Keeping screws on tuning buttons tight

[Bill Baldridge]

The screws on the tips of my tuning buttons are constantly coming loose. As I have seen people break the buttons by over tightening the screws, I am afraid to get too violent with the screwdriver. I am about to get out the fingernail polish. Bad idea?

[Kerry Krishna]

Bill, for good or evil, I get a toothpick, put a tiny drop of Crazyglue on it, and hit were the edge of the screw meets the housing.
I have used this trick for decades with my glasses also. The screws will never come out until you want it to come out.

[George R. Lane]

Blue locktite.

[Tobin]

I have the same problem with one of my tuner button screws. I don't notice it's loose until I start hearing it buzzing when I play. Drove me crazy for a while until I figured out what it was! I couldn't find the source of the buzz.

So I've been looking for a good solution too. I'm not sure I want to go as far as using adhesives or glues. Wouldn't just a touch of something semi-sticky or viscous do the trick without any adhesive power? Even a dab of grease on the threads, or a dab of teflon paste should be enough to keep it from vibrating loose, shouldn't it? It's not like this is a high-stress part.

[bmac]

To give screws some friction I use violin rosin. Running the screw threads against a bit of rosin will increase friction as it works its way between the threads. Some folks use bees wax to do the same thing. Either solution should eliminate the loss of screws through automatic unscrewing while still enabling the screws to serve their function. I use violin rosin on all my old mandolins with quesionable tuners. Works well on worm gears and their axles as well.

[greg_tsam]

Once I tightened my screws like I was bolting on a motor mount. Not good. Learned that it is best to get them just tight enough. I have one tuning knob that lost the screw. It's been screwless for three or fours years, never fallen off and doesn't make a noise.

[Ivan Kelsall]

You're right there Greg - 'just tight enough' is tight enough. I've solved problems like this by putting a minute dab of my wife's nail clear varnish just under the head of the screw. It's tacky enough to hold,but weak enough to break the joint when you unscrew the screw again. It's easy to clean out using nail varnish remover,
Ivan

[Ray(T)]

What effect does the nail varnish remover have on the buttons Ivan? I assume you only use it on the shafts.

[lenf12]

Anybody know of a source for these tiny screws? I have a set of Gotoh tuners with real MOP buttons and lost the screw on one of the A string tuner shafts (nearly the button too). The screw I replaced it with is a tiny wood screw (not a machine screw) so the threads are completely different and it doesn't screw into the shaft all the way but it does hold. As a result, the button rattles around a bit (annoying). Either a source or the thread dimensions will do and I'll try to source them locally. TIA

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[greg_tsam]

Anybody know of a source for these tiny screws?
Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Len, I tinker with everything so when something around the house breaks and I can't fix it or repurpose it I dismantle it and salvage any parts. Electronics have a lot of tiny screws. Remote controls, old phones, toys, appliances. You might try you local luthier or gunsmith as well.

[mandomedic]

I have used a dab of super glue on the bottom of the head of the screw for years. It stays on and will come off when I want it to. As for tightness of the screw, just lightly snug is all you need.. Don't tourqe down like manifold bolts on your 57 Chevy. As for a screw not tightening down because it's too long: Use your dremel tool with a cut off wheel and take a 1/16 off the end of the screw so it doesn't bottom on in the shaft..

[bratsche]

Bill, for good or evil, I get a toothpick, put a tiny drop of Crazyglue on it, and hit were the edge of the screw meets the housing.
I have used this trick for decades with my glasses also. The screws will never come out until you want it to come out.

Did that with an 18K screw-on stud earring more than 35 years ago, and it's still securely in place. Had been giving me fits coming loose, and I was afraid I'd lose it. Now I'd have to douse my earlobe with acetone to get it off.


bratsche

[Gail Hester]

Blue locktite.

I believe this is the luthier's standard.

You can buy replacement screws from Roger Siminoff .

[sunburst]

Anybody know of a source for these tiny screws? I have a set of Gotoh tuners...

Roger Siminoff