End pin keeps popping out of my Collings MT -- glue it?

[scgc.om]

Okay, it's only happened twice . . . but that's 2 times too many! Each time, I was playing standing up so I felt very lucky to catch my MT as it was falling . . . Yikes!!

I do NOT want this to happen again, so I'm thinking I should maybe put a bit of glue on the pin before reinserting it.

Upside: End pin will not come out again. Downside: End pin will not come out again!

Is there a better way to secure the end pin, without permanently gluing it in?

BTW: Both times that the end pin came out, I just jammed it back in with my fingers. Should I maybe have twisted it in? Or maybe I should bang it in with a couple of hammer taps?

Advice??

[Perry]

Try wrapping a layer or two of masking tape around the pin; safe and does the trick

[Denny Gies]

Agree with the tape, don't glue it.

[Folkmusician.com]

I run across this often...

It is standard to put some superglue on the end-pin, BUT let the glue dry before pushing the pin back in. The thin layer of glue will be just enough to increase the diameter and make for a good fit.

If one layer of glue does not do it, add a second. If you get too much, use a piece of sandpaper wrapped around it and twist.

If the end pin is already in tight and still popping out for some other reason ( it shouldn't if it is fit well), I might consider gluing it as a last resort. That is much better than the mando hitting the ground. If you go this route, use Hide Glue, then it can be removed later. Only use a little and close to the edge, so it can be released later if needed. Last resort. :)

[woodwizard]

Trade it in on a Gibson :)... Oh wait! Same thing happened on my Gibson:grin:
I just licked it and stuck it back in there with a twist... hasn't come out yet... but if it does I'm going to try the tape trick. Sounds like a good idea. DON'T BANG IT!

[barney 59]

I saw Peter Rowan's band last night and Jody Stecher's strap seemed to be having tantrums all night. Twice his endpin popped out. Jody didn't miss a beat through it all. I once slammed a good guitar from a loose end pin and my current mandolin has it's neck adjustment through the endpin hole with a special tool so I can't glue mine although so far it hasn't slipped out. I've thought about divising some kind of safety with a piece of rawhide that attaches somehow to the tailpiece--maybe a little ring/washer thing fastened with one of the tailpice screws. When I put router bits in my router and it's a critical set up I often smear some thead locker on the shaft before I tighten it so that it is less likely to slip. The blue stuff-- not the black stuff !--the blue will release fairly easily when I need to take it apart. You can try that on YOUR mandolin and tell me how it works!

[mandroid]

OTOH, there are slightly over-sized pins,

and the last time this came up as it does every month .it seems ..

punching a hole in your strap, looping a piece of rawhide around and under the tailpiece ,

and passing that back thru the hole you made in the strap, then tying a knot in both,

so it won't pull back through, .. that will do a fine job of not dropping the thing,

if/when the tapered pin/end block shrinks , perhaps in dryer weather conditions ..

[BradKlein]

Rather than use masking tape, which may degrade in unpredictable ways over time, I moisten a small bit of tissue paper - wrap around the end pin - replace. Works for me.

[Mattg]

I put a tiny drop of super glue on my end pin and put it in wet. I would much rather drill out an endpin then fix a broken neck or peghead scroll. So far, I've had no reason to get the endpin out.

[Tbone]

I've had good luck with one wrap of newspaper.

[Mando_Lynn]

Don't glue it? I recently bought an Eastman 505 and the end pin would hardly ever stay in. I called the store where I got it (maple street guitars in Atlanta) and they told me to put a bit of carpenter's glue on it. What's the advantage of the pin have the ability to come in and out? They didn't seem to blink an eye when they told me to glue it in.

So now it's glued in. At least my mando doesn't fall ALL THE TIME now.

I hope I haven't screwed myself.

[man dough nollij]

Didn't we just have a thread on this?

I like the suggestion from that other thread of passing a small leather strap/boot lace up into the body through the endpin hole. Work it around until you can get the end to come out an f-hole. Tie a knot in it that is significantly bigger than the endpin hole. That makes it impossible for the strap to come out! You won't have an endpin any more, but won't need one.

[Mike Bromley]

I used honey with success.

[MT_player]

Put a small dab of clear nail polish on one side where it will touch the body. It will hold the pin in place but it removes easily if needed.

MT's rule! Who's with me?

[Bob A]

Throw it (the endpin, of course) away. All it is is an annoying POS which puts your instrument at risk. If it doesn't drop it onto the floor when you least expect it, it'll split the endblock like a piece of firewood if you bump it just right.

Instead, consider inserting the end of the strap (trimmed to fit) into the now-empty hole, and tie a knot in it (through the soundhole, unless you have interesting fingers). The knot, which should be larger than the diameter of the hole, will not slip out, but can be removed by reversing the process. You strap will never pop off, and your instrument will be safer and happier.

[Philphool]

Or do all the above and add a safety strap too.

[wildpikr]

Why not try some fiddle rosin on the endpin and then twisting it back in?

[lespaul_79]

Glue it. Mine fell out when I got it the 1st couple of weeks. At a jam I let someone play it and they dropped it bad!!!!!!!!! Just glue and and save your self the head ache. Trust me, you'll never think about it again. Ask your local acoustic guitar shop if they have some glue and just do it.

And enjoy yer MT!!

[mandozilla]

Mandroid said;

punching a hole in your strap, looping a piece of rawhide around and under the tailpiece ,

and passing that back thru the hole you made in the strap, then tying a knot in both,

so it won't pull back through, .. that will do a fine job of not dropping the thing

Philpool said;

Or do all the above and add a safety strap too

Definately use a 'Monkey Strap' for peace of mind. And simple to make & maintain. :grin:

:mandosmiley:

[mandowilli]

Call Collings at 512-288-7776 and they will put you through to the shop.
They are incredibly helpful even if you are not the original owner.

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

try two wraps with teflon tape......no residue like masking tape