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Topic: Building pedal steel |
Russell Adkins
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2019 8:18 pm |
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| How many pedal steel builder are on this forum ? I know of a few Im familiar with such as Simmons and Hudson. Im talking about the guy who makes his own parts from scratch not buying parts from another source. |
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Johnie King
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 29 Mar 2019 9:45 am
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Russel I’ve built several pedal steels an made all the parts.
I also built one with a Emmons changer an one with a Sho Bud changer.
The new Sierra Ross Shaffer builds you can watch Ross building all the parts for his steel
Guitar creation on YouTube very cool videos!!! |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 29 Mar 2019 10:45 am
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I don't classify myself as a builder because I've only built one instrument and I probably won't get round to another. But it was all from scratch and although it turned out too heavy for everyday use it sounded good and played ok.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Russell Adkins
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 29 Mar 2019 6:06 pm
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| Johnny ive seen your guitars on here and I must say they look great, I have several im working on myself. |
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Russell Adkins
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 29 Mar 2019 6:08 pm
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| Ian we have talked before and ive seen your guitar you built , very nice work, do you still play it ? |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 29 Mar 2019 6:57 pm
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I started to build one several years ago until I added up the cost to finish it, so I took the cheaper route and bought one already built.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 30 Mar 2019 8:04 am
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Rather than starting from scratch, I would maybe buy a couple of beaters, salvage the parts, have a new cabinet built and go from there. 
Erv |
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Johnie King
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 30 Mar 2019 8:11 am
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| Erv has it Right miles ahead idea. |
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Stuart Constable
From:
Bridport, United Kingdom
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Posted 31 Mar 2019 5:04 am
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Way back i fell in love with the sound of the Pedal Steel.
There was a Sho-Bud shop in London, where I would spend hours drooling over these beautiful machines, but times were hard and no way could I afford to buy one 
In 1976 I decided to try and build one. I got a lovely plank of Maple, brought a book by Winnie Winston, and set about making a changer from diagrams there in.
With a lot of work I finished it and completed the body with a wood inlay for the fretboard. I had a pal whose wife was from Nashville and she got me a pickup and 3 pedals from MSA. Then came the confusion of trying to work out the mechanics.......oops!
Then the beast was put on hold while I got drunk, got married, got kids etc.
Fast foreward 40 odd years.....Daughter moved house, and out of the attic came the half built guitar! I had horrors that if I croak, all this hard work will end up being thrown away because nobody knows what it is......I went to a lot of engineering works to try and get some help, but they all wanted drawings. I didn’t have a clue so I went to the hardware shop and brought lots of metal bits and pieces.
I wish I had known about Steel Guitar Forums where I could have got all the help I needed!!!!
Oh well, after a whole lot of sawing, hammering, drilling and swearing, I had a pedal which pulled a bell crank and raised 2 strings 1/2 a tone! A couple of weeks of scratching the head, cut fingers and sweating, FINISHED! And it stayed in tune... which is a good thing as the end tuners are too far in 
It sounds good. I told my Daughters I now know where I can get a proper undercarriage but they told me “No Way, you’ve built that from scratch, without a clue what you were doing!!! That’s now a family heirloom!â€
Thanks for reading this rather long post. (Don’t tell my Daughters I’ve now got a Sho-Bud Lloyd Green as well)
It’s acceptable to have a little giggle at the last picture 
_________________
AKA Stan Steel |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 31 Mar 2019 5:08 am
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That's a cool guitar and a cool story Stuart.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro. |
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Ross Shafer
From:
Petaluma, California
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Posted 31 Mar 2019 6:47 am
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| Great Job Stuart! Family heirloom for sure!! |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 31 Mar 2019 3:00 pm
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| Russell Adkins wrote: |
| Ian we have talked before and ive seen your guitar you built , very nice work, do you still play it ? |
Not lately, Russ. My plan is to rebuild it in a lighter form with more of a standard copedent (mine's a bit weird) and then sell it to someone who wants to try the U12 experience but can't justify splashing out on a name brand just to find out whether it suits them (which was why I built it in the first place).
Before I dismantle it I should record it for posterity.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Russell Adkins
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2019 2:38 pm
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| Stuart .that is beautiful Ill post mine when one of them is finished |
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Russell Adkins
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2019 2:40 pm
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| Id like to hear your steel Ian for sure. |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 1 Apr 2019 3:41 pm I've started one
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Hi Russell,
I've started one and also bought a small milling/drilling machine for some of the parts.
Met a real nice fellow named Jim Flynn at the Dallas show in March. He sells parts at very reasonable prices and nice quality.
I had some late model ShoBud changers I was planning to use, but Jim had a more modern one so I bought that and a real nice keyhead from him. The work saved alone will be well worth the cost.
I'm using some of the great ideas that Ross has incorporated in his new Sierra steels.
That why we call it "Steal Guitar" I guess, ha ha ha. Ross is some kind of genius as far as I'm concerned. Hope to have one of his in the future.
Anyway, I will send you Jim's contact in a PM because it's best not to post those on a forum. I've also re-built some in the past so this will be my first complete build.
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Kevin Fix
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 1 Apr 2019 6:21 pm
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| Ed Fulawka used what looked like Harbor Freight Drill Presses. Go on YouTube and type in Fulawka Pedal Steel Guitars and you will find videos of him in his garage making his parts. He made everything. |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 1 Apr 2019 7:03 pm Thanks for the tip
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Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the tip... Those are some interesting videos. Just wish the guy had been more steady with the camera.
I was trying to find a hollow end mill for just that reason when I was in the US in March but had no luck. Guess I'll just have to keep looking. 
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Karlis Abolins
From:
(near) Seattle, WA, USA
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Posted 2 Apr 2019 6:58 am
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I'll chime in on this since I also built my own pedal steel. I bought a mini lathe and a mini mill. I took a class at the local technical college to learn how to operate the tools safely. I made almost all of the parts with the exception of the legs and changer fingers and levers (I bought a used changer and made my own frame). My design was heavily influenced by the Anapeg steels in the sense that it uses a rigid aluminum frame to minimize cabinet drop but otherwise it is an all-pull.
It took me a couple of years to get it operational and I am satisfied with the sound and operation. Of course, a project like this sometimes doesn't end cleanly. I have it apart in the workshop to fit a new body. Maybe I will finish it before Summer.
In retrospect, I probably would have bought an Anapeg (had it been available) and avoided all of the tiny manufacturing details if I knew in advance of all the complexities.
Karlis |
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Ross Shafer
From:
Petaluma, California
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Posted 2 Apr 2019 7:08 am
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go here for "how to" videos: (Thanks Andy....this link goes to the latest one)
https://youtu.be/mrqBCX5Jt7Y
Last edited by Ross Shafer on 2 Apr 2019 12:17 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 2 Apr 2019 8:04 am Missing link?
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Hi Ross,
That link don't work. Looks incomplete.
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 2 Apr 2019 11:54 am
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Andy,
You need an annular cutter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annular_cutter
Rotabroach are the original makers, check their catalogue for dimensions.
The outer diameter is unimportant in this instance, you are looking for a cutter with an inner diameter of 5/16" (8 mm), or maybe 1/4" (approx 6 mm) |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 2 Apr 2019 2:59 pm
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Stuart, that instrument you got finished has a much nicer finish than mine - I wish I had the skills and the patience!
The mechanics look good too - I suppose when we build from scratch we tend to make things good and solid just to be on the safe side, which means a result that may be on the heavy side, but probably sounds good.
When I finished mine I was delighted with the sound but disappointed that I'd built an S12 that was just as heavy as the D10 it was to replace!
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs
Last edited by Ian Rae on 2 Dec 2019 1:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 2 Apr 2019 3:43 pm Not sure this is it?
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| richard burton wrote: |
Andy,
You need an annular cutter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annular_cutter
Rotabroach are the original makers, check their catalogue for dimensions.
The outer diameter is unimportant in this instance, you are looking for a cutter with an inner diameter of 5/16" (8 mm), or maybe 1/4" (approx 6 mm) |
Hi Richard,
Not sure this is it? I want to use the milling machine to cut the 3/8" cross shafts to have a 1/4" round ends. It needs to also clean off all the excess unwanted material at the same time.
I'll do some searches using that name, "Annular Cutter" instead of "Hollow End Mill"
Thanks for the tip,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 2 Apr 2019 3:51 pm Thanks Ross
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Thanks Ross,
Hay I thought I was the only one who worked in his PJ's and never changed all day except if I have to go out.... Somehow I ain't got with the idea of riding my motorbike in PJ's yet, but time will tell.
By the way, your not the only genius who started out building Bicycles. You are joined by the Wright Brothers who invented powered Flight and the Duesenberg Brothers who built the best automobiles America ever saw, The Duesenberg.
They also worked on the Cord and Auburn some other great cars from the 20's & 30's too.
Now there is you innovating all the great ideas into one of the finest PSG's to be found. Your in good company.
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 2 Apr 2019 4:00 pm Builders, New Forum section? B0b?
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I have no idea how many guys are out in the world building or restoring or just trying to work on steel guitars, both pedal and non pedal?
I'm now working on making two lap steels, a pedal steel and some other instruments.
Also trying to make pickups with that old time tone.
I'd love to see Bob have a new forum section for builders. I know there are a couple of other sites out there, but none compare to the Forum.
Just my 2¢ worth, and well worth what you all paid me for it too!
Your thoughts Bob?
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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