Very quiet on here at the moment so,

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

I have recently acquired this dirty great lump of machinery called a Clarke Metalworker, it consist of a lathe with a mill/drill attached and it looks very nice in my kitchen but, as I know bugger all about engineering probably wasted on me..... anyway, I have given up on building a Battleship and decided to try and make some Emmons type knee levers and the first attempt clanked out of it today, I am sure they would work fine on other guitars if anyone is interested?, I am not looking to sell them for profit but some help towards material would be good, the aluminium comes in great big lengths and is quite expensive but retirement is about playing with your toys and I can't just play steel all day.... The parts I turn out will definitely not be the equal of what you get from Bob Adams or Ron McL. as I am novice/beginner with this bit of kit but I am determined they will work , pics to follow when I finish playing......

It just went through my mind that I remembered Baz's old Emmons on stage at the Galtymore about 30 years ago and under was a pair of Mole grips to act as a knee lever LOL not seen that before or since.....

[Haddock]

By a peculiar coincidence, I have also taken on the parts making mission. The back of my car is currently occupied by a milling machine! MSA were a bit slow in getting back with the price of some parts so I thought, WTF and took the plunge. I’m wanting to make some bespoke bits to try and address my dreaded G# compensator issue. I was fairly sure my tool kit would have a tuning wrench , some Allen keys and a pair of snips but a vertical mill might require a bigger bag!
Cheers
Calum

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Calum, I would suggest you remove that thing immediately from your car! it will undoubtedly flatten your battery

[Haddock]

Easier said than done. I was quite surprised it went in the car! Might be there some time.....

[Mcneilwaeasteel]

This post brings to mind the thought " fools rush in where angels fear to tread " great to have machinery to make things buuuuuuttt
You will have to buy tools and parts to make parts and make parts to hold parts whilst making parts
But the extasy and joy of holding up a bit of ally as a finished part is soured when you realise you have spent four hours machining it and your up to your neck in cuttings with silver bits scattered everywhere trying to avoid the brush you are cleaning up with.
Been there done it and got a load of machinery to prove it
One of a can of worms BE WARNED, no time for guitar playing
Is this the right place to advertise a lathe, milling machine, drill press and boxes of useful bits and pieces

[RonMc]

Nice to see you've got started John, there will be no holding you back now, I would probably be better to start sell my machinery now. Joking aside, well done m8.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Ron, if I want anything making properly I am coming to see you!!!, after playing with this toy for a day or so ......I have even more respect for you guys that know what you are doing..

[simon_f3]

Very exciting, John! I'm sure after a week or so you'll be able to machine your name in joined-up writing on each lever

Can I put in an order for a couple of Sho-Bud levers please? I would very much like to set up my C6 neck in the same way you did on Ken's old Pro 3, with the extra 2 levers on the left knee. Plus I need to play around with a few rods on the E9...
I'll happily make the tea and can provide (dodgy) advice on turning and milling operations

[Danny Mitchell]

I have to doff my cap to you boffin\engineer types, who can calmly countenance shoving your tools up into the undercarriage
In first year at secondary school I fashioned an aluminum fish lifter that never saw the underside of a fried fish, but that my dear old Grannie treasured like a family jewel. Actually, if it was still around these days it would probably win the Turner Prize for modern art. Since that debacle, and along with the 'toy ship', from woodwork class, that got immediately decommissioned (put in the bin), I have assiduously avoided any such machinations and come to rely on the 'polystyrene and gaffa tape solution' to life

Changing strings breaks me into a cold sweat

Gentlemen, I salute your work

[Stan Steel]

Just thought you may like to see what happened, before I knew of the existence of you folk!
I got a good hacksaw, a selection of files, loads of drill bits, cheap tap and die set, plenty of wet and dry, a pillar drill from Lidelle a second hand wizards hat and low grade O level woodwork and metalwork.
I brought the pedals and pickup from MSA in 197?, The machine heads came from our local music shop. The rest I built myself.

If only I had known where to get some help with the mechanics, I would not have torn so much of my hair out!

I was talking to my Daughters the other night, about the Big Share Out when I pop off, saying they could have a Steel each.
I told them that I now know folk that could help me put a better undercarriage on. Their reaction was brilliant..........
Don’t you dare!!! You built this from scratch without knowing quite what you were doing. This will pass down the family for the rest of time. Bless their little cotton socks.

Best of luck with all machinery, just remember that sometimes it can become slightly possessed, and seem to have a mind of its own

Please laugh with me and not at me, on picture one,
Regards,
Stan...