[quote name='fonzoooroo' post='1210653' date='Apr 25 2011, 09:35 AM']If you enlarge the hole to tae a larger diameter spike, you reduce the number of threads for the retaining screw to engage in. The screw threads are usually more of a weak pont than the spike - so I'd tend to leave well alone.... I'd tend to replace the spike with solid stainless steel bar.[/quote]
This is an interesting answer, as I've never known of an endpin screw going at all. I suspect this is only the case with an all-wooden ferrule on the block. If your spike-hole has a metal collar then this shouldn't be an issue, as the screw binds into this rather than the wood. I've had a couple of basses with a simple bar as a spike and found that this is what causes the spike to slip into the instrument - a proper endpin should have reamed 'notches' in it to stop it slipping - if it has, then the screw shouldn't have to be done up tight anyway. My current bass had a 7mm diameter spike when I got it, and now has a 10mm Manson superspike. The screw hasn't slipped once. I suspect fonzoooroo was rather unlucky to have this happen. Incidentally, a properly nothced spike not only reduces the amount of work that the screw threads have to do, but also tends to eliminate any possibility of endpin-rattle.