Hardwood dowels

John_A

I've used some hardwood (supposedly maple) dowels that I bought from ebay to plug a Strat neck where the screws weren't biting any more.  The wood is loads softer than the original neck material and now they need doing again.  Can anyone recommend a supplier of dowels that are up to the job?

WezV

you need plugs, not dowels.  grain orientation is important.

John_A

WezV said:

you need plugs, not dowels.  grain orientation is important.

Anywhere to buy them pre-cut

WezV

best way is to buy a plug cutter and make your own.   Most plugs you can buy are tapered as they are for an aesthetic fix, not a structural one.. they won't work for this.

Normally i would offer to shove a few in the post, but i am not going to get chance for a week or two.  

John_A

Cheers, I'll go get a plug cutter and try and find some suitable wood to cut a few plugs.  I'm not in any hurry and would happily bung you a few £ though

pintspiller

Would stuffing it with matches do? I did that with my strap buttons that kept popping out of my plywood LP copies

WezV

pintspiller said:

Would stuffing it with matches do? I did that with my strap buttons that kept popping out of my plywood LP copies

As a first fix, yes.  Fixing a fix needs more effort

Henrytwang

I’ve plugged lots of bolt on necks with no problems. I have an old model makers lathe and turn down my own plugs, I drill out the old screw holes so they have straight sides and glue in the custom made plugs with Titebond.