Best way to fill in holes on neck then re-drill?

[ParameterMan]

Re: Best way to fill in holes on neck then re-drill?

I've used the flat toothpicks and wood glue. I'm pretty sure I picked it up on StewMac somewhere. Anyway, I dip 'em in the glue and slide them in, tapping when things get tight. When the glue dries I clip and sand them flush. I did an import Cort bass that had the pilot holes drilled too big, and it's solid as a rock now. I would say with the splinter method there's enough glue running every which way that end grain is not an issue.

 

[devilfish]

Re: Best way to fill in holes on neck then re-drill?

Hi,

I may have to use the toothpick method, should i need to, however i could only fit 4 toothpicks in this hole, there seemed too much gap in between them just to leave with glue in them...i will try the dowel and see if i can get a good fit.

Thanks

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: Best way to fill in holes on neck then re-drill?

Are you using the round toothpicks? They don't work nearly as well.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Best way to fill in holes on neck then re-drill?

There was just an 2-part article on this in Vintage Guitar magazine. Dowels won't work; as pzaxtl said, you'll be screwing into end grain and they will strip out. You need to glue in wood plugs, which are cut so the grain runs across the circular end, rather than up and down. The guy who wrote the article used plugs that were about 3/8" or 1/2" that he cut from a maple board using a plug cutter. He then drilled (nearly) flat-bottomed holes using a special drill bit - either a forstner or a brad point, I don't remember which.

Sadly, do do this properly, you need a plug cutter, the special drill bit, and a drill press. I'll see if I still have the article around if you want to read the whole thing.

i've been wanting to buy one of those plug cutter sets for a while now!!! that is the type of tools i love... thank god i already have a drill press...

i've never had an issue with using dowel rods in the past but i can see the point the grain is the wrong way for sure