Setting up to make Pedal Steel Parts

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 26 Feb 2004 7:12 pm

I am setting up to make pedal steel guitar parts that are no longer available from the manufacturer. I plan to make some changer parts, kneelever kits, and pull fingers. I will make quality parts that are up to specs and at as reasonable a price as I can. I have a day job and will be making these parts on the side so I won't be needing so much out of them. My main cost will be the machinery and stock to mill the parts from. I will post when I get set up and you can let me know your needs. I have been looking for parts and the price on some of the items that is available seems high. If I dont have a pattern all I will need is a precise drawing of your needed part. That should be easy enough. I will let you know when the equipment is ready.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 26 Feb 2004 9:43 pm

Great idea Harold, I am sure you will have all the work you can handle once the word gets out.

Sierra Session 12, MSA Universal, N400, N1000

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 27 Feb 2004 7:05 am

Harold,

I am delighted someone is taking on this long needed task. Much good luck to you. And by the way, I need some Emmons' 4 hole bellcranks, that don't cost a lot. And I need them yesterday.

May Jesus bless your efforts and guide your quests,

carl

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Feb 2004 8:00 am

Carl,
You can get the 4 hole bellcranks any day of the week right from Emmons. Whenever I call Ron for bellcranks he always asks me if I want the 4 hole or the other kind.
Erv

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 27 Feb 2004 8:43 am

Hey Herold, look at this post "Why the Sudden Interest in Fender Pedal Steels?"
There are some pictures in it that show what I'm looking for...(Mr. Johnstone's mod). I'm sure other people are interested also.
Thanks

Jay

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<font size="1"><img align=right src="http://www.scaryoak.com/images/SOP_Tree1.GIF" width="200 height="240"><B>
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1963 Fender 1000, 1955 Magnatone Maestro T-8, 1947 National Grand Console D-8 ,1948 Gibson BR-9,‘60’s Melobar Acoustic

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 27 Feb 2004 9:21 am

Oh Erv,

I am aware they are available at Emmons. I have bought a bunch of their 14 hole bellcranks as well as 4 holers. I bought 45 14 hole cranks on just one ocassion from Jack Strayhorn at the factory once.

Right now I need 26, 4 hole cranks for a special project. Fortunately I already have 80+ 14 holers. Thank Jesus the late Ron Sr gave me 50 of these for doing a video job for him. When I asked Ron Jr (last fall) to trade 26 of these brand new 14 holers for a like amount of 4 holers, he refused.

He said the old 14 holers were "made wrong", "I can't use yours". I did not ask him about any warranty on the 50 his dad had given me.

Interestingly, I saw a brand new, just picked up at the factory, LeGrande II last month, and try as I may, I am UNABLE to tell a single difference between the bellcranks Ron Sr gave me and what was in that guitar.

I was taking up on the expense part of the author's post. No way can I pay 9 dollars plus shipping per bellcrank. I know how these Emmons' cranks are made, IE, they are mass produced, stamped out (including the holes), folded, one hole threaded and plated enmasse.

I am hoping the author of this thread can make a comparable bellcrank for considerably less than what they cost now from the Emmons' factory. Maybe not. Time will tell. Buying one of them is one thing, but when ya need two dozen + as I do, 9 bucks a piece just doesn't get it in my case.

I feel the same way about knee lever parts and knee lever kits. When done by a factory, one has to contend with normal overhead and high labor costs; plus legitimate profit which I fully understand.

But when done as a seconday at home scenario, hopefully their cost will be considerably less expensive. I use as a scenario' going down to the local Ford dealer to buy a starter versus going to a Napa or PEP Boys dealer. I have often seen parts for a 1/3rd of what new car dealers ask.

I am hoping this will happen with the gentleman who created this thread.

The one caveat is "quality", but then.."they were made wrong" does suggest that even here they might be just as good; if not better.

Thanks for the suggestion,

carl

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 27 Feb 2004 11:43 am

I will make quality parts if I make them at all. I realize that precision is the main attribute to a pedal steel. I will have to invest in the machinery, stock, and power consumption but my objective is to make affordable quality parts available to steel guitar owners that can't get what they want and need readily on the market at a reasonable price. I need help from you to assure the parts are exact patterns and I have already gotten responses from several people that are willing to help me get the patterns for parts. I am a simple man raised on peas and cornbread and mostly cornbread just trying to help develope the pedal steel and feeding my intrest in mechanics and helping my fellow pickers also. It is not my intentions to get rich or gouge in someone elses business. I also know that manufacturers that have to pay wages to employees, research dollars, and other overhead cost must charge a higher price for parts. My main goal is to provide parts that are no longer available and to make prototypes for various areas of your pedal steel.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 2 Mar 2004 6:51 pm

Just closed the deal on a milling machine tonight. I will get it here and set up with a week or two.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 3 Mar 2004 5:27 am

Harold,
I wish you all the luck in the world with your project.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 3 Mar 2004 8:24 am

Harold, I sent you an e-mail about software for programming you new mill.
JE:-)>

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 3 Mar 2004 9:14 am

Harold great idea. And you put your money where your mouth is.

What kind of milling machine did you get?

If you could do some Sho-Bud bellcranks that fit on without having to remove the cross shafts and rods, yet maintain good tension, you would have a winner.
Maybe with a second piece that is held with a wedge and setscrew mechanism.

Ideally for hex and round shafts too.

Putting on RKR & RKL pulls without a total re-rodding of a neck would be a great thing.

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 15 Mar 2004 9:34 pm

I finally have the milling machine on the floor! I have to get it wired and tooled up and I'll be ready to make parts.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 16 Mar 2004 11:33 am

Harold, I think that you are going to be the oasis in a desert. Let me know when you're up and running, I will definitely use your services for knee lever kits. Good luck!

DroopyPawn · Post by **DroopyPawn** » 16 Mar 2004 2:58 pm

I'll take some Sierra parts when you get set up. I ordered my Session 12 at the Dallas show last year and got it a few months later. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Sierra had gone under. Crap.

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Gary Goodman · Post by **Gary Goodman** » 22 Mar 2004 9:47 pm

I'll take some LDG Sho-Bud bell cranks for pulling the strings and also for connecting the pedals to the cross shaft. also a vertical knee lever kit.

Gary

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Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 15 Apr 2004 4:38 pm

I now have my machinery set up and ready to make parts for pedal steels. Let me know if I can make anything for you.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com