Gluing The Tailpin?

**Soupy1957** · Dec-19-2017, 9:54am

Just got the mandolin home yesterday, and this morning I decided to do some practicing. One of the things that I thought was important, was to put the strap on my mandolin and get used to wearing it.

Of course the strap is new so therefore the leather is stiff and uncooperative. I expected that. I also knew that the tailpin, quite often, is just a press fit.

I struggled to get the leather slot to open up, and in the process, the tailpin popped out. Again I wasn’t surprised. My next course of action was to consider wood gluing the tailpin in place.

Does that seem logical to everyone? I should NOT do it, or I SHOULD do it? Is there another solution that would be better?

**colorado_al** · Dec-19-2017, 10:02am

Wrap the shaft of the endpin with some painters tape so it has a tighter fit

**sunburst** · Dec-19-2017, 10:11am

Don't glue it, that can cause problems for future repair people (in particular). The pin should fit so well that it stays in place very well. If it pops out easily, it needs to be re-fit or replaced with one that fits better. There are all sorts of home remedies; tape, paper shim, glue applied to the pin and dried, all sorts of stuff like that to snug up the fit, and those can work for some situations, but ideally, the pin will fit.

**fscotte** · Dec-19-2017, 10:15am

That kids glue works very well. They use it on construction paper.

**pops1** · Dec-19-2017, 10:15am

If the fit is not perfect painters tape is a good choice. Masking tape can do too. If the fit is pretty good put it in and twist it slightly. If you want it secure and really feel the need to glue it use something that won't really bond like fingernail polish. Just a dot will help hold it in place, but not keep it there or make it necessary to drill out to remove it. The pressure from a strap is 90 degrees from the pin so in normal playing position it souldn't come out, but if you are having problems maybe one of these suggestions will work. I have a few mandolins and don't have anything on the pin and don't have a problem.

**Soupy1957** · Dec-19-2017, 10:23am

I went out to the garage and I found some painters tape; I put a couple of wraps on the pin and I pressed it in. Feels pretty solid so hopefully it will work, long-term.

Thanks folks, for the prompt reply’s!

**Timbofood** · Dec-19-2017, 11:14am

The best thing about using tape (if you can’t get the pin fit properly) is, it is reversible when you can have the fit done right.
Besides, it’s really pretty cheap!