Removable cross shafts

[Tim Toberer]

I have noticed most newer steel guitars have removable cross shafts. Looking for a simple way to accomplish this. 1:17 in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMC_h8i-9iw .This would be a nice upgrade especially for doing repair work down the road. On my guitars I have to pull the whole rack out.

Also curious what people are using for shaft bearings? If I had to guess on the Sierra, they look like Delrin sleeve bearings.

[Ross Shafer]

Those are some trick plastic bushings from Igus. Super long wearing, never need lubrication. Probably similar to acetal resin (delrin). Contact me directly if you'd like the part number.

[John Hyland]

I’ve have a plastic rail with vertical slots and the bearing drops in and is held in place by another printed part just above it ( psg unpside down). my bearing is nylon and again printed.

[Tim Toberer]

Those are some trick plastic bushings from Igus. Super long wearing, never need lubrication. Probably similar to acetal resin (delrin). Contact me directly if you'd like the part number.

They (Igus) have got a nice selection! Thanks for the tip.

I’ve have a plastic rail with vertical slots and the bearing drops in and is held in place by another printed part just above it ( psg unpside down). my bearing is nylon and again printed.

I would love to see some examples. This is way out of my wheelhouse, but 3d printing really opens up a whole new world for design. And I have no doubt some of the modern printing materials are up to the task.

[Bobby D. Jones]

The spring plunger in end, With slot and pin, To compress pin and spring is a good system.
Like Emmons, But, With slot and pin for easy removal.

GFI has square cross shaft, With bearing fit machined on 1 end, And other end has threaded hole in cross bar with a screw in section with bearing fit and a lock nut. With plastic bearings.

The MSA Classic has Cross shaft holes in back apron with a cover plate that screws to apron. Allows cross shaft removal. With plastic/nylon bearings.

Some steel maker, Has grove cut in back apron, With chrome strip, Remove chrome trim strip to access holes for cross shafts.

When I built a steel guitar, I put aluminum 1/4"X Apron height strips, From end plate to end plate. I Attached brass flange bearings to aluminum plates with screws. Remove screws, Both bearings, Cross shaft and bell cranks, Remove as a unit.

[Tim Toberer]

The spring plunger in end, With slot and pin, To compress pin and spring is a good system.
Like Emmons, But, With slot and pin for easy removal.

GFI has square cross shaft, With bearing fit machined on 1 end, And other end has threaded hole in cross bar with a screw in section with bearing fit and a lock nut. With plastic bearings.

The MSA Classic has Cross shaft holes in back apron with a cover plate that screws to apron. Allows cross shaft removal. With plastic/nylon bearings.

Some steel maker, Has grove cut in back apron, With chrome strip, Remove chrome trim strip to access holes for cross shafts.

When I built a steel guitar, I put aluminum 1/4"X Apron height strips, From end plate to end plate. I Attached brass flange bearings to aluminum plates with screws. Remove screws, Both bearings, Cross shaft and bell cranks, Remove as a unit.

Thank you for the descriptions. Without photos I am kind of guessing at what these look like, but the descriptions are still helpful. I will try to hunt down some photos.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Here on forum go to, "For Sale Steel Guitar" section.
Some guitars for sale, Have good pictures of under carriage, And the way cross shafts are installed. There is a good picture of GFI threaded insert and lock nut, A MSA with plain view of back apron with removable plate for cross shaft install and removable. There is other good pictures too.
Hard to post pictures on the forum, With my computer ability.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Looking through my pictures gallery, Here are pictures of GFI square CS with Brass section and lock nut.

Picture of MSA plate on back apron to remove cross shafts.

[Tim Toberer]

Bobby, it took some searching, but I did find a few pictures from your from your earlier post. My next steel will have removable shafts. I like the idea of threaded inserts because I wouldn't have to change my design much.

Thanks again!

[Douglas Schuch]

My Zum '84 had a pretty simple method - holes were drilled in the back apron of the cab. A metal plate too the other end. you removed the metal trim strip that covered the holes, slid the shaft in (the square shaft would JUST fit through the hole) then put the plastic bushing in place through the same hole. Steve Fishell is still playing his Zum he bought back then and still swears by it, I think - so the system can go the distance, it seems.