Need advice from some of you Luthiers out there.

[LeftyStrat]

I came up with the bright idea of using threaded brass inserts. Unfortunately, the brass inserts cracked when trying to screw them in.

[Cantplay]

Even though they appear to be self tapping you need to tap the wood for them if its harder than pine.

John

[LeftyStrat]

Even though they appear to be self tapping you need to tap the wood for them if its harder than pine.

John

The thread doesn't seem to be anything standard. Is there a special tap for these.

Only thing related I've found is a T Wrench to install them:

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/200104 ... serts.aspx

[Structo]

Not sure brass is strong enough for the inserts.

The ones I have seen are steel.

[Cantplay]

Ah, those are a special asymetric buttress thread, not even a standard 60° V thread.

I usually make my own inserts.

If you're in a jam lemme know and I can knock one out for ya.

John

[LeftyStrat]

Ah, those are a special asymetric buttress thread, not even a standard 60° V thread.

I usually make my own inserts.

If you're in a jam lemme know and I can knock one out for ya.

John

I think I might stew on this a bit. I have a manual mill and metal lathe. The advantage of the BladeRunner tremolo I'm putting on is it doesn't pivot on the screws like the original. It uses a spring steel plate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwRqDRIqZIo

So I'm just looking for solid mounting. The inserts I thought would be nice since it would require a bigger hole and I wouldn't run the risk of having to drill on the edge of the plugged holes.

But now I'm concerned as to how that might affect sustain.

[stelligan]

FWIW I heard from my well respected luthier friend that recommended wood dowels and any quality 2 point fulcrum or vintage 6 style screw trem to replace existing.