and sucks the top right up the shank. It will do it with a neck too! It sure ruins yer day! Tape will slip up the bit.

@sdittloff 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I’m ashamed to say I had never thought of this. I have a music holder on a piano I can now fix properly.

@loublacksail1614 8 жыл бұрын

Very nice video Dan! However, I have a question. Why in one video with dowel hole repairs did he use a maple dowel with wood glue for a tuner knob, then use a dowel from a hardware store with super glue for the bolt on neck piece? I am confused at when to use the right type of adhesive and what type of wood to use, I have a Washburn Patriot 6 string I have all 4 holes (where the neck screws go in) are stripped and one tuner knob hole stripped. I would like some help in figuring out what materials to use for each job and why for each adhesive and wood combination.

@carmineredd1198 2 жыл бұрын

dan is an idiot , find a real luthier not a stew mac hack

@pjcdrummer 11 жыл бұрын

try any machining store like MSC ( manhattan tool supply) they used to be a machining store or mcmaster carr they should have one

@yangmagic0703 5 жыл бұрын

Use threaded inserts?

@Satchmoeddie1 11 жыл бұрын

Industrial Pipe and Steel usually has a decent price if you want a really good one. I was shocked at how nice the Harbor Freight Cobalt drill index was made, and for under $100? I paid $279 for the one before it. There is not $180 difference.

@askgmoney 11 жыл бұрын

Where can someone buy the dowel gauge kit that Dan shows ...

@wyattsdad8561 5 жыл бұрын

I wish I could work for him

@coppertopv365 5 ай бұрын

Why not use titebond 2 or 3 wood glue?

@CaptainRon1913 11 жыл бұрын

Not that it matters a whole lot, but why wouldn't you use a maple dowel? I've got dowels from many kinds of wood, using them to fill pocket holes building furniture.

@romusromulus 3 жыл бұрын

Fill it with epoxy?

@Bobby_Digital37 27 күн бұрын

I need to do this for my p90 mounting hole that stripped out!!😊

@johntrik 6 жыл бұрын

Why superglue???? thanks!

@primoroy 3 жыл бұрын

Isn't epoxy filler stronger that the wood?

@TommyDavidsonTD2014 6 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised no one suggested using the drill press chuck like an inverted lathe and filing or sanding his dowel to size ;-P. Since he said he was hanging out with better woodworkers and machinists back in the day,one of them could have suggested a metalworking mini lathe as a shop tool too.

@metropolitone 6 жыл бұрын

Using the hole drilled in steel is more work but more accurate in diameter (without having to measure it as you go) and likely straighter as well. I did use the drill-as-a-lathe technique many years ago to made an ebony strap button for a 1937 Gibson archtop. Worked quite well.

@timwilson6296 7 жыл бұрын

Would this same idea work towards fixing stripped pickup mounting holes?

@northmanlogging2769 5 жыл бұрын

tooth picks

@bleonardyou 2 жыл бұрын

@@northmanlogging2769 I’ve used toothpicks several times before. I put them in the stripped out hole with wood glue. I then just screw the original screw in (after it dries, of course). I can’t recall any coming back out after that. This is on cabinets door hinges, etc. I’ve never tried it on a guitar, but might if I need to. It will be a choice between dowels or threaded inserts with machine screws. Doubt that I would use toothpicks on a guitar.

@yettielusive3370 6 жыл бұрын

It is the most complex dowel in the world.

@mikejamieson4252 4 жыл бұрын

I assume this is the same if the holes o the body are stripped?

@rafaeldavidmercadosolis6597 3 жыл бұрын

Body holes are clearance holes (no threads at all)

@haimlute 10 жыл бұрын

why you don't use titebond glue?

@SpeedisH94 5 жыл бұрын

I guess heat from drilling job might melt the glue down and the plug could be loosened. Or even the heat from the fraction of the screw. Screws are very hot when they are pulled out of super tight hole.

@marminoz 5 жыл бұрын

I was thinking also because you don;t want to wait for the glue to set ?

@JgHaverty 11 жыл бұрын

Because of the tight clearance. wood glue would be a poor choice. The water in the glue expands the wood, so a super tight fit + expansion = ? I'll let you figure the rest out :D

@marsattacks7071 8 жыл бұрын

Very pro !!

@DYLANTRIES 8 жыл бұрын

Very complicated and expensive you mean! Lol

@marsattacks7071 8 жыл бұрын

+Dylan Hardin Yes... He covers everything with some very expensive dowel measuring little things that cost an arm and a leg... Toolmaker pro tools ! I'm doing a part caster right now and had to plug the 4 holes in the body. I still have to plug a mexican 1970 neck, than install brass inserts, etc. I'm adapting a contour neck plate to that... The only thing where I think he might be wrong is that he is using what looks to be a pine dowel. I'm using hard wood dowels... Much better (and you don't cut these with a little knife...). Cheers !

@DYLANTRIES 8 жыл бұрын

+Eric D. Agreed, use what you have and but tools that make your work easier it they pay for there self over time

@Fraserspree 11 жыл бұрын

does anyone know where i can get the dowel gauge set in this video? i tried googling dowel gauge and other variants but no luck

@rafaeldavidmercadosolis6597 3 жыл бұрын

Search “pin gage set”

@rickss69 5 жыл бұрын

Now we have threaded inserts...easy peezy!

@seasonedtoker 11 жыл бұрын

hey dan, don't use cuetips with superglue because CA reacts with cotton and instantly cures. that's why there's smoke.

@chazz-j1994 10 жыл бұрын

More work than it's worth. Mountain our of a molehill really. I'd just fill it with whatever dowel would fit.

@3dsman 11 жыл бұрын

Will watch again... didn't see that he had tape on the bit.

@andriimotsyk3018 3 жыл бұрын

Pleasure to look at the professional

@telefunkenyou47 2 жыл бұрын

A tight fitting dowel is funner to hammer thru than a loose fitting dowel!

@codysifford5470 4 жыл бұрын

“A tight fittin dowel is fun to hammer through” 😂 Dan you savage

@luiskarantonis4531 3 жыл бұрын

I caught that too!!funny stuff...

@bobsaturday4273 8 жыл бұрын

hey McD , advanced machining techniques for a grandpiano or grandfather clock some good tips like w/ knife & chisel but they're lost in the jumble of overkill rocknroll not rocket science bust a switch off the cherry tree and slop on a little soup from ol Betsy's hooves

@JL-tf6vc 4 жыл бұрын

If you can't find metal stucco lath, use carbon fiber stucco lath!

@jonasulfsfalt4451 5 ай бұрын

Can I ask, do you never use Swedish wood glue? Sweden have a pretty big wood industry and we build lots och houses and construktions in wood. Så we have a good experience from working with wood. Its a part of our culture doing it. I ask cause SuperGlue is a bit poison and really harm us the organic living humans. Just my reflextions from watching thousends of Luthier vidds. Best warmest regards from me, Jonas in Sweden