What's the best way to install Floyd Rosew stud inserts?

[Econ]

What's the best way to do this?

[straycat]

Tap them in with a small plastic headed hammer.

[dg]

I'm assuming the holes are already drilled, and you're just asking about installing the inserts. I like to press them in using a drill press, since it gives complete control and guarantees that all the pressure is going straight in. Another way to press them in is to use a large C-clamp, with something to pad the back of the guitar and protect it. Lots of people just tap them in with a rubber mallet. That's fine as long as you're careful to make sure they go in straight and don't lean over and distort the hole (this can really happen with softer woods like basswood). Just start them slowly & carefully and you should be fine if you do it this way.

[fett]

This may sound dumb. But make sure the holes and studs are simpatico. Otherwise, you may crack the wood. Spit on the studs. They will go in easier?

[kelly user]

i spit on other things, to make sure they go in.

[sully]

heat the bushings a little with a soldering iron (it softens the clear a little) and push them in with a drill press.

sully

[Racerx2k]

+2 for the drill press, and, yes, I spit on them, too.

[Guitardude86]

i spit on other things, to make sure they go in.

DUDE! I'm SO snatching that for my signature!

[kelly user]

DUDE! I'm SO snatching that for my signature!

glad i could be of assistance

[kelly user]

oh, oh, oh, i found an article where a guy would freeze the inserts, and coat them lightly in sewing machine oil. then pop them in and wait for the insert to heat up.

[Bengal65]

Yeah like Fett mentioned make sure they are the correct size. I will use a very fine sand paper on a cylinder to make sure I have the clearance. Even if they are drilled to the "called out size" they will be somewhat tight. You want them to be able to start them will little force. Too much force and the insert will crack the wood. Especially Ash or Mahogany.

+3 on the drill press. I use either Beeswax or a thick paste wax to lube the inserts.

[ihocky2]

Freezing will shrink the bushings down so they fit in easier and will snug up nice and tight as they warm up, but may very likely split the wood. I drill the hole and then lightly sand it a little to give a little more room. Then I use the soldering iron trick. I'll heat the bushing with the soldering iron and then us the drill press to seat them. The heat will soften the clear coat and and the wood a little so they slide in easily.

[Newc]

Not everyone has a drill press, especially those who live in apartments.

Get one of those QuickGrip C-style clamps with the rubber heads (hardware store should have them, or WalMart, etc).

[Shawn Lutz]

I use a rubber mallet to knock the inserts in

[kelly user]

Not everyone has a drill press, especially those who live in apartments.

Get one of those QuickGrip C-style clamps with the rubber heads (hardware store should have them, or WalMart, etc).

thanks, very cool of you