Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

[rspst14]

Hey guys, I went to install a set of Dunlop Strap locks on my Hamer today, and while the one on the top of the body went in just fine, I found that the hole on the bottom of the body is stripped. I'm wondering what's the best way to fix this? Keep in mind that I never plan on selling this guitar, so it doesn't matter to me if the strap button is glued/epoxied in there permanently. Obviously, this needs to be fixed in a very secure way, as I really don't want this guitar hitting the ground. Stewmac sells a couple things that might work, I'm hoping the luthiers on the board can recommend something. Here's what I was looking at...

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhesives/Stewart-MacDonald_Epoxies.html - epoxy

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_...ld_Instant_Adhesives/1/Instant_Adhesives.html - instant adhesive

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Fillers_and_putties/Wood_Filler_Putty.html - wood filler putty.

what would you recommend for the strongest bond? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ryan

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Toothpicks soaked in wood glue. crammed in the hole, and left to dry have never let me down. Add a slightly longer screw and you´re good for life

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Toothpicks soaked in wood glue. crammed in the hole, and left to dry have never let me down. Add a slightly longer screw and you´re good for life

Yup...this has never let me down. If you don't have any wood glue, I've used regular Elmers and it's been ok as well....and it cost's about $.12!

 

[Chi3f]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

i do exactly what the previous two said... works great

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

What I still can´t understand is why all the major companies still use these piddly 1 inch screws, even though this problem has been around for decades.

I use 2 inch screws, and I´ve never had a button loosen or heard of one loosening on one of my axes. Costs NOTHING extra, the screws cost exactly the same :smoker:

 

[3 cent hero]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

What I still can´t understand is why all the major companies still use these piddly 1 inch screws, even though this problem has been around for decades.

I use 2 inch screws, and I´ve never had a button loosen or heard of one loosening on one of my axes. Costs NOTHING extra, the screws cost exactly the same :smoker:

my screws aren't very long, but they're the same screws that are holding my walls up, so they gotta be staying in my guitar pretty well :laugh2:

 

[rammer69]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

HECK , I never even used the glue , just the toothpicks, on every thing from LPJr to PRS, never dawned on me to use glue, but have never had one come loose with just the T-picks, I GUESS AN OLD DOG JUST LEARNED A NEW TRICK

 

[Tom M]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Yeah, I've never used the glue either. As long as you pack the hole with toothpicks you should be good, but the glue will certainly help.

 

[RACER X]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Liquid nail and tooth picks, just make sure you let it cure for a while.

 

[strat_master]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

i had the same problem a few weeks back, i basically used elmers white glue and toothpicks broken in half to fit the hole length. Let them dry for a bit and then re screw the screws back into the hole it should be fine, mine hasnt come loose since!

 

[3 cent hero]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Ditto what Zerb said,and please DON'T just stick a wider screw in there :yell:

:laugh2: i did to mine

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Another thing you can do I get some 1/4 oak dowel and drill out the hole to 1/4 size then cut off the dowel to size and glue it in. You won't have to worry about stripped holes anymore since the oak is much harder than the body wood.

Rather than paying big money for crappy strap locks I use 1/4 in eye bolts. I then use a spring loaded C style clamp like mountain climbers use and feed it through the strap button hole on the strap. You can change guitars really fast and no matter how agressive you are the guitar wont come loose.

Snowdog

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

What I still can´t understand is why all the major companies still use these piddly 1 inch screws, even though this problem has been around for decades.

I use 2 inch screws, and I´ve never had a button loosen or heard of one loosening on one of my axes. Costs NOTHING extra, the screws cost exactly the same :smoker:

Just read this and thought of doing this to my guitar as a safeguard. Have got 1 inch screws in my Kramer. Should the holes be deep enough to be able to put longer screws in? Thanks

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Just read this and thought of doing this to my guitar as a safeguard. Have got 1 inch screws in my Kramer. Should the holes be deep enough to be able to put longer screws in? Thanks

I´d pre drill to make sure, but depending on who was drilling at the factory they might go right in

 

[Shnook]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Here's a slightly different question. One of the screws on my Les Paul is stripped, but I can't get the screw out of there to do the toothpick trick to save my life. I guess that's a good thing, but I'd like to remove it at some point. Any suggestions?

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Here's a slightly different question. One of the screws on my Les Paul is stripped, but I can't get the screw out of there to do the toothpick trick to save my life. I guess that's a good thing, but I'd like to remove it at some point. Any suggestions?

You mean the head of it stripped or got chewed up, use an Easy-Out ( think automotive ), that'll get it out.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Fixing stripped strap button mounting holes?

Here's a slightly different question. One of the screws on my Les Paul is stripped, but I can't get the screw out of there to do the toothpick trick to save my life. I guess that's a good thing, but I'd like to remove it at some point. Any suggestions?

Screw extractors are a tech's best friend. :dance: