sdshirtman Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 This has been done before but I thought I'd share anyways. I just finished up a build that called for direct mounted pickups. I wanted these to be adjustable but more importantly I also wanted to preserve the threads in the pickup baseplate tab threads that normally get screwed up or drilled out by using regular wood screws to mount the pickups just in case I ended up pulling them out for any reason. I ended up using 2-56 Brass screw-to-expand inserts along with matching half inch 2-56 thread pan head screws from McMaster-Carr. These simply press into an eight inch pilot hole and are reinforced with a drop of CA glue. These screws are slightly smaller than the existing 3-48 threads in the pickup tabs. They do catch the existing threads just a bit but they will screw through the holes but will want to grab the pickup threads when fully inserted. To avoid any thread damage to the pickup I filed off about an eight inch of threads just underneath the screw head so it wouldn't damage the existing pickup threads once fully inserted and turned while adjusting. I did this by chucking up the screw in a drill and using a file under the head. I tried using these with two layers of foam under the pickup but the pickup could be pressed down pretty easily and felt kind of spongy. I fixed this by adding two pickup mounting springs cut in half. They are now quite firm and can be adjusted infinite times without worrying about the screw stripping out of the wood. Pretty simple but it works quite well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 Good tip John. Fine looking top too! SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted September 27, 2016 Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 Do you want me to promote this to an article, John? It's a really nice explanation and very illustrative photography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdshirtman Posted September 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 1 hour ago, Prostheta said: Do you want me to promote this to an article, John? It's a really nice explanation and very illustrative photography. Sure knock yourself out. ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted September 27, 2016 Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 I keep making promises about that webcam and whisky, John. Thing is, when you write it out like that it seems a bit weirder than it truly is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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