String ferrules too small?

ThePrettyDamned

I always thought they were a ball ache to get in, but my ferrules from axesrus (smooth lipped) just drop right in!

Did I get the wrong ones? Or can I just use a suitable glue to keep them in? Normally, you need to tap them in with a hammer...

frankus

I used a nice little clamp and clamped them in

ThePrettyDamned

frankus;152792" said:

I used a nice little clamp and clamped them in

That's what I did on a friend's bass, but these ones are not hard to push in, they just drop right in (except the lip, which will need some persuasion).

I'll have a go with the clamp and see if the lip gives enough grip power to hold it in.

thermionic

The lip shouldn't go in, it should stand proud of the body, right?

You can get flush-fitting ferrules, which is ones with no lip I assume. I don't know if the holes in the body need to be different.

I have one or two slightly loose on my Tele - the strings keep it in but if it gets worse a tiny drop of glue (superglue or maybe Titebond will fix it).

vasselmeyer

Superglue is the answer. To everything.

octatonic

Ferrules should be tight- heat them with the tip of a soldering iron.

This is how I've seen everyone do it and I've done it myself more than a few times.

It works brilliantly as the finish will melt slightly acting as a lubricant for the ferrule to slide in easily.

When it cools it will act as a slight adhesive too.

Tip: Be careful to not overheat as you can mar the finish.

Superglue is probably the wrong way to go about it IMHO. 

You could end up glueing a ferrule in crooked good luck getting that out and reset without fucking up the finish.

Regarding the OP's issue.

Do you have the right size ferrules?

Use a caliper to measure the size of the hole and the ferrule.

5/16th's is a common size.

You can plug and re-drill but it is a lot of work.

Otherwise I'd consider getting the right sized ferrule.

I'd use some sort of glue as a last resort myself but you don't need anything too strong- even Titebond would work as 99.9% of the time you will have the force of the string holding the ferrule in place.

Or, try the soldering iron tip above- the slight finish softening around the opening might be enough to hold the ferrule in place.

Did you drill out the ferrule hole yourself?

I've seen drill bits vary quite a bit- an 8mm drill bit might be anywhere from 7.6mm to 8.4mm in size in reality.

That could be enough for it to be slightly oversized and not be a tight fit.

Richardj

If you are stuck I've got loads of ferrules in different sizes as It took a while to find the right ones for my Tele build.

You would be welcome to them.

ThePrettyDamned

Hmm, I'll have another look and see if I can measure the hole size, and take a pic maybe.  

impmann

I think you may well have the wrong ferrules for that body - I have an identical one here that I've built up (bear in mind I also had both bodies side by side at one point!!). ;-)

You need these:

http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Fender-Original-Telecaster-Ferrules-p/0994918000.htm

The smooth sided ones will not fit the holes drilled in that body. They are too small - I have a set here that I bought a while back and found the same. 

Hope that helps

ThePrettyDamned

impmann said:

I think you may well have the wrong ferrules for that body - I have an identical one here that I've built up (bear in mind I also had both bodies side by side at one point!!). ;-)

You need these:

http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Fender-Original-Telecaster-Ferrules-p/0994918000.htm

The smooth sided ones will not fit the holes drilled in that body. They are too small - I have a set here that I bought a while back and found the same. 

Hope that helps

Wisdom for you mate.  I suspected as much, but thought I'd check.  Definitely don't want to superglue them!