Need help with Super Pro pedal rod thread size

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Today I decided I would take action to lower my Super Pro to a height that works for me. I took the legs from a 6139 and measured them, finding that they were an inch shorter. I set the Super Pro up with the legs and voila, perfect.

Next step, take pedal rods to shop and get them cut down 7/8", and rethreaded.

Here is where my problem started, as the reputable shop told me the threads were metric (5mm X .8) and they didn't have the correct die.

I would just like to confirm with some pros out there that this is indeed the correct thread size.

I also had the thought of just buying 8 new rods the right length if available.

Any ideas what would be best?

Thanks for the help!

Jim Pivarnik · From: Port Townsend WA, USA

Mike why don't you cut the other end of the rod and re bend?
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Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Jim,
I thought the standard way of shortening the rods was to cut and rethread. I also don't want to attempt a bend of that nature, hmm.....

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I didn't know that Super Pro rods are different from any other 'Bud rods, they should be 10-32 NF threads. You can take one of your pedal rod connectors to the hdwe. store and check a 10-32 screw for fit.

5 mm is very close in size, so it's understandable how a guesstimate could be inaccurate, but any competent machine shop should have a thread gauge for all measurement types.

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

All of the pedal connectors I know of are 10-32, so the pedal rods would have to be 10-32 as well. Smile

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Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Jerry, Jim- Thanks, I thought it would be a standard size too, in the shops defense, they have been in business 60+ years, and are usually right on. Maybe I caught them before they had their morning coffee. The one guy said he did try a 10-32 nut on the rod and said that it started to thread and than it locked up.

I'll go get a 10-32 screw and see if it meshes with my connectors......

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Metric on an old Shobud? Pffffft! Bwaaa! I really doubt it! A machine shop, in today's world, doesn't have the right metric die? Maybe they just don't want to do your tiny job? The nut started to lock up? Damaged/dirty thread?

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

John- maybe they don't wanna mess with a small job, though they didn't seem that way, I do know them from dealings thru my job.

Anyway you guys are right on the money, it is a simple 10-32 thread, I confirmed it with a new bolt and nut.

I guess I just got the wrong guy to help me this morning!!

Thanks for all the knowledge and help Very Happy

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

I wonder if Shobud rods were threaded with a die, or if they were rolled? Stainless pedal rods can be a real pita to thread, even with the die meant specially for stainless. I know! Used to work at Performance Steel Guitars. We considered sending them out, but the costs were prohibitive.

Michael Yahl · From: Troy, Texas!

Another issue that you are going to have is that the main body of those rods are Ø.166 which is less than the Ø.1875-.1900 need for a #10-32 thread.

Those rods had the thread roll formed onto them which increases the Ø.166 to the required Ø.190 by displacing the material during the rolling process.

The roll threaded portion of the rod is only about .700" long. Cutting off 1" will leave you on the smaller diameter. A die won't even touch that diameter as the minor diameter of a #10-32 is Ø.158.

Best bet is to get new rods made. If you're carefull, you may be able to cut the top hook off and rebend. Cut it at the very top of the hook, rebend and check the length. I usually measure from the inside of the hook to the very end of the rod.

Your rods most likely have a double bend in them so cut it above the second bend, at the top of the hook, to give yourself the most rod to work with or they'll end up way too short.
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Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

The Sho-Buds I've had did have rolled threads. The actual rods were 5/32" dia. They are not thick enough to cut a new 10-32 thread. The rolled threads are actually larger than the diameter of the rod. You can either get new rods, the correct length, or re-bend the hook to make them shorter. I've done that before; the easiest way is to use a propane torch to heat the exact location of the bend, get it red hot, then bend it with pliers. You could buy some straight rods and practice a little before you bend your rods. 5/32" drill rod is pretty easy to find and the same size.

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Michael Y,
Thanks for that info. Looking at them, I figured they were rolled, but wasn't positive.
Bending the ends without a jig might be a real nuisance. Might be a lot less frustrating to just buy a new set, that you know will be right from the git-go.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Yeah, big goof here on my part too. I hadn't considered that they were rolled threads. Sorry for any misdirection here.

I just remembered helping my friend do some work on his Sho-Bud and the thread size being the same as my guitars' rods.

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Thanks for all the help and advice. This morning, Frankie the guy that runs the machine shop looked at the threads and said that they weren't rolled, and than another guy decided that they were metric, which he must have done in error.

What I think must have happened is that the pedal rods were previously replaced (with larger diamter rods) to lift up the guitar an inch or so.That would explain why I was able to cut new threads.....

I am not a machinist in any way, so I figured I would get a hold of a 10-32 die and try and cut new threads BEFORE I cut the rods, so that way I would clean up the old and have a smooth starting point, which is what worked. A 10-32 die cut new threads real well, than I cut off an inch on the rods and than cleaned them up with the die.

It worked out fine, I hadn't checked this post while I was working on it, and by the time I did it was too late anyway.

No big deal, if the rods give me any unforeseen grief, I will just buy a nice new set, machined correctly by Michael Yahl. Very Happy

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Glad it all worked out Exclamation

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