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Topic: GFI seat tubing worn through |
Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2024 7:08 am |
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I've been using the same GFI steel seat since the mid-late 1980s (not sure when I bought it) and have done various repair and mods to it over the years. Lately, the legs were getting wobbly no matter how much I tightened the clamp. I found out why. It has been set up and taken down thousands of times and the steel bracket finally wore thru the aluminum tubing, even though I had a washer in between.
I think this is the type of repair that the low temp aluminum brazing rod will take care of. Or, maybe GFI can supply me new legs?
I installed some fender washers for now and that makes it usable, but I don't know for how long.
A couple other mods- the steel brackets had dug into the plywood to the point I could no longer tighten it down. I installed a steel plate for them to rest against. And I machined my own wing nut. This part works well.
I suppose a rational person would just buy a new seat...but I am a Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do without kinda guy.
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"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2024 7:28 am
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One idea I have for repairing this is to turn an oak or maybe aluminum dowel to fit snugly inside the tubing and drive a short piece down to the damaged area, then drill a hole for the bolt.
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"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2024 2:05 pm
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It looks like that seat, Has had a rough life.
As a horseman would say, "It has been rode hard and put up wet to many times". From looks, It needs some TLC.
Dowel rod inside the legs would help, A new set of legs would be even better.
If two of the legs broke, You could be could be laying on your back on stage, Worse yet go off back of stage. Or you and the guitar may land on the dance floor.
I like that "Farm Use" license plate. Sort of fits the seats condition. |
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Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2024 2:23 pm
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| Bobby D. Jones wrote: |
It looks like that seat, Has had a rough life.
As a horseman would say, "It has been rode hard and put up wet to many times". From looks, It needs some TLC.
Dowel rod inside the legs would help, A new set of legs would be even better.
If two of the legs broke, You could be could be laying on your back on stage, Worse yet go off back of stage. Or you and the guitar may land on the dance floor.
I like that "Farm Use" license plate. Sort of fits the seats condition. |
I have been searching for a source for new legs. The seat makers likely buy them from somewhere, I suspect.
The design relies on electrical conduit clamps to hold the tubing and let it rotate. Not a terrible idea, but those clamps get loose and I have to take them off an re-tension them with a vise and hammer.
I reupholstered the seat years ago. This old thing keeps on ticking...
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"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2024 7:15 pm
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| If you use the dowel rod repair, I would suggest enough dowel rod to go about 4 inches above and below the hole. As bad as the tubing is worn and torn, 1 leg could break, And start a domino effect. More pressure on other legs, Another leg could break. |
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Bobby Martin
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 30 Jan 2024 3:31 pm Replacement seat for pedal steel
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Hey Lynn, get a new Tama drum seat with backrest like mine, you'll love it!
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Retired my "Flying Pro III" playin' gigs with the "little bud" in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. |
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John Swain
From:
Winchester, Va
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Posted 31 Jan 2024 7:17 am
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| Lynn, I bought a set of legs from Jimmie Hudson! You might call him. JS |
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Willis Vanderberg
From:
Petoskey Mi
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Posted 31 Jan 2024 7:55 pm
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Lynn, those clamps are supposed to be lined with a material to keep that from happening.
You shouldn’t have to beat them with a hammer. |
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Johnie King
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 1 Feb 2024 7:04 am
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I have new leg kits available. And a couple Pac a seats available.
$80 dollars shipped.
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Jacob Yergert
From:
Centennial, Colorado, USA
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Posted 1 Feb 2024 7:26 am
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| Johnie King wrote: |
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Johnie, you always have the coolest stuff in your photos. All those steels in the back are awesome. You're living the dream, man! |
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Nicholas Cox
From:
CA
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Posted 1 Feb 2024 7:52 am Legs
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| An idea I got from Jack Stoner is to cut down an aluminum Walker. Can find them for free sometimes. I built a seat with one and it’s sturdy. |
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Warren Pederson
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 2 Feb 2024 8:56 pm
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| I wouldn't be too surprized if GFI told you to pound sand. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2024 7:47 am
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| GFI hasn't built seats in years. Steelers choice in Arkansas makes great seats and would likely sell you a set of legs. I would do the doll rod fix as was suggested. Dan Rollins used to drive doll rod in all his Steelers choice seats. Not sure they still do. |
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