Strap Lock Screw!!

[treillw]

My strap lock screw keeps backing itself out at the worst times. I have Shallers that are installed with the original PRS screws. I've seen a bunch of different suggestions on fixes, but want to make sure that what I'm going to do isn't going to mess my beautiful PRS up. Is it safe to fill the hole up with toothpicks and put some glue on the screw and drive it home? Would I be better off putting in some hardwood pieces like oak instead of the toothpicks?

Also, what do you guys put between the metal of the strap lock and the wood of the guitar? I haven't been able to find any nice pieces of felt for this purpose.

Thank you.

 

[Toledo Bob]

Can't yet speak for PRS but this is my experience with Gibsons. I have always used a fat toothpick in the screw hole. No glue. Just screw it in and not over tight. Never had a problem this way. When I get my PRS ZMSE I will add Schallers first off. Good strap locks. They have never let me down. Best wishes.

 

[rugerpc]

You might try a very slim toothpick first - no glue.

You are walking the line between an oversized hole and one that is too small. If you overdo it with the toothpick and make it too tight, you risk cracking the wood when you seat the screw!

Start very small and work your way up...

 

[Curt Musgrove]

Do not use glue. I have used flat toothpicks in the past for various guitars with no issues.

 

[alantig]

Stew Mac has felt washers. I'm gradually going back and putting them on mine.

 

[CoreyT]

The brand new Schaller Strap Locks are shipping with felt pads.
I bought a new set off of Amazon for my Zack Myers, and much to my surprise I did not have to reuse the SE felt pads since Schaller now ships felt pads.
I think I am going to pull my Schallers off of my 408 and put a set of pads on it.

 

[JMintzer]

Also, what do you guys put between the metal of the strap lock and the wood of the guitar? I haven't been able to find any nice pieces of felt for this purpose.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardwar..._Felt_Washers.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=1115

 

[CoreyT]

Jamie, good link for adding to people's tool kits.

 

[László]

Here's one of my pet peeves about guitars in general:

Most guitars get worked on from time to time, yet wood screws are used for the most part, and at some point some of the wood holes for the screws get loose for one reason or another. It's not like steel or brass threaded inserts aren't widely available - they are!

I'm not talking about cheap T-nuts here. A threaded insert is invisible from the outside, and allows the use of machine screws instead of wood screws, and it seems they'd be great to use for various things on a guitar, like strap buttons, backplates, pickup rings, TRCs, etc. They last forever unless the user is a real dolt, and can even be re-threaded with a threading tool if someone manages to strip one.

For something like a strap button, Loctite could be used to keep everything together with a machine screw.

 

[alantig]

Most guitars get worked on from time to time, yet wood screws are used for the most part, and at some point some of the wood holes for the screws get loose for one reason or another.

If you have your screwing technique down, you won't ruin the hole.



Control your torque!

Not your TOUQUE, your TORQUE!!!

 

[Woollymonster]

Use Lock-It Straps and never drop a guitar, mod a guitar, or screw up a screw hole again.

I like the leather models.

 

[László]

If you have your screwing technique down, you won't ruin the hole.



Control your torque!

Not your TOUQUE, your TORQUE!!!

If I were you I'd take this picture down before the authorities come after you for child hat porn!

Poor kid is young enough to be my great-granddaughter.