Inserting Slugs...

[kevinT]

Does anyone have a good method or technique to insert slugs that minimizes any marring to the bobbin surface. I use a press and I also push the slugs down by pushing the slug into the bobbin with a short piece of 2X4 laying on the bench. Does anyone have a more effective way without the risk of damage/scratching to the bobbin.

[Spence]

Tape the bobbin holes over at the bottom, pour in a little alchohol, leave over night in the garden and the slugs will just crawl in on their own. Easy!



But seriously put the bobbin on a machine vice, jaws apart by at least the width of the slugs and tap them in with a plastic-faced hammer.

[Stan H]

I use a small arbor press with a piece of wood 1/4" x 1-1/2" x 3" between the press and slugs. I place all six slugs in the holes and press all six in at once.

[kevinT]

Haaaa,...leave it to Spence to come up with the appropriate graphic....slugs at the watering hole

Cool. I have to try both methods. I also have a small arbor press but doing it differently.

Stan... how do you have it set up so that once the slugs are pressed through the bobbin, there is room underneath. Do you have both ends of the bobbin resting on something higher to provide the space for the slugs to move through once the slugs tops are flush with the top of the bobbin. I would like to see the design of your base. ...any pictures?

I am assuming that you're inserting the slugs after you lead and tape the bobbin as opposed to pressing them in once the pickup is assembled?

[SkinnyWire]

I use a piece of basswood about 2"x1/2"x1/8" (no significance to that particular wood; I buy 1/8" planks of it so I have lots of scraps). Push the slugs in most of the way and then finish them all at once with a wood strip. Or you can press them one at a time with the wood. As long as you don't slide around with it, there should be no damage. Basswood is softish too, so the slugs will press in a little helping to minimize sliding.

I also wipe down the bobbin first to try and avoid pressing on a dirty bobbin which might encourage scratching.

Anyway. A lot of bobbins aren't perfect from the get-go but it absolutely ruins my day if I add scratches myself. YMMV.

[kevinT]

Anyway. A lot of bobbins aren't perfect from the get-go but it absolutely ruins my day if I add scratches myself. YMMV.

I know the feeling ....especially when the screwdriver slips off of the head of the polepiece screw and mars the bobbin.

[Stan H]

Stan... how do you have it set up so that once the slugs are pressed through the bobbin, there is room underneath. Do you have both ends of the bobbin resting on something higher to provide the space for the slugs to move through once the slugs tops are flush with the top of the bobbin. I would like to see the design of your base. ...any pictures?

[kevinT]

that is a nice little jig setup. ....very cool....Damn I need to get that damn band saw to do that sort of stuff.

thanks stan

[David Schwab]

Damn I need to get that damn band saw to do that sort of stuff.

You can use a router or a table saw as well.

His looks like it's glued up from separate pieces.

[kevinT]

You can use a router or a table saw as well.

Unfortunately, I don't have either one. I'm looking at a Delta Band Saw at Lowes that might do the trick. I would also use it for cutting plexiglass and other materials for tooling and jig applications.

[Zhangliqun]

I haven't had any problem just inserting them by hand. The go in really easy with the GJ bobbins.

[jonson]

Drill out the holes on a spare bobbin oversize. Tap the slugs in the bobbin you want and place it on top of drilled bobbin. Small flat of wood on top and just squeeze together with a quick release cramp. Small piece of material on wood face protects from scratching.

[Stan H]

His looks like it's glued up from separate pieces.

Yup. Got everything at Wal-Mart in the crafts dept.

[Dave Kerr]

squeeze together with a quick release cramp

Sam Lee Guy uncovered

[jonson]

Sorry Dave not me. Would'nt mind Sam's knowledge as he probably knows more than most in this world on pups. In the UK we call them Cramps as well as clamps but well spotted.