The Steel Guitar Forum

I was adjusting one of the screws on my Carter last night and I snapped it right in half.

Here are a couple of pics.

Here you can see the screw head is broken off the top


Here is the other knee lever that I didn't break


Does anyone know where I could find these screws? They appear to be 1/4 inch or the metric equivalent. I suppose I could just get a machine screw and chop the screw head off the top.

Thanks.

If you can get the broken part out, you can always take the pieces in to your local hardware store or Home Depot to try to find a matching part. They usually have a nut or bolt test panel (where you can identify the thread and size), and can pick up a small bag of replacement parts. If you want bigger quantities, I usually use McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com)for replacement screws.

If you do have to cut off a section from a longer screw, put a couple of nuts on the screw past where you need to cut it off. After you're done cutting, use a file to deburr or flatten the rough end, and when you back the nuts off it'll clean up the threads where you cut it off. Just easier that way imho.

The big secret on a lot of guitars is that (while there is plenty of hardware that is proprietary) there are a lot of off-the-shelf parts such as screws, pins, etc. Stands to reason, as a builder who is building something as complicated as a pedal steel isn't going to make the process longer by fabricating every nut, bolt, and washer unless it is absolutely necessary. With a little research, you can usually find a standard part that works properly.

It looks like you are referring to the roll pin which the lever contacts when activated. That pin is just pressed into the hole, not screwed into the hole. The best way would be to remove the old pin, use a round punch or a screw that is just a bit smaller that the pin. Tap on it till the pin comes out. There are no threads in the hole. You will have to tap the hole if you want to put a screw there. A shoulder screw would be best, it's stronger. The big home stores. Lowe's, etc, have these parts. Take the whole assembly with you so you can show someone at the store what you need.

Thanks for the info Ed. I'm going to head over to the hardware store today. A couple nuts that I removed had some wax on them that kept them from loosening up. Could I use some thread tape to accomplish the same thing?

thread tape on small parts like that could be tough unless your fingers are really nimble lol; there are thread lock products out there that are temporary (I wouldn't recommend anything permanent). A good cheap alternative is to use a spot of nail polish where the nut and bolt meet; usually that's enough to stop it from backing off or rattling.