niceguyhomer Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 The hole for the strap button on one of my basses is too big for the screw. It's been plugged with matchsticks in the past judging from the evidence but now they're disintegrating and I need to do something else. I can't use a bigger screw cos I use Dunlop Straplocks and the button won't take a bigger screw so is it rawlplug time or should I fill the hole and re-drill? What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STU-SBL Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Hi Al. I asked my brother (who builds basses for a living) and the best option would be to clean as much of the hole as possible and fill it. As for filling, the usual option is to fill with matchsticks and glue. This is usually the DIY route as materials are readily available. I'd/ we would recommend filling the hole with a hardwood dowel and make it fit the hole you have. If you have access to a reasonably reliable (as in 'true') pillar drill use that and a sheet of sand paper to reduce the dowel to the right size (slightly tapering if needs be to give a 'plugged' effect). This can then be glued into place using super glue or wood PVA like tite bond. Once it's gone off you can roughly trim the excess and sand flat. It's worth doing well... take you time Stu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted January 1, 2008 Author Share Posted January 1, 2008 Thanks for that Stu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Is it the Bongo by any chance Alan? I do occasionally have occasion to do the matchstick and pva thing, can't remember if the Bongo was a 'victim'. Polyeurothane is ace stuff though. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_the_bass Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 i took my precision to a tech who drilled out the hole, glued in a walnut plug and drilled a new hole. i've used the cocktail stick method though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted January 1, 2008 Author Share Posted January 1, 2008 Yep, it's the Bongo Peter, maybe it has something to do with basswood being a bit soft. Never mind, easily fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_K Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 +1 for dowel - going to be much more secure than matches or cocktail sticks, I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 I think there was a long thread on this back on the old bassworld. Cocktail sticks and PVA was the conclusion I believe. Drilling/dowelling is a lot more work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 matches and wood glue, is what I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 +1 for Sir Finn Of Bass' cocktail stick method, substituting epoxy for his choice of adhesive. The pointed ends of cocktail sticks allow several to be used for larger holes, they can be tapped down to make a tight fit & cut flush (carefully!) with a Stanley knife blade. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalmaniac Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Thats just reminded me that one of my basses ahs been secured by matchsticks for about 3 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I used a dowel and its been in there for about 3 years of playing with a straps so not bad. It was quite a light bass tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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