CARTER: Help with keeping levers tight, no "dangle"

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 20 Dec 2011 7:14 am

the vertical lever has a screw to keep it tight

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 20 Dec 2011 12:25 pm

Possibly a paper or plastic shim between arm and lever?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 20 Dec 2011 3:47 pm

And I would agree, on the hanging levers, if it is an annoyance, pop the pins out and replace them with a screw and nylon locking nut. On the vertical lever I replaced the existing screw with the same, a longer screw and a nylon locking nut.

Do not attempt to add a screw into the roll pins, or whatever we call them. Just pop them out and replace them.

For me this is not an issue but I can see where it may annoy another, it has nothing to do with functionality but rather it is more personal taste.

t

Doc Hall · Post by **Doc Hall** » 21 Dec 2011 7:06 am

I recall this coming up before and someone mentioned using some pliers to squeeze the lever at the fork point and this would tighten up the lever. A crude fix.

Pit Lenz · Post by **Pit Lenz** » 21 Dec 2011 5:43 pm

Hey Brian,
Here's another solution attempt, a bit similar to Richard's idea:
My Carter's vert has a small (in wire diameter) but pretty long spring to hold it up.
One end is attatched to the cabinet's wooden top, the other end hooks into a tiny hole in the lever, 2-3 inches from the pivot point. This spring has just a slight force, just enough to keep the lever up against gravity.

If you'd apply a similar spring to your "horizontal

" levers to pull them slightly outwards from your legs, this should keep them from wobbling around. In order to fold them down for transport, just unhook the springs.
And yes, the levers ARE quite short, wish they were longer....

Pit

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 21 Dec 2011 9:31 pm

I concur about knocking the pins out and replacing them w/something I could adjust. I'd use hex head bolts the same size as the pin and put a nylock nut on there. I'd also use 2 teflon washers to keep things tight and still rotate smooth when you fold it up. I just about could have done all that in the time it took to type this post. I hate having a dangler get caught in the folds of my jeans. Like a loose fingerpick,it's just one more random variable to worry about when you're playing.

Pit Lenz · Post by **Pit Lenz** » 22 Dec 2011 2:47 am

I hate having a dangler get caught in the folds of my jeans.

Then, how about a more "fashionable" solution?

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 22 Dec 2011 8:19 am

I had another thought. How about a hairpin clip, hitch pin, c, e clip etc. to snap between the lever and the hub gap? The correct size would snap over the roll pin and tighten it by narrowing the gap.

I remember a retainer clip that was circular with an internal hairpin clip from my automotive repair days. I haven't been able to find them online though.

Charles Kurck · Post by **Charles Kurck** » 23 Dec 2011 6:06 am

What Doc Hall Said. Zane Beck also said it. I've done it. It works.

Greg Albright · Post by **Greg Albright** » 25 Dec 2011 9:09 am

I think wisdom here would be to contact Al Briscoe for advice before trying any "home remedies." The advice provided here on the forum may be great, but Al is really the go to guy for Carters, so I would ask him first. Heck of a nice guy to deal with as well.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 25 Dec 2011 9:27 am

Yeah right Pit. I could just picture most of us wearing something like that.

Quote:
I hate having a dangler get caught in the folds of my jeans.

Me too. But what does that have to with the steel guitar.