Tuner button

[sboneill]

I have a Collings MT2 and the inner D string tuner button just spins when I try and tune it up to pitch. This started when I was changing strings this evening. I am not certain if these are glued on to the gear post or not but I can not get the inner D string to tune. There are no screws on the top of the button to tighten.

Do I need a replacement set of tuners to fix this problem?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Scott

PS. I am the 2nd owner of this wonderful mandolin and I do not think the warranty is transferable. You think Collings would replace?

[Paul Hostetter]

If they lack screws, they're not the Gotohs Collings currently uses. I thought they'd always used Gotohs but I can't remember right now if that's strictly true. Perhaps they're replacements.

I suspect in any event that they're either Schallers or a close relative, which means the buttons are supposed to be glued on. If one came unglued, then it's time to glue it back on. I usually do this with slow epoxy, Make sure the button is slid on just the right amount and is held exactly there until the glue kicks. If an air bubble gets compressed in the hole and expands, you may find one button out farther than the others. Until you get this resolved, you're stuck with a seven string mandolin.

[bradeinhorn]

or you could pull it off and tune with a pliers or other like device

[sboneill]

Paul, the MT2 is #141. By the way the button just popped off in my hand. I can see the threads on the post as well as glue over top of them. What type of glue would you suggest.

-S

[sboneill]

bradeinhorn, I considered this but did not want to muck up the post. I pulled the string off and am going with 7 until I fix it.

[Paul Hostetter]

Do they look like this?



And they have threads??

[Mando Medic]

A couple drops of super glue, medium viscosity will take care of it. Let it set for about an hour before you tune up. Kenc

[Paul Hostetter]

The problem I have seen with DIY CA fixes is that people don't get the button on in the right place before the glue kicks. I dis-recommend it for that reason. If you get it on there wrong on your first try, you have no choice but to destroy the button, scrounge another, clean up your mess, and start all over. Slow epoxy gives plenty of time to make sure it's right. You can sleep on it once you're sure it's right, and play a tune over your morning coffee. Much safer.

[Mando Medic]

Paul, that could be true with some people not getting the button on far enough or straight enough before the CA sets up. True, Epoxy gives you a lot more time to get it right but the reason I use and suggested Medium viscosity is that the set up time is longer than thin. In fact, I would say to use the gap filling type as it takes even longer than medium to set as long as you don't use the accelerator. Though either epoxy or CA works. Kenc

[Paul Hostetter]

As a professional who has been at this for 45 years and knows what I can get away with, I think it's irresponsible to advise novices to attempt a risky repair. They both work, but CA is risky, epoxy is not.

[Gail Hester]

As an addition to the good advice already given, there is usually knurling on the button post that needs to have the residual glue (or button material if they were originally heated on) cleaned out before you glue a new button on. I use a dental pick. I have been using the medium acting (20-30 minute) epoxy to glue on replacement buttons with good results and then I let them cure for a day at least before using them.

[sboneill]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Paul, they look exactly like my tuners. I have already cleaned off the threads Gail so where would I get this slow acting epoxy. I have a few hardware stores as well as all of the home improvement stores.

thx -Scott

[bradeinhorn]

those are schaller i think.

[Paul Hostetter]

Those are indeed Schallers. Gail covered the shaft cleanup. Absolutely clean and dry. Use any clear slow-cure epoxy you can get. Just not a 5-Minute variety. The Devcon 12-hour is a pretty common one, and it's good. Mix it way more thoroughly than you think you need to. The epoxy kicks in an hour, but leave it overnight, or 24 hours as Gail recommends if you can, before you lean on it.

Oh yeah: do all your glue cleanup ASAP.

[sboneill]

Thx Paul and Gail. I will run to the hardware store and take care of this tonight. I'll let ya know how it goes.

Best Regards,

-S

[sboneill]

All is well now. Made a trip to Home Depot and purchased some epoxy. Mixed her up and attached the button. I have not put any tention on it yet as I wasnt it to fully cure.
I looked at this AM and it looks good.

Thx again for the assistace.

We are so lucky to have this cafe comunnity.

Cheers to Scott and everyone else.

-S