The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm sure that there are a few more guys like me that started out with one pedal steel , and the next thing ya know, we are building room's, and collecting every brand that starts with the letters A-Z !!....I find that I am doing a lot of work on my own steels as I am not really happy with shipping costs or the way my shipped packages are handled....I also find that there are an ongoing number or standard parts that I use on a regular basis ...So here are some questions for ya ....

1) Where can I buy a dye set that will fit the smaller rods that we use with our pedal steels ?

2) Where would one go for the bare rods to put threads on ?

3) Is there a place to buy in quanity the nylon or brass ends for the rods ?

There's got to be a place to buy these things in bulk for us guys who have to maintain so many steel's ... I realize that some of the parts are made specifically for THAT particular steel, but there are also a lot of standard parts that should be available in quanity ....Thanks to all ....Jim

Q:1 McMaster Carr (330) 995-5500 or MSC (800) 645-7270 - request catalogs too.

Q:2 Same except 7/64 can be hard to find

Q:3 Same but also check out George L's<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 13 January 2005 at 06:56 AM.]</p></FONT>

I found the small dies to cut threads at, of all places, the local NAPA store. Some they had in stocka and the rest they ordered in.

I wound up buying my 7/64" rod from Ron Lashley @ Emmons. It was the only place I could find. I just order the rods in 36" lenghts with no threads or etc.

I get all my nylon tuning ends from George L. He has more sizes available than what's listed if you give him a call. The gal on the phone is a sweetheart.

Erv

Look in the yellow pages under "Tools" or "Machine Tools" for taps and dies.

A welding supply will have various dia. of stainless steel welding rods that can be used for pull and pedal rods. I make all my own rods and do all the die work. Takes very little time.

Sierra sells closded end brass spacers that they use for rod end nuts.

I do all my OWN work (strictly my guitars only) and have reworkded the under side of my Sierra, MSA and am about to re-do the setup on my Fulawka. Take you time and make a log as to where parts come from if you have not performed a specific proceedure before.

An electronics supply (NOT RADIO SHACK) has all sorts of nylon spacer, flat washers etc. that can be used in steel guitar repair.

James,
Another good souce, similar to McMaster-Carr,is Travers Tool, https://www.travers.com/index.asp, in Queens. Good luck.

James i buy my rods at welding supply co. they have alum. stainless or plain.in 3ft. lengths.and also different alloys.you can find tap and die set all over at tool supply houses.i get the one that are split and adj.that way you can make the loose or tight as you want.also need cutting, lube,alum.cut just a little will make the dies work so much better.the rods come in all sizes. good luck. many of the threads on showbuds ect are 6/32, 8/32 ect. good luck farris

I've found a decent metal source to be onlinemetals.com although I don't see any 7/64 round stock.Places that cater to robotics seem to be small parts resources.

Farris

I see that you buy rods in a 3feet length huh?
Man am I glad that I am living overhere when it comes to those parts.
I buy um in meters.
16 meter lengths.Thats 52 feet...haha.
I'd like to buy big.Just plain stainless works for me.

One question comes to mind though....Never figured out what kinda thread you guys use..
Is it witworth or metric?

Anyway.....Just got of the old MSN with Farris and he told me that your prices over there are going thru the roof when it comes to parts.
Just would like to know what you guys are meaning with high.

Ron

Nikaro SD10 4x6
E.S.G.F.

I bought a bunch of copperclad steel welding rod at a welders supply. The steel is better than stainless in my opinion. It is much easier to thread but has a springy temper similar to stainless. Stainless is hard on taps and dies and has a tendency to seize to a nut.
I use the rod for all types of projects. I'll bet old Farris has even used it to make a rotissarie to cook possums. I never made a rotissssss... because I can't even spell it.......JD

John, you bet ya,that rod is so much easyier to thread ect.stainless is tough to machine ect.and hard on dies too. and little alum.rods are easy to break off in your dies.i personal like the steel alloys,as John says. Ron,he said something,but i don't remember what it was!!haha.Well,yep,price of steel has almost doubled in a yr.but we don't really need a lots for pedal steels.good wood is expensive too.good luck guys. farris

OH YEA,RON i forgot to tell ya,save all the wire cloths hangers!!since you are building steels,you can get them cheap,and thread the ends.makes good linkage for your steels.
hahahaha farris

Good advice on the Forum as usual.

I , too, have gotten Dies from the local Auto Parts store. Rods , all kinds from the local Welding supply place. If you get the heavier aluminum alloy rods, they wont be apt to break in the die.. ... ....al


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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

A word of advise on threading dies, Do not>>>never >>ever buy them at your local "jot em down store", stay with a mill supply, or the likes of McMaster Carr. The 4-40 Die is the finicky one that you need to be carefull of, and don't forget the cutting fluid that's designed for stainless, and one for aluminum.

Bill