There is an easy way to get broken screws out
@rocknroller912 Worked a treat, Mark suggested the same. If you overlook where the finish is a bit destroyed where I had to twist the pickup mount off it’ll be hidden under the mount. The finish isn’t as horrible as it looks I. Hopefully I can make that good.
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
Good job I’m glad that it worked for you. Being able to fix mistakes as they happen gives a lot more confidence when building. I always do a dry run fitting parts before any finishing to avoid things like broken screws. Also I never use power tools for soft metal screws as they chew the heads easily.
Some people call me a tool, others are less complimentary. Tools being useful things.
I always do a dry run fitting parts before any finishing to avoid things like broken screws
@rockneoller912 same here, all the times when things go right, that’s what happened 😬
Also I never use power tools for soft metal screws as they chew the heads easily.
Didn’t use power tools, just not used to hard woods and used an incompetently small pilot, clearly not the strongest of screws either mind 🙂
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
Looks like you’ve had a life time supply of bad luck all in one build. This should mean that your next ones will go with no problems.
Some people call me a tool, others are less complimentary. Tools being useful things.
Looks like you’ve had a life time supply of bad luck all in one build
@rocknroller912 I can honestly say I every mistake has been down to trying to rush something when I should have just come back to it the day after. That said I’ve learnt a lot from the screw ups, you’re right the next build will be less problematic for sure, at the same time though fixing the mistakes and still having a nice instrument at the end of it has absolutely been worth it.
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
Didn’t use power tools, just not used to hard woods and used an incompetently small pilot, clearly not the strongest of screws either mind 🙂
@tej My rule of thumb: whatever screws you want to use for whatever purpose, use your callipers to measure the “outside thread” width. If, for arguments sake, some scratch plate screws measured 3mm width. Use a 2.5mm drill bit to drill your pilot holes. Whatever the thread width measures on any screw, use a drill bit 0.5mm smaller. 👍
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
@tej Also, like I said earlier, put a small amount of bees wax on the thread of each screw. Doing this lubricates and eases the action of putting the screw in, it helps take strain off the screw. If the screws are not good quality, they will sheer off easily under that screwing and twisting action. So, reducing those forces as much as possible by drilling the correct sized pilot holes and lubricating the screw threads, vastly reduces the risk of snapping/breaking/sheering the screws. 👍
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
Right, so I’ve fixed the screw and the electrics, turns out it was down to a bad earth connection where I had a glut of wires coming together. Decided to take everything out and rewire outside the guitar so I could make much shorter wires. Now just the truss Rod adjuster cover to go, I’ve a few options but I’m thinking making one from an off cut or rosewood would actually look best, opinions welcome!? These are the other options but I’m not madly keen on any of them!
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
Right, so I’ve fixed the screw and the electrics, turns out it was down to a bad earth connection where I had a glut of wires coming together. Decided to take everything out and rewire outside the guitar so I could make much shorter wires. Now just the truss Rod adjuster cover to go, I’ve a few options but I’m thinking making one from an off cut or rosewood would actually look best, opinions welcome!? These are the other options but I’m not madly keen on any of them!
@tej They don’t always have to be symmetrical. I made an offset one for this guitar build. It’s made from plastic but it could be wood or metal I suppose.
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
They don’t always have to be symmetrical.
@boo those were just the ones I’d picked up, for the wooden one I was contemplating a miniature version of the whole headstock, can’t decide if that’d look nice or a bit cheesy. I’m loathed to put plastic over it given all the lovely wood and chrome.
Incidentally to anyone reading this, be mindful of how much space you have to turn a hex key if you don’t have access straight in and need to use the small angled end like me, it’s pure luck that there is just enough room to turn the key and be able to relocate it!
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.
match the headstock
@mattbeels this was where I was leaning before robin’s suggestion of still wood but contrasting, I can try both i suppose. I don’t want it to be too prominent, that chrome one definitely takes up too much space!
EDIT WORKS! What mysterious powers were at work to fix that!!
…on an elaborate journey to turn trees into music.