DIY Tuning nuts????

[tonewheelkev]

Will soon be working on a new setup....and noticed the rotten state of the tuning nuts on my guitar!

Occurs to me to try a suitably sized hard nylon hexagonal section....got to be cheaper than sending off for ready made bits??

Anyone tried this.....or any thoughts on a suitable material/source???

Ta
Kev

[bob adams]

All the plastics producers in the UK will only do ¼" across the flats, if you want smaller you have to buy a die run of it! Or get it from the states!

Gerry has them off the shelf though at the standard size which you can cut if you don't need the length,

http://www.steelguitars.co.uk/Accessories.htm#TUNERS

Near the bottom of the page Kev!

[tonewheelkev]

....Aaaaahhh!...thanks Bob!

I take it that a section that is 1/4" across the flats won't allow sufficient space between adjacent nuts to apply a hex key?
Can I assume that the actual size is 3/16" (for a 1/8" rod)...?

Kev

[bob adams]

Yip, 1/4 is too big for most changers, I have seen 1/4" on old MSAs and the likes but not often.

3/16" across the flats is the norm and the internal diameter of the hole is the only difference, most older steels and many current ones use 1/8" pull rods, some later ones (eg. Williams ) use 3/32 If you need to buy rods here the equivalent sizes are 3.2mm or 2.4mm stainless steel .

I would generally run a 4ba or 7ba tap in to the nylon for about 1/8" to give the rod a start but they are meant to cut their own thread.

NB. It is worth noting that the nylon hex is the final part of the chain, The first port of call is the stop (if fitted) at the pedal or lever with the hex sitting just touching the changer finger, set those stops so you just pass the desired note (raise or lower) and only then adjust the hex to fine tune, at that point it should really need backed off rather than tightened further. Most wear on these is caused by players using them as Hillman Minx starting handles.

have fun

[tonewheelkev]

Thanks again for that...will try Gerry tomorrow!

[Jimmy Gibson]

Maplins do 5.5 hex nuts they are circiut board spacers,i have used them many times and they work fine,and they are very cheap.


Jimmy.