If your tuning pin isn’t holding tightly anymore, here are some options you can try.

Option 1: CA Glue

This option works well for slight to medium damage to the hole and should be your preferred option whenever possible.

I usually use Starbond Medium CA Glue.

First you need to back out the tuning pin – this is as simple as just turning the key counter-clockwise until the tuning pin comes out.

Put on gloves! CA glue will bond instantly to your skin and will not wash off with anything you have in your house. I personally use eye protection as well.

Screw the nozzle onto the CA glue bottle and cut off the tip. Then add the precision applicator tip on top of the nozzle.

Add a small amount of CA glue all the way around the inside of the tuning pin hole. You truly don’t need much. It dries quickly – you can put your tuning pin back in after about 2 minutes.

Option 2: Shove something into the hole

This option should be used in emergency situations only – “oh crap, I have a concert in 15 minutes and I have no CA glue!”

As with Option 1 – first remove the tuning pin.

Then add something thin and reasonably malleable into the hole to help the pin hold. I have used a smashed toothpick and a tissue with success in the past.

Re-insert the tuning pin.

This should only be used in emergency situations because it causes uneven wear on the tuning pin hole, causing it to wear out more quickly. It will also likely result in jerkier tuning.

Option 3: Fill and re-drill

This option should be used if a hole has excessive wear, and the CA glue is not enough.

Drill out the tuning pin hole to the diameter of a 1/4″ maple dowel. Insert the dowel with some wood glue and a mallet. Re-drill the 3/16″ hole for the tuning pin.

Option 4: Nylon dowels

If the shemstock was made out of the wrong type of wood and you’re having problems with most of the pins as a result, you should drill out all of the holes and insert nylon dowels with a 3/16″ hole drilled into them to behave as a bushing.