The Steel Guitar Forum

Thanks Georg,

Then i'll stick with aluminum rod for cross shafts it's cheaper and easy to make and does the same thing as suare or hex shaft, like in other post...the only advantage for square shafts is that it's easyer and faster to add or remove bellcranks, but has Bobby said...you don't change your setup very often or never so it's not a big deal, for a first time builder i would suggest round shafts if you don't have a mill or the right tools for turning square shaft and making bellcranks .

Pat, I still say that it pays for you to have a turner turn the squares round. Overall you are going to be most pleased with square.

Your right Bent,

But right now i don't have a bandsaw or a mill for cutting square bellcranks ...i have lots of other tools except that, i have 2 new router coming in, right now i do almost all my cutting with a mitre saw and it makes a nice clean cut...you have to take your time when cutting but it works fine, these two steel i'm making right now are just something for me to get the feel and gain experience cause it has a few old different parts that i bought once i get the hang of it i'll make a prototype and make all the parts and probably do it with square shafts, i've had some maple logs cut to planks this week and it's all strap down waiting for them to dry and be ready to make some nice steels next year

Pat, A tip from my experience with wood.
Make sure you paint the ends of the boards so they don't dry out too fast. Strapping down is no guarantee.

When you have them painted, pile them with sticks in between. If you air dry, store in a place where you have lots of ventilation and protected from the elements. With luck, your boards won't warp too bad and you might get the moisture down to 7-10%.

Good luck my friend!

I was reading a post soem one made about slipping bell cranks . I would try useing a drop of loc tite on the shaft

How about square tubing with 3/8 outside a couple of 1/4 inch bolts cut off and tack weld , set screw or pin them on both ends. I have seen 1/4 nylon used and they can be bought at the local Ace hardwares here. Should be easy enough with out major tools. I use 5/16 key stock and turn the ends in a lathe.

That tool shown for cutting a round onto a square shaft is what I would call a broach drill to be used with a Roto Broach machine . This is basically a drill for cutting holes as opposed to drilling them . Works like a thick hole saw .