leg removal

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 17 Apr 2016 2:54 am

I packed up my MSA legend yesterday to go to Spain only to find one of the legs would not come undone, no matter how hard I tried it wouldn't move, the legs were only hand tightened so I have no idea why they were so tight.in the end I removed the rubber foot so not to mark it and had to use a pair of grips to get it undone as it happens no marks were made,,,question. is there any thing I can do to avoid thus in the future, I don't wasn't to put any oil or grease. on it as this would mark the leg bag.thanks

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 17 Apr 2016 2:56 am

I would suggest a light coating of Vaseline on the threads. There is also a substance electricians use for aluminum to aluminum joints called Noalox, but it's a little messy.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 17 Apr 2016 3:04 am

thanks Scott,

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 17 Apr 2016 3:39 am

The stuff that auto parts stores sell to prevent spark plugs seizing in the heads might also be good. Just a small amount on the threads.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 17 Apr 2016 3:48 am

thanks Lane for that..

John Booth · Post by **John Booth** » 17 Apr 2016 4:24 am

This is a great mystery to me also.
Happens randomly just once a year or so.
It's embarrassing to have to ask one of the
youngins' in the band to unscrew a leg for me

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 17 Apr 2016 5:36 am

Lubrication, guys. Mechanical things need some oil or grease once in awhile.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 17 Apr 2016 7:42 am

There are some very knowledgeable engineers on here who can give more detail, but I think binding is worse if dissimilar metals are involved - typically a steel leg insert screwed into an aluminium endplate.

Bill Moore · Post by **Bill Moore** » 17 Apr 2016 8:34 am

I put a tiny dab from a Chapstick, which is like vaseline, but thicker. You won't need to use very much.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 17 Apr 2016 9:17 am

All the above responses are great. In addition, I keep one of these thin pads (see below) in my steel seat to get better grip on the leg while turning it. It seems kinda goofy, but it really helps. Just wrap it around the leg under your hand and twist. The friction gives you considerably more grip strength.

http://www.amazon.com/Jar-Grippers-Grip ... B004HM1E3Y

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 17 Apr 2016 10:07 pm

Drylube - a waxy, stick lubricant in a waxed-paper wrapper. Just don't leave it out in the sun! $:\$

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 17 Apr 2016 11:30 pm

some great ideas there, let you all know how I get on..thanks again

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 18 Apr 2016 5:14 am

Best product I've found, always in my toolbox.

Craig

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 18 Apr 2016 6:29 am

You might also try cleaning the threads, especially in aluminum, with a toothbrush - no floss needed

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 18 Apr 2016 6:46 am

Anti-seize is messy. It'll get all over your leg bag, case, hands or whatever it touches. It stays soft. Even if you only use a little bit on the internal threads of the guitar, it'll still transfer to the legs' threads, wood and fabric when touched.

I wouldn't want that stuff on my guitar.

Tony's gripper suggestion is a good one. That, or similar little tools called twisters that come with multiple sizes. Tool helpers made for seniors with arthritis or other grip issues.

Something like these you can just drop down in your leg compartment for quick access and you won't have to worry about them gooping up your gear.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 18 Apr 2016 6:55 am

Frank Carter makes Delrin washers for the legs on his Infinity guitars and they are made with the internal diameter small enough so they don't fall off the threads of the plugs and don't require over-tightening to keep the legs secure.

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 18 Apr 2016 8:02 am

Are your leg clutches frozen as well? I cannot imagine how you could apply bise grips at the very end of the leg and apply enough force to free the leg being frozen in the endplate but not make the inside part of the leg spin at the clutch?

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 18 Apr 2016 9:46 am

I had one of the legs on my Williams get very tight. I got a 1/2-13 bottoming tap and cleaned up the threads and it's never given me a minutes trouble since.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 18 Apr 2016 9:49 am

the guitar is 2009 but not been used much,,I've had it setup for the last six months , everything is as new ,maybe it's a temperature issue,,,the washer looks a good idea..

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 18 Apr 2016 3:00 pm

How about something as simple as paraffin wax on the threads?? Take a plumber's candle and rub a little on the threads. Aluminum can build up oxidants, get pitted over time and "dried out", for lack of better terms. Dick Wood's idea of chasing the threads will clean up any crud that's on the female threads, and you can clean the male threads with a brass bristle parts brush.

Bob Cox · Post by **Bob Cox** » 18 Apr 2016 6:23 pm

Try some bee's wax it will do the trick. Not messy either. Perhaps you should get a die 1/2 by 13 and chase the threads in the body. They may have a small dent or something causing them to gald up.

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 18 Apr 2016 7:37 pm

I agree with Dick check the threads and make sure they are cut clean, Not a chip or burr that will lock the threads, And deep enough for the threaded end of the leg not to bottom out.
One of the best lubricants for aluminum is Paraffin Wax (Candle Wax) or better yet Bee's Wax. Does not make a mess on everything it touches too.
One of those Jar Lid removers with a little end for bottles, Or one of those flat rubber jar lid removers just wrapped around the leg give a better grip on chromed legs without damage to the chrome. Happy Steelin BJ

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 19 Apr 2016 9:23 am

Jerry Overstreet wrote:Anti-seize is messy. It'll get all over your leg bag, case, hands or whatever it touches. It stays soft. Even if you only use a little bit on the internal threads of the guitar, it'll still transfer to the legs' threads, wood and fabric when touched.

I wouldn't want that stuff on my guitar.

Tony's gripper suggestion is a good one. That, or similar little tools called twisters that come with multiple sizes. Tool helpers made for seniors with arthritis or other grip issues.

Something like these you can just drop down in your leg compartment for quick access and you won't have to worry about them gooping up your gear.

Anti-seize is very messy, gets all over everything..Try silicone spray,stick...BF

Chris Lucker · Post by **Chris Lucker** » 19 Apr 2016 9:59 am

One simple thing you can do is make sure you insert the same legs in the same sockets every time.

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leg removal

leg removal

Leg removal