Solved a buzzing problem on my Ratliff

[MontanaMatt]

I had been plagued by a persistent buzzing, particularly when hitting the g and d hard. I couldn't figure it out, checked and tweaked the nut and saddle, changed strings... I knew it wasn't a high fret. It had been bugging me for months and I thought it was internal and was going to cost $$ for a pro fix. Then I checked the button screws today on my Waverly tuners...eureka! Two were loose. Problem solved.
What suggestions do y'all have for threadlocking those suckers? I'm planning to switch to some custom buttons soon (fingers crossed that Scott R figures out his machining of square post holes), so I need a non permanent method.

[pops1]

Fingernail polish will do just fine.

[MontanaMatt]

Fingernail polish will do just fine.

Which color? Just kidding
Thanks

[MikeEdgerton]

I had a heck of a time getting two Waverly screws out that somebody put Lock-tite on recently. I keep a small screw driver in my case pocket of my mandolins now and just snug them up now and again.

These are cheap and I have them in all the cases.

[Scott R]

Matt--I promise I'm working on it. Have that rosewood on my desk here. Have to retool a little for the thicker Waverly shafts.

After this weekend the festival I'm helping with will be done, and I'll have more time. Why don't you fly out to Madison this weekend and join me at https://sugarmaplefest.org/

You are welcome to crash at my place

[pops1]

Why don't you fly out to Madison this weekend and join me at https://sugarmaplefest.org/

You are welcome to crash at my place

Bring mosquito repellent, I have played that festival. Great little festival, but skeets are thick in the evening.

[Phil Goodson]

Use only the tiniest bit of polish or loctite (use the weakest) on those Waverly screws. If they get stuck, it's pretty easy to twist off the screw head with a screwdriver. (a friend told me that )

[sblock]

Yes, Loctite works very well for preventing rattle from tuner button screws.

Also, if you have Waverly buttons that fit fairly loosely on the shaft, and particularly if those buttons are made from a brittle substance like mother-of-pearl, then you want to avoid over-tightening the button screw, as it may crack the button! Instead, you can fit the buttons tightly onto the tuner shaft by giving the shafts just one or two wraps of Teflon plumber's tape. This fix will be totally invisible, since the buttons will cover both the tape wraps and the shaft. But the buttons will never rattle again. And yet, if you want to remove the buttons at some point, they will slide off easily. Problem solved.

[MontanaMatt]

Great ideas, thank mando friends!

[mandotool]

I've been meaning to post these.....they fit Waverly 2-64 Screws nicely..
And the quality of manufacture is extraordinary..NFI...

[MikeEdgerton]

I always have a supply of M2 stainless washers on hand for tuners but I've never seen these. I'm going to go order some. I wonder if they make them in brass too? Cool, thanks.

Added: No brass.