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Hello everybody, I recently nabbed a Gibson A2 mandolin from an estate sale. Plays well and I love it!
I have an A style strap but the strap button is very wonky. Probably gonna have to install a new one but the old button won't budge. Does anyone know how these old strap buttons function? Are they threaded? Hopefully someone didn't glue it in at some point....
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They are a tapered friction fit, like violin endpins or Martin guitar endpins.
If you've got a pair of pliers with a round cut-out in the jaws, you can wrap a piece of cloth around the endpin and twist a little, then pull it out.
If not, or if you break it, a violin repair person will know how to get it out of there and install a new one.
Thank you. That's kinda what I was thinking. So maybe try to gently pull it out with a little twist here and there?Quote:
Originally Posted by rcc56
I'll try it out. Thank you!Quote:
Originally Posted by rcc56
I picked up an old A-1 with a partially broken off strap pin. The part that remained broke off when removal was attempted. I believe it was pretty dried out, I had to drill and ream out the balance of the old end pin.
Hope that doesn't happen with my A2!
I use a strain relief pliers for removing the strain relief on the electric cord of amplifiers. It is perfect for stuck end pins.
Buy a proper endpin removal tool so you don't destroy a century old original part. ;)
James, as you well know, that is a endpin shaping and installation tool requiring a tapered shaper, as well as being a removal tool. Unless the OP wants to spend a lot of money for a one time procedure I think the advise by rcc56 is apt. When in doubt, take it to a professional.
Taking another look at it, if the endpin is as wonky as the OP claims, the end pin hole might be distorted to the point that the hole would have to be reamed, bushed and redrilled. Definitely a job for a professional. I hope that is not the case.
Not sure what happened there?
I have that tool and have had it for years, the strain relief pliers works better every time. It's cheaper too.Quote:
Originally Posted by j. condino
Here's a pic of an endpin removal tool I had made a while back. These are easy to make from scraps. I have had good success removing stubborn end pins with it.
Tapered end pin origins are Violin..
so tools and oversize pins thru the violin building & repair offerings....
:popcorn:
If it won't budge how is it wonky ?
Dave H
Huzzah to any and all who apply some ingenuity, available scraps and a little spare time instead of running off to Screw-Mac.com! Nearly every one of the "genius" jigs, fixtures, and specialty tools they market can be easily fabricated or purchased in a hardware/woodworking store for far less than the S-M catalog price.Quote:
Originally Posted by jim simpson
I frequently mash down on a recalcitrant end pin with a Klemsia-type clamp (I made 'em!) as a handle for applying a twisting motion to extract. If glued or otherwise stuck the padded jaws of the clamp may not have enough gription, and I have used pliers with a leather caul. One day whilst browsing in my local hardware store, I noticed one of these:
https://www.hardwareandtools.com/bra...ujkb-6889.html
This was a few years back and I think it was 9 bucks. I have yet to encounter a stuck endpin that can resist the gription of this tool, and I will not be the least bit surprised if I find ScrewMac markets this very item as their "Exclusive Genius Specialized Endpin Remover", into which hours of expensive laboratory research and development results in a price of 49.95. I wonder how many villas in the south of France Mssrs. Stewart and MacDonald are enjoying...?
The pin should pull out, but it's possible someone glued it in. If so, it may break unless you can steam it. Otherwise, the above suggestions are correct.
Dry heat would be preferred choice (clothes iron touching the pin slowly heating it up, rest of sides masked behind cardboard/Al foil). Steam can do more damage and most glues soften or at least become more brittle with heat.Quote:
Originally Posted by kitniyatran