View Full Version : Loose end pin
Hi folks,
This may be an old problem for some where this has been asked before, but it is a new problem for me; a loose end pin.
I have a vintage F where the end pin is loose enough where it will not stay in place when tension is put on it when using a strap; not good when playing standing-up.
Does anyone have any suggestions to make the end pin more secure? Is it a no-no to use a dab of wood glue to hold it in place?
I really don't know what is considered the best solution where I won't mess-up this fine instrument as well.
Thanks.
Dennis Schubert
Jul-20-2004, 9:07am
There was a recent thread on this -- you can search for it -- I can't remember all of the suggestions, but here were some...
buy a larger end pin -- wrap old pin with small strip of plumber's tape, masking tape, etc. -- use tiny drop of weak glue -- use violin bow resin -- do away with the pin and thread a wooden bead on a leather thong inside the mando --
But my favorite was: Put a dab of spit on it!
Chris Baird
Jul-20-2004, 9:44am
Soak a q-tip in super glue and quickly swab the inside of the hole all around. Let it dry completely then test fit the end pin. If it isn't tight add another layer of glue. Don't glue the pin in.
Thanks for the ideas folks. I like the tape and super glue ideas. Does anyone know what the recent thread that ironweed was talking about is called? I did a seach and could not find it.
Bill Snyder
Jul-20-2004, 7:25pm
Here is the previous thread. Loose end pins. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=16008;hl=loose)
Thanks all for your help. As always, the folks on this board come through.
jjboone101
Jul-22-2004, 5:10am
I had the same problem. A small piece of blue painters tape around the end of the pin did the trick.
mandoman4807
Jul-22-2004, 10:29am
Also, A loose end pin can be a sign of a dry mandolin. In the winter, when my heat in the house is running quite a bit, I will have evidence of a loose end pin. As soon as I get some moisture to the instrument the problem goes away.
Darrell
peterbc
Jul-22-2004, 10:39am
I had the same problem, a friend of mine ripped of a tiny bit from a dollar bill and put that in with the end pin (probably other paper works as well but it's all we had on us at the time...). It really didn't take much just a small little square, and it's nice and tight now.
Here is a FRETS (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Structural/ShimEndPin/shimendpin.html) article on repairing loose end pins FYI, similar to what Mandoplyr suggusted above.