If you can hang a picture on a wall, you should be able to drill and screw in a strap pin.
A few cautions/recommendations:
- Make sure your uke has an internal end block. Most do, but it doesn't hurt to check.
- Measure exactly where you want the pin mounted, then do it two more times just to make sure.
- Put a piece of painter's masking tape over the target area to protect the surface in case a tool slips.
- Use an awl or a sharp nail to make a small indent exactly where you want to drill. This will ensure that the drill bit doesn't slide around and make a mess.
- Use a drill bit just a little smaller than the screw that holds the pin.
- Drill slowly and carefully, making sure the ukulele is firmly supported and held in place. (I use a variable speed electric drill but it would work fine with a hand cranked one.)
- Drill the hole the full length of the screw.
- Remove the tape and clean up any debris or sawdust (drilldust?)
- Rub the screw against a bar of soap or a parafin candle to provide some lubrication.
- Make sure you use a felt washer (usually supplied with strap pins) to prevent marring the finish.
- Screw in slowly, by hand, until the pin is tight and can no longer be easily rotated.
- Attach your strap to the pin and you're good to go!
If you do insist on fitting a strap button to your uke, this is great advice. The only thing I'd add to it is this:
- Line your strap button screw up against your drill bit, so the point of the drill bit is touching the screw head.
- Take some masking tape and wrap it round the bit at the point reached by the tip of the screw.
- Then when you come to drill into your uke, you'll know exactly how deep to drill.
But before you do all that, I encourage you to watch this video (in fact, watch the whole series!
) and then have a think about whether you need to go ahead drilling into your uke.
The issue of strap buttons on ukes can get very controversial very quickly, but I'm neutral on the issue. If you can get on without fitting a strap, fine, If you can't, fit one. Half my ukes have strap buttons, half do not.
I played in a very successful ukulele band for many years, touring up and down the country, and abroad (my signature contains the link to our album). The ukes I used on stage all have strap buttons, because I'd be playing standing up, plugged into an amp, and the strap would 1) prevent the weight of the guitar lead from pulling the uke out of my arms; 2) be used to secure the guitar lead to stop it from being accidentally pulled out from the uke.
Of those ukes, the solid-bodied and semi-acoustics have two strap buttons; otherwise, just one strap button on the lower bout and a tie round the headstock at the other end. Very handy for slinging the uke round behind your back, Bruce Springsteen style!
I don't have strap buttons on any of my sopranos, or any of my acoustic concerts. I follow Phil's tips for how I hold them.