Changing Trem Posts

[QuantumRider]

I want to change the trem posts in my MIJ Charvel (which came with a Takeuchi trem) to the OFR trem posts. I noticed that the threads of the OFR trem posts are at a much narrower pitch than those on the trem posts that I just took out of the guitar. So it looks like I'm going to have to change out the trem post anchors as well.

I read the sticky about removing trem post anchors here:

http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52679

How do I put the new ones in? Should I just bang on them with a rubber mallet?

Thanks in advance!
QR

[Sunbane]

That's what I did - but I was later told that the wood can split easilly if you just hammer away. The problem is that the OFR bushings are wider than the Takeuchi ones. I think the general opinion on correct procedure is to drill the holes out larger and then hammer them in.

[dg]

The correct drill bit for OFR bushings is 25/64". I prefer pressing them in rather than hammering, but plenty of people do fine with a rubber mallet.

[slash]

dg is correct.... If you have a drill press you can use that to press them in.

[QuantumRider]

Thanks for all of the tips.

After removing the Takeuchi post anchors, I measured them with my calipers, and they had outer diameters of 9.5mm, whereas the OFR anchors were 10mm. I figured that I could probably get away with a 0.5mm increase in diameter, and besides, I don't own a drill.

There were no problems on the low E side, which I did first. Emboldened by this, I happily tapped the high E-side anchor in. And ended up with a hairline crack in the wood

Now what?

[QuantumRider]

Here's a pic of the crack...



Is this fixable? Or rather, what can I do to minimize the damage at this point, that is, to prevent this crack from spreading any further?

I feel bad enough already, so please don't tell me "I told you so!!!"

[rjohnstone]

Fill it with glue... it will be fine.
And ya should have drilled them first.
If it were a new unfinished body, .05mm would not have been a big deal.
Finished bodies are less forgiving.

[QuantumRider]

Fill it with glue... it will be fine.

Thanks man...

Wood glue? Or is Krazy Glue good enough?

[RobRR]

You want a wood glue which will bind the wood fibers. Youll need a water thin glue, you can probably thin it down.

[toejam]

I don't get it. Why would you need to change the posts anyway? Plenty of people haved used an OFR with the original posts with no problem.

[QuantumRider]

Toejam-

I swapped out two JT-6's and the Takeuchi with OFR's. The OFR's that replaced the JT-6's stayed in tune after dive bombs and pull ups. The one that replaced the Takeuchi, however, wouldn't return to the "zero" float position. All other conditions (string gauge, block length, and locking nut) being the same, I figured that the problem was in the posts.

[toejam]

Ah, I see now.

[dg]

I agree w/ what Rob said. You need a very thin glue to get deep into the crack. I also recommend pulling the bushing out to allow the crack to compress completely. You want the glue to act as a very thin, tight bond rather than a bridge across the crack. Once the crack is repaired, drill it properly with a good sharp bit & reinstall the bushing. If you don't drill it, you're putting the stress right back on it. You may also want to think about pulling & drilling for the other bushing while you're at it. You got lucky that it didn't crack when you installed it, but it is under stress & may be prone to cracking later under the load of the strings & springs, or down the line as temp & humidity change. JMO.

[QuantumRider]

Rob and dg-

Thanks for the advice

Will make a trip to the hardware store later on today and pick up some wood glue.

Also, when I put the anchor back in, I will squeeze it in with my C-clamp vise instead of tapping it in with the rubber mallet.

[srommes]

I've replaced these bushings quite a few times. I just get some 100-150 grit sandpaper, roll it up so that it will fit in the hole and sand it until the bushing will go about 3/4ths the way in. Then I just tap it in. Works perfectly and have never had any problems.