Building pedal steel

Russell Adkins · Post by **Russell Adkins** » 28 Mar 2019 8:18 pm

How many pedal steel builder are on this forum ? I know of a few Im familiar with such as Simmons and Hudson. Im talking about the guy who makes his own parts from scratch not buying parts from another source.

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 29 Mar 2019 9:45 am

Russel Iâ€™ve built several pedal steels an made all the parts.
I also built one with a Emmons changer an one with a Sho Bud changer.
The new Sierra Ross Shaffer builds you can watch Ross building all the parts for his steel
Guitar creation on YouTube very cool videos!!!

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 29 Mar 2019 10:45 am

I don't classify myself as a builder because I've only built one instrument and I probably won't get round to another. But it was all from scratch and although it turned out too heavy for everyday use it sounded good and played ok.

Russell Adkins · Post by **Russell Adkins** » 29 Mar 2019 6:06 pm

Johnny ive seen your guitars on here and I must say they look great, I have several im working on myself.

Russell Adkins · Post by **Russell Adkins** » 29 Mar 2019 6:08 pm

Ian we have talked before and ive seen your guitar you built , very nice work, do you still play it ?

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 29 Mar 2019 6:57 pm

I started to build one several years ago until I added up the cost to finish it, so I took the cheaper route and bought one already built.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 30 Mar 2019 8:04 am

Rather than starting from scratch, I would maybe buy a couple of beaters, salvage the parts, have a new cabinet built and go from there.

Erv

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 30 Mar 2019 8:11 am

Erv has it Right miles ahead idea.

Stuart Constable · Post by **Stuart Constable** » 31 Mar 2019 5:04 am

Way back i fell in love with the sound of the Pedal Steel.
There was a Sho-Bud shop in London, where I would spend hours drooling over these beautiful machines, but times were hard and no way could I afford to buy one

In 1976 I decided to try and build one. I got a lovely plank of Maple, brought a book by Winnie Winston, and set about making a changer from diagrams there in.
With a lot of work I finished it and completed the body with a wood inlay for the fretboard. I had a pal whose wife was from Nashville and she got me a pickup and 3 pedals from MSA. Then came the confusion of trying to work out the mechanics.......oops!

Then the beast was put on hold while I got drunk, got married, got kids etc.

Fast foreward 40 odd years.....Daughter moved house, and out of the attic came the half built guitar! I had horrors that if I croak, all this hard work will end up being thrown away because nobody knows what it is......I went to a lot of engineering works to try and get some help, but they all wanted drawings. I didnâ€™t have a clue so I went to the hardware shop and brought lots of metal bits and pieces.

I wish I had known about Steel Guitar Forums where I could have got all the help I needed!!!!

Oh well, after a whole lot of sawing, hammering, drilling and swearing, I had a pedal which pulled a bell crank and raised 2 strings 1/2 a tone! A couple of weeks of scratching the head, cut fingers and sweating, FINISHED! And it stayed in tune... which is a good thing as the end tuners are too far in

It sounds good. I told my Daughters I now know where I can get a proper undercarriage but they told me â€œNo Way, youâ€™ve built that from scratch, without a clue what you were doing!!! Thatâ€™s now a family heirloom!â€

Thanks for reading this rather long post. (Donâ€™t tell my Daughters Iâ€™ve now got a Sho-Bud Lloyd Green as well)

Itâ€™s acceptable to have a little giggle at the last picture

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 31 Mar 2019 5:08 am

That's a cool guitar and a cool story Stuart.

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 31 Mar 2019 6:47 am

Great Job Stuart! Family heirloom for sure!!

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 31 Mar 2019 3:00 pm

Russell Adkins wrote:Ian we have talked before and ive seen your guitar you built , very nice work, do you still play it ?

Not lately, Russ. My plan is to rebuild it in a lighter form with more of a standard copedent (mine's a bit weird) and then sell it to someone who wants to try the U12 experience but can't justify splashing out on a name brand just to find out whether it suits them (which was why I built it in the first place).

Before I dismantle it I should record it for posterity.

Russell Adkins · Post by **Russell Adkins** » 1 Apr 2019 2:38 pm

Stuart .that is beautiful Ill post mine when one of them is finished

Russell Adkins · Post by **Russell Adkins** » 1 Apr 2019 2:40 pm

Id like to hear your steel Ian for sure.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 1 Apr 2019 3:41 pm

Hi Russell,
I've started one and also bought a small milling/drilling machine for some of the parts.
Met a real nice fellow named Jim Flynn at the Dallas show in March. He sells parts at very reasonable prices and nice quality.

I had some late model ShoBud changers I was planning to use, but Jim had a more modern one so I bought that and a real nice keyhead from him. The work saved alone will be well worth the cost.

I'm using some of the great ideas that Ross has incorporated in his new Sierra steels.
That why we call it "Steal Guitar" I guess, ha ha ha. Ross is some kind of genius as far as I'm concerned. Hope to have one of his in the future.

Anyway, I will send you Jim's contact in a PM because it's best not to post those on a forum. I've also re-built some in the past so this will be my first complete build.
Best wishes,
Andy

Kevin Fix · Post by **Kevin Fix** » 1 Apr 2019 6:21 pm

Ed Fulawka used what looked like Harbor Freight Drill Presses. Go on YouTube and type in Fulawka Pedal Steel Guitars and you will find videos of him in his garage making his parts. He made everything.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 1 Apr 2019 7:03 pm

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the tip... Those are some interesting videos. Just wish the guy had been more steady with the camera.
I was trying to find a hollow end mill for just that reason when I was in the US in March but had no luck. Guess I'll just have to keep looking.

Best wishes,
Andy

Karlis Abolins · Post by **Karlis Abolins** » 2 Apr 2019 6:58 am

I'll chime in on this since I also built my own pedal steel. I bought a mini lathe and a mini mill. I took a class at the local technical college to learn how to operate the tools safely. I made almost all of the parts with the exception of the legs and changer fingers and levers (I bought a used changer and made my own frame). My design was heavily influenced by the Anapeg steels in the sense that it uses a rigid aluminum frame to minimize cabinet drop but otherwise it is an all-pull.
It took me a couple of years to get it operational and I am satisfied with the sound and operation. Of course, a project like this sometimes doesn't end cleanly. I have it apart in the workshop to fit a new body. Maybe I will finish it before Summer.
In retrospect, I probably would have bought an Anapeg (had it been available) and avoided all of the tiny manufacturing details if I knew in advance of all the complexities.

Karlis

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 2 Apr 2019 7:08 am

go here for "how to" videos: (Thanks Andy....this link goes to the latest one)

https://youtu.be/mrqBCX5Jt7Y

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 2 Apr 2019 8:04 am

Hi Ross,
That link don't work. Looks incomplete.
Best wishes,
Andy

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 2 Apr 2019 11:54 am

Andy,
You need an annular cutter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annular_cutter

Rotabroach are the original makers, check their catalogue for dimensions.

The outer diameter is unimportant in this instance, you are looking for a cutter with an inner diameter of 5/16" (8 mm), or maybe 1/4" (approx 6 mm)

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 2 Apr 2019 2:59 pm

Stuart, that instrument you got finished has a much nicer finish than mine - I wish I had the skills and the patience!

The mechanics look good too - I suppose when we build from scratch we tend to make things good and solid just to be on the safe side, which means a result that may be on the heavy side, but probably sounds good.

When I finished mine I was delighted with the sound but disappointed that I'd built an S12 that was just as heavy as the D10 it was to replace!

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 2 Apr 2019 3:43 pm

richard burton wrote:Andy,
You need an annular cutter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annular_cutter

Rotabroach are the original makers, check their catalogue for dimensions.

The outer diameter is unimportant in this instance, you are looking for a cutter with an inner diameter of 5/16" (8 mm), or maybe 1/4" (approx 6 mm)

Hi Richard,
Not sure this is it? I want to use the milling machine to cut the 3/8" cross shafts to have a 1/4" round ends. It needs to also clean off all the excess unwanted material at the same time.
I'll do some searches using that name, "Annular Cutter" instead of "Hollow End Mill"
Thanks for the tip,
Andy

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 2 Apr 2019 3:51 pm

Ross Shafer wrote:go here for "how to" videos: (Thanks Andy....this link goes to the latest one)

https://youtu.be/mrqBCX5Jt7Y

Thanks Ross,
Hay I thought I was the only one who worked in his PJ's and never changed all day except if I have to go out.... Somehow I ain't got with the idea of riding my motorbike in PJ's yet, but time will tell.

By the way, your not the only genius who started out building Bicycles. You are joined by the Wright Brothers who invented powered Flight and the Duesenberg Brothers who built the best automobiles America ever saw, The Duesenberg.
They also worked on the Cord and Auburn some other great cars from the 20's & 30's too.
Now there is you innovating all the great ideas into one of the finest PSG's to be found. Your in good company.
Andy

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 2 Apr 2019 4:00 pm

I have no idea how many guys are out in the world building or restoring or just trying to work on steel guitars, both pedal and non pedal?

I'm now working on making two lap steels, a pedal steel and some other instruments.
Also trying to make pickups with that old time tone.

I'd love to see Bob have a new forum section for builders. I know there are a couple of other sites out there, but none compare to the Forum.
Just my 2Â¢ worth, and well worth what you all paid me for it too!
Your thoughts Bob?
Andy

The Steel Guitar Forum

Building pedal steel

Building pedal steel

I've started one

Thanks for the tip

Missing link?

Not sure this is it?

Thanks Ross

Builders, New Forum section? B0b?