The Steel Guitar Forum

Well it looks like I have started making my fourth steel. As last time, it will be another SD10 with 4 and 5 as the standard set-up.
Things are going a bit smoother now that I have this nice big mill - and even smoother and faster once I learn to operate the thing. A couple of examples below.
If interested you can also follow along on the builders forum- click link in my signature.

I am very jealous!! I would love to have a mill at my disposal! It's a great feeling making your own stuff! I would love to see pics of your steel.

John, click on the photobucket link below to see pics of my previous projects

Very nice!!! I hope to get one going in the not too distant future!

Some nice machinery you've got there, Bent! And it certainly looks like you already know how to operate it...

Wow Bent
You sure did get the hang of it in such a short time.
How long does it take to mill a bell crank and a pedal?

Arne, thanks. I make the bell cranks in a rig that I made especially for this purpose so I don't have to change cutters and reset measurements etc for every cut. I am slow still so I would say it takes me 2 days to make enough bell cranks for one neck.
The pedals are a different story - so far anyway...one at a time and I would say it took me two days to make 4 pedals.

Thanks Per, I am learning slowly but surely. By the way, your finely designed BenRom logo is now done at a specialty sign shop and will of course be proudly displayed on my steels.

Bent, your steels look great. I wish I had that kind of talent.

i think you're cool too, bent. i wish i had the shop to do it in. i've always had good ideas but that's usually where it stops.

it's easy to criticize peoples work as in music production, songwriting, steel building , guitar building, etc. but no matter what, you're ahead of me if you actually do it! keep it up.

Chuck, Chris, Thanks for the nice remarks. If you have something you really love doing, learning and doing it comes easier.
Like my Dad used to say: "Interest is the driving force".

Bent!!! Awesome dawg. Looks like u have a good grip on the mill already homey, way cool. I assume (hope) you are gonna post pics on photobucket as you go yes?......Stormy

Bent,You do some incredible work,I don't have those kinda talents I just break things.Can't wait to see the finished guitar!

Stu, you guys are just too nice. But you won't believe how much I am flying by the seat of my pants here. I am considering some, what I think, are improvements and to that end I discovered just now that I might have wasted a foot long piece of 1/4" X 2" brass and 4 hours worth of work. I won't elaborate, but those things are aggravating. At the same time it is a real lesson in how NOT to do things. I will win in the end and get that guitar made better and prettier than the previous ones.

Stormy, This work gives me unheard-of satisfaction and really puts a smile on my face.
Yes, I will put pics on photobucket once I get more things done. I already have a page running on Facebook for those who are into that.
Storm, I am getting a grip on the mill, but slowly. My biggest roadblock is to take my time and try to do it right the first time. Makes for a lot of wasted parts and hours. As an example, I have two scrap pedals and 3 scrap keyheads laying around here, good for nothing other than melting down and learning some casting in the process.
How is your work coming along by the way? I hope you are getting over your injury and are healing well.

I'm doin good Bent ,thx. Finally got my keyhead from Dale (as u already know) ,so I can finalize the dimensions and get goin again I'll keep ya posted

BR!
Looks great! New style bell cranks?
JB

Thanks, John! No actually I think these cranks are the most common - new for me yes...

Yeah Bent! That's what I meant! New for you. What kinda clips ya gonna use on the pull rods?

Either the round slip-over thingy or make a spring that slides over the rod, then fastens to the part that goes through the bellcrank.

James Morehead found some carb linkage thingies that might work well, if they can be found in the right size.

Ok, great! I'll look around and see if they are still around. Carb parts are getting scarcer after fuel injection.

IF,,, you can find the right size for your pull rods!

Working on changer fingers.
I devised this jig during the last project and adapted it to work with the mill. Works great!

Well, that was quick. Looks like I sold this steel to a picker in Norway. We have firmed up the deal and I will be taking the guitar with me when I go to Norway in August.

It will have 4 p and 5 KL, which will most likely be the standard equipment on the BenRom, Natural Maple body with aluminum frame re-enforcement. Also brass changer fingers and brass rollers.
And yes, folks, gauged rollers

Parts are looking great Bent!