Do-it-Yourself RIC-Compatible Straplocks

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:14 pm

Back in March in a previous thread (now archived) under Rickenbacker Basses (../19262/16092.html"http://www.geocities.com/glclauson/DIYRICstraplocks/RICStraplocksDIY.htm" target=_top>http://www.geocities.com/glclauson/DIYRICstraplocks/RICStraplocksDIY.htm

I plan on adding the instructions to the pictures as soon as possible. Here is a picture of the final product:

Maybe when I get the whole thing done, it can become an official Forum Article, if Peter agrees.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:40 am

Nice work Dr. Who. A project such as this should be filed carefully. Thanks for giving us the drill.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:54 am

Peter, you and your comedy bits! I think I saw that coming. At least you didn't tell me to chuck the idea!

Time to bolt on outta here ... before I screw things up ... because I'm such a nut ... and I have clothes in the washer ...

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:13 am

Great thread Dr. Who.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:35 pm

Oh, screw both of you!

haw haw haw!

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:18 am

Not to ask a stupid question, but what is the thread on the screws? Mine (from a '62) seem to be 10-24, but they won't fit any thread gauge I have. Perhaps the chrome plating makes them a little oversize. And as might be expected, a 10-24 screw run into the holes is a little wobbly. I know I can tighten the fit by various means, but that won't satisfy my curiosity.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Sun Jun 13, 2004 11:33 pm

Adam, I believe the thread is 10-24 on the current issue bolts, mainly because I took a RIC strapbolt with me to Ace and tried nuts of all the various threads (including metric), and the 10-24 nut gave a perfect fit as far as I could tell.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 3:34 am

Gary: Do you have any concern that this DIY strapbolt will stay together?

mike_d · Post by **mike_d** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:06 am

Very cool! I actually purchased the Ric strap locks directly from Rickenbacker and they drop right in the existing holes. they worked fine on all my Rics except the 325c58. For some reason, the bottom hole on the c58 is wider than the one on the upper bout and the strap lock bolt wouldn't hold.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 7:18 am

Mike, I think that you could use one of the Loctite products made to help keep bolts in place. I saw these at Ace: one is for "permanent" use (where one doesn't expect to ever remove the bolt/screww), and the other one is for "temporary" use, when bolts/screws may need removal later. The latter would be the one to use on your stubborn strapbolt. Of course, read the instructions first before using (I;m guessing that a little goes a long way).

Peter, I have a pair of my DIYs on my 660/12TP JG and so far have had no problem with them staying in place. I have to tighten my regular RIC strapbolts occasionally, and my DIYs don't seem to be worse at loosening.

I'm still working on the text to go with the pictures, and need to take and add a couple more pictures. I'm hoping to have the DIY page done this week.