Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

  1. #1
    Registered User CeeCee_C's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Oakdale, CT
    Posts
    572

    Default yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    The plastic endpin of my new Northfield refuses to stay in place. It's a rather slippery plastic. The usual solutions - blue masking tape, newspaper, teflon tape - nothing keeps it put.

    The hole is 8mm (.315") in diameter. A 5/16" (.313") well nut is an almost perfect fit.

    So I could get a fender threaded strap button or simply make one on my lathe.

    See the attached pics.

    My concern is whether I could over tighten the machine screw holding the button and expanding the well nut enough to crack the block.

    I'm not afraid of having the screw loosen. A little dab of green loctite or some bow rosin ought to prevent that from happening.

    Any thoughts?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	5-16 well nut.GIF 
Views:	242 
Size:	26.7 KB 
ID:	109800   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	fender standard strap buttons.gif 
Views:	237 
Size:	11.3 KB 
ID:	109801  
    CeeCee, Self-appointed Supreme Arbiter of All that is Good, Just, and True
    1 Spousal Unit, 4 cats
    1919 Gibson A1, Girouard custom F5, Collings MF, Northfield F5-S, Eastman 815, Eastman 514, Eastman 315, JBovier ELS-VC electric mando

    The difference between theory and practice is smaller in theory than it is in practice. anon

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Conneaut Lake, PA
    Posts
    4,147

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    This is exactly what Weber does for their endpins and it works very well for them. The only difference is their "endpon" is an thumb tightening screw with a knurled top rather than 2 separate components. The theory is sound has been tested on many Webers. I think as far as tightening is concerned just go by feel and tighten until just snug.
    Don

    2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
    2011 Weber Bitterroot A
    1974 Martin Style A

  3. #3

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    I don't think you need to worry about cracking the block, should be quite safe if you apply moderate torque to the machine screw.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Grass Valley California
    Posts
    3,727

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    Is that not a tapered end pin? A drop or two of CA (super glue) on the taper, and roll it around a bit to even the coverage, until dry, THEN install the pin. If it is still loose put another application of the CA and a dusting of baking soda. Repeat as necessary. This will grow the diameter of the pin slightly so it will again wedge into the tapered hole, and it won't become gummy or messy from heat like masking tape can.

  5. #5
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Manchester - Lancashire - NW England
    Posts
    14,187

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    One thing i've used to 'fix' the endpin on my Lebeda,is a tiny drop of Nail Varnish. Apply the varnish to a small area of the endpin,push it back in & let it dry for a few minutes & it should be fine. Nail varnish is tacky enough to form a bond,but it's brittle enough to break the bond if you give the endpin a sharp twist - it's definitely not a 'superglue' type bond,
    Ivan
    Weber F-5 'Fern'.
    Lebeda F-5 "Special".
    Stelling Bellflower BANJO
    Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.
    Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.

  6. The following members say thank you to Ivan Kelsall for this post:


  7. #6

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    Hi CeeCee_c ---
    When my mandolin was NEW (less than 2 hours playing time) the end pin came out while playing and I nearly dropped it.
    The end pin wouldn't stay tight due to a slight misalignment of the hole in the metal tailpiece and the pin hole in the end block.

    I cut 2 discs approx. 1" in diameter; one from a pc. of ebony approx. 3/16" thick, the other from leather. drilled 2 holes in each so they looked like buttons. Threaded a short round shoe lace thru the holes and mounted them inside the instrument, leather against the end block. Cut another piece of ebony approx. 3/8" long, about the dia. of a wooden lead pencil, then drilled 2 hole thru the side for the shoestring, threaded one end of the string thru both holes and tied the ends together with a bowline.

    Has been in use for nearly 20 years, shows no wear and eliminates the fear of the pin coming out and dropping the mandolin.

    It works so well I have done the same thing to several other instruments. Also, easily reversible and can re-use the end pin if occasion should arise.

    Takes less time to do it than to write about it.

    Regards,
    Lee

  8. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Fairfax Co., Virginia
    Posts
    3,013

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    The Weber endpins work nicely. I have some left, I think, if you want one.

    My approach has been to fit a nice wooden pin. I don't like the plastic very much. Does take the tools.
    Stephen Perry

  9. #8
    Registered User CeeCee_C's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Oakdale, CT
    Posts
    572

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    I took the easy way out by getting an ebony endpin from my local instrument repair guy.

    I had to sand it the taper down a little to fit, then I sprinkled a dusting of rosin onto the mating surface after dampening it with water (so that the rosin would stay where i wanted it). Once the water evaporated, I twisted the endpin into place and gave it a single mallet tap.

    I don't think it's going anywhere now.
    CeeCee, Self-appointed Supreme Arbiter of All that is Good, Just, and True
    1 Spousal Unit, 4 cats
    1919 Gibson A1, Girouard custom F5, Collings MF, Northfield F5-S, Eastman 815, Eastman 514, Eastman 315, JBovier ELS-VC electric mando

    The difference between theory and practice is smaller in theory than it is in practice. anon

  10. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to CeeCee_C For This Useful Post:


  11. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,863

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    That is indeed the Weber endpin concept and a good one at that. I like the Hans Brentrup answer to a questionable end pin.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	weberstrapbutton..jpg 
Views:	305 
Size:	27.8 KB 
ID:	109848Click image for larger version. 

Name:	hans_strap.jpg 
Views:	228 
Size:	15.4 KB 
ID:	109849
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  12. #10
    Registered User Kerry Krishna's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Prince George BC Canada
    Posts
    490

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    Mike, the Webber thing there is actually a pretty old idea. Stromberg/Voisinet was doing this exact same thing (almost exact same construction too) back on many of their 1920s acoustics. It is a pretty cool addition to these ladder braced axes.

    Do you want some pics?
    "Listen here Skippy. This here mandolin is older than your Grandpa, and costs more than a new Porsche, so no. No, I can't play any Whane Newton on it..."

  13. #11
    Registered User David Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Woodberry Forest, va.
    Posts
    152

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    Ceecee thanks for this thread. I've had the same issue with my Northfield f5s. The solutions offered are great. Maybe Adrian at Northfield should be made aware of the problem.
    "A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to leave alone."

  14. The following members say thank you to David Smith for this post:


  15. #12
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,863

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kerry Krishna View Post
    ...Do you want some pics?
    Always. Everything old is new again.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  16. #13
    Registered User Kerry Krishna's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Prince George BC Canada
    Posts
    490

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    Mike. Trust me on this: I am not now, nor have I ever been 'new'....
    "Listen here Skippy. This here mandolin is older than your Grandpa, and costs more than a new Porsche, so no. No, I can't play any Whane Newton on it..."

  17. #14
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    8,347
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kerry Krishna View Post
    Mike. Trust me on this: I am not now, nor have I ever been 'new'....
    I had an end pin (plastic) that kept dropping out of a mandocello.

    My solution was to increase the diameter of the pin by painting on a few layers of binding mud.

    For those interested binding mud is regular plastic binding that has been dissolved in acetone. You can make it to the consistency of aliphatic wood glue and then paint a few layers (dry between applications) on the offending end pin until it is a diameter that will stay put.
    Bernie
    ____
    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

  18. #15
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    CA glue, binding mud -- I've built up the diameter of a plastic end-pin with a thin, even layer of Duco cement. Let it dry outside the instrument, then pressed it into place.

    It's worked well on the Martin 00-42 guitar where I applied it.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  19. The following members say thank you to allenhopkins for this post:


  20. #16
    Registered User T.D.Nydn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Upstate N.Y.
    Posts
    1,331

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    Brentrup came up with the safety loop? Kind of brilliant...

  21. #17
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,863

    Default Re: yet another possible loose endpin solution?

    First time I ever saw it was when Hans posted it. I can't say he was the first but he was the first one I ever saw. It was a classy answer in my book.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  22. The following members say thank you to MikeEdgerton for this post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •