Any experience installing stud inserts?

[djrjems]

Hey gang. I'm considering embarking on a project guitar. 6 or 7 years ago I refinished/rebuilt an RG770. Through that experience I learned to leave the finish work to the pros, but am pretty comfortable with complete assembly as a result.

I've got my eye on some aftermarket Ibanez guitar bodies. One thing I'm a bit nervous about is installing the stud inserts into the body for the trem stud posts. According to the edge manual these are just tapped in with a hammer.

Does anyone have experience installing these? Are they supposed to be installed before the body is clearcoated, or after?

Any experiences you could share would be greatly appreciated!

[Jaden]

I install them using an M8 hex bolt screwed all the way into the body of the inserts, then tap them in with a hammer, make sure that the rest of the body is suitably protected - ie; put the body on a towel or someting.

I usually would do it before painting/clearing and then screw a SHCS into the inserts to protect the threads from paint.

[djrjems]

Yep, that seemed like the logical order of operations to me. So bodies that already have the clearcoat on 'em, but no inserts installed are probably going to be tough to deal with (without screwing up the clearcoat), right?

[TMatt142]

It's not that you definitely WILL mess up the clear, it's just ideal to do it before hand just in case. If your clear is on just take your time, protect the clear coat as well as you can. Good luck!

[Racerx2k]

I do it from time to time and always use my benchtop press. Never had one problem, pushes them in, nice and even, and I have good control over the situation.

[albee1952]

+1 for pressing them in. I chuck a piece of dowel into my drill press and push them in. I've done this on bodies with and without paint and found no difference.

[djrjems]

Great tip guys. Thanks!

[Ayrton]

I press them in before paint, just like the factory.