| Author |
Topic: Threads Not Straight on Leg |
Dan Robinson
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 11 Nov 2016 8:11 pm |
|
The threaded plug seems to be off axis on one leg. The opposite end makes a small circle when the leg is screwed into the end plate. Doesn't affect function or stability of the guitar, it's just a distraction during assembly.
I'll be sure to use this as a rear leg, so it won't fight placement of the pedal bar on the legs.
My better judgement says to leave well enough alone. What's involved in correcting if I get ambitious? |
|
|
 |
Skip Edwards
From:
LA,CA
|
Posted 11 Nov 2016 9:16 pm
|
|
Hmmm...sounds like an old Sho-Bud to me...
It may be the threads on the end of the leg, but more likely it's the way the threads were tapped in the endplate. One of the front legs on my 6139 is like that - a bit askew - and it's not the leg's fault.
Not much you can do about it, but it never was a problem for me. |
|
|
|
Dan Robinson
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 11 Nov 2016 9:54 pm
|
|
Hi Skip,
My 6139 has some quirks, too. But its old legs are straighter than mine, lol.
This problem is with one of the legs on the Carter SD10 I got yesterday. The issue moves with the leg. As I screw it into the endplate the opposite end makes a small circle, about an inch in diameter. The threaded plug is not aligned with the center axis of the leg. Could be the leg wasn't cut straight.
Maybe I could remove the plug, recut with a pipe cutter. I don't know how to remove the plug, if it must be crimped after reinserting. And then the leg will be shorter than the others. Makes only cosmetic difference for a rear leg. But in the end, am I better off to leave it as is? |
|
|
|
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 11 Nov 2016 10:20 pm
|
|
If the crutch tip describes a circle, it's NOT the endplate; threads don't work like that.
You can either buy another leg or do the following:
Using a metal rod (and probably a big hammer), drive out the threaded plug.
MAKING SURE YOU'RE SQUARE, cut off an inch or so of the end of the leg.
Drive the threaded plug back in, making sure it's square.
If you get it off-axis, the problem will persist. It may require pressing into place.
Since I don't possess a band saw with a fence, I'd probably replace the leg, unless I knew a friend with machine shop tools.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
|
Posted 12 Nov 2016 5:34 am
|
|
| Use it for a back leg. Don't ever think about it again. Play your guitar. |
|
|
|
Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
|
Posted 12 Nov 2016 6:49 am
|
|
If it doesn't affect your audience's perception of your playing, leave it. They will never appreciate any efforts you make to correct it.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
|
|
|
Dan Robinson
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 12 Nov 2016 7:30 am
|
|
"Thus Spake Zarathustra." Great input. Thanks guys. Gotta run... woodshed time.  |
|
|
|
Willie Sims
From:
PADUCAH, KY, USA
|
Posted 12 Nov 2016 7:36 am
|
|
| After removing the leg plug, like LANE suggested check the leg where the plug was, and see if it is straight a round the top of the leg. If it is off just a tiny bit, have a machinist square the END of the leg. I find it easier to replace the plug IN the leg, by using a socket that will fit over the threads of the plug, and pounding the leg on top of a vice. If this is the problem, then you won't have to shorten the leg. Willie SIMS |
|
|
|
Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
|
Posted 16 Nov 2016 9:24 am
|
|
If the lug is tight and the leg does not wobble while screwed into the guitar snug I suspect the threaded lug is bent at the weak point just below the threads. You can screw a nut on the threads, lock that nut in a vise and straighten the lug. Be careful to not overdo it as the length of the leg gives you a lot of leverage. It will require some trial and error to get it just right.
Jerry
_________________
http://www.littleoprey.org/ |
|
|
|
Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
|
Posted 16 Nov 2016 1:41 pm
|
|
I bought a SHO-BUD Pro II from a forumite that had two wobbly legs when I got it. He helped me fix it permanently with Gorilla glue (don't laugh, it worked). Step I disassemble the leg and use a steel rod (re-bar) and hammer to tap out the threaded 'plug'. Step 2 clean the plug with a wire brush, and clean inside of leg to make sure there the surface is clean and smooth. Step 3 tap the plug back in and make sure it will fit flush around the circumference. Step 4 knock plug out. Step 5 apply SMALL amount of regular Gorilla glue (thin film) to each surface (outside of plug and inside of leg. Step 6 tap in plug until flush. Wipe off excess glue. Let it dry overnight. Step 7 you should see a bead of dried glue around the plug. Gorilla glue expands to form a swedge type fit. It works!
Of course this worked fine on my SHO-BUD.
Thanx
Jim |
|
|
|
Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
|
Posted 16 Nov 2016 3:00 pm
|
|
I would not recommend pounding in the threaded insert unless you machine a piece of steel that fits over the threaded length and seats against the shoulder of the insert. Pounding away at the end of the threaded portion is a recipe for knocking the threaded portion out of alignment -- bending it. Even tapping is bad. That square shoulder that Jerry referenced is a machining No-No and a point of weakness that is a focus for stress.
Jerry got it right above. The threaded portion likely was bent when the leg was dropped on the floor. The insert was not made crooked. The seven machining steps to make threaded inserts on a lathe maintain dead center. Without special lathe tooling, it would be hard to make the piece that short out of center.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars. |
|
|
|
Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
|
Posted 16 Nov 2016 3:02 pm
|
|
Jim, my understanding is that the leg screws in tight and when tight is stable, not loose or wobbly, but when he is screwing it in the other end of the leg swings in a circle meaning it is not in alignment with the threads. A loose thread lug would wobble after the leg is screwed it tight. Perhaps I got the wrong impression of the problem? It is not uncommon for someone to stumble into a steel guitar while it is set up (expecially in some of he places steel guitars are played) and if that happens it is very easy to get the lug bent at that part between the leg shoulder and the threads which is smaller diameter. I keep two heavy nuts 1/2-13 size on hand to screw onto the threads of a leg fairly tight to protect the threads. Before I reinsert a lug I cradle it between the two jaws of a vice and go completely around it with a chisel forming fairly deep "X" chisel marks which serve as knurling make a very tight fit.
Jerry
_________________
http://www.littleoprey.org/ |
|
|
|
Dan Robinson
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 16 Nov 2016 8:49 pm
|
|
| Jerry Roller wrote: |
| Jim, my understanding is that the leg screws in tight and when tight is stable, not loose or wobbly, but when he is screwing it in the other end of the leg swings in a circle meaning it is not in alignment with the threads. |
Jerry, you are correct. It's a bother only during assembly, and a small one at that. Discretion being the better part of valor, I'm going to leave it alone.
My grandfather taught me about this when he said, "it's mind over matter... if you don't mind, it doesn't matter." |
|
|
|
