Wilkinson Big Block Strat Trem

[fender3x]

I have what I believe to be the same bridge on my last non-PBG build (the 3TSB strat) and I had no issues with the included screws.
That said, my body is Polpar...

The only things I can think of are: depth of your pilot holes, and did you try waxing the screws before turning them in?
I do this as a matter of course with Maple and Ash. I use bee's wax, but even candle wax or soap will work.

What was the difference in size of the pilot hole and the screw thread?
I don't mean to doubt your ability, you've been doing this stuff long enough. I'm just spit-balling!

Hopefully extraction of the broken screws wasn't too horrible! They can be a real PITA if break below the surface!

I appreciate the confidence in my abilities. Usually it's more likely to be a judgement problem ;-). Don't think depth is the problem. I drilled through to the trem cavity.

I think the hole size was 3/32 (SAE). I eyeballed it first, and measured the width of the threads with a drill bit size guage, and selected a bit that was just s little smaller. I did not use wax although I generally do with maple. Didn't think I needed to with ash, but live and learn. I will next time...when I put in the stainless screws.

It is possible that the hole was big enough for the threaded part, but not big enough for the shank. But it did not take much torque to break. To avoid problems I use two fingers and thumb and hand tighten only. Maybe I should only use screws threaded all the way to the head as well...

I am waiting for tool from Amazon to get the two screws out broke off below the surface. Fortunately it should not show.



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