| Author |
Topic: Knee lever building...anyone? |
Kurt Graber
From:
Wichita, KS, USA
|
Posted 7 Mar 2007 9:46 am |
|
| Just curious how many have built their own knee levers and installed them. I own a mini-mill and lathe and have decided to take this project on. I have 2 Mullen guitars and want to install C6th knees on both (lkl lkr). I have been quoted the price for these 4 kits at $740 and I have to install them. I also have access to powder coating so I'm going to attempt to make them (hopefully a FULL weekend project). Who else has built these? |
|
|
|
Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
|
Posted 7 Mar 2007 11:37 am Machining Knees
|
|
I have machines a lot of Emmons Puch Pull knees and Marlen Knees -- same stock is used. The same stock also works for marlen pull-release bellcrank bodies.
Knee levers are easy to machine, and you can add little touches like angle adjustment screws. I don't know about the aluminum stock needed for Mullen lnees, but I am sure that it is off the shelf at a metals supply house or McMaster Carr. For knee lever cross shaft brackets, don't use that soft angle you find at a chain hardware store.
The machinework is very easy, and time consuming. |
|
|
|
Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
|
Posted 7 Mar 2007 5:40 pm
|
|
I have a bunch of parts someone made, and need to try to finish them for my 1000 - crosshafts are very rough and I don't know how to smooth them or turn them and scrape them smooth...I'm not a machinist and have limited tools. Anyone have any ideas how to use a drill press to smooth out the rounded ends of some square crosshafts? That, a Dremel and hand drill are about it.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
|
|
|
Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
|
Posted 8 Mar 2007 8:51 am
|
|
I made 5 levers for my old MSA with nothing but a drill press, a hack-saw, and some files. On my verticals, I had a friend bend the 5/16" aluminum levers on a press brake, and then weld a little stop on them, but it's really not a big deal...just takes a little time! 
Charging almost $200 apeice for knee lever kits does seem a bit high though, unless you're hiring a machinist to custom make them!  |
|
|
|
Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
|
Posted 8 Mar 2007 9:55 am
|
|
| I had MSA knees made for a very good price by Rich Cottle. His email address is coolcat@ardennet.com. He has a business dealing with screen doors and other aluminum stuff. Contact him and see if he is still doing this. Great work for a great price. You have to send him a pic or the actual part to copy. Hope he is still doing this. |
|
|
|
John Maggard
From:
Cincinnati Ohio, USA
|
Posted 8 Mar 2007 7:53 pm
|
|
I just finished four "new" levers from scratch (actually, from rough blanks seen frequently on ebay) using the same tool set Donny mentioned above...I'm no machinist but they function smoothly and look better than I had thought they would. I also balked at the kit price, but did order crossbars and 14-hole bellcranks from Emmons, along with the s-shaped short reversing bars and a bunch of the TINY e-clips...a good thing since my workspace has gray/black carpet - drop one and fugedaboutit if a magnet doesn't grab it on the first couple of passes. Everything else was fabricated from aluminum C and L stock, 5/16 stainless rod and tube steel inserts at rotating friction points. Even that small amount of Emmons chrome looks mighty good down there.
J  |
|
|
|
