Making Tuner Knobs

[screwdelulu]

I made a big mistake and bought 3 (!) sets of Large knobs Gotoh tuners.

I'm currently in the making of 12 string and wanna fit those but it just take to much space.

Is it possible to make new knobs for the tuners out of wood? Someone did it?

Thanks

[Ben]

Was the mistake buying 3 sets when you only need 2 ?

Seriously, I too have seen it done before so it is definitely possible.

I dont want to discourage you from making your own, (and if you do make your own post pics ), but do you know you can just buy the knobs seperately and replace them?

[screwdelulu]

Didn't know...

I hope i can make them - don't have the money or the time for another order (shipping to israel is expensive plus very time consuming...)

Thanks for the quick response

[Mattia]

Honestly, getting replacement machines is going to be faster than making new knobs.

[thegarehanman]

I don't think I have it in me to make tuner knobs by hands(at least ones that would stand up to my own scrutiny). The inside of them normally has a hole with two curved and two flat sides. I don't know about you, but I have no easy way of making a hole like that. If you're trying to get knobs to look a certain way, I've seen people veneer faux ebony and pearloid knobs before with good results. I'll probably try that in the near future as well.

peace,

russ

[mikhailgtrski]

The inside of them normally has a hole with two curved and two flat sides. I don't know about you, but I have no easy way of making a hole like that.

Well, that's the trick, isn't it? I'm trying to come up with a good way to do it, so I can make some rosewood keystone buttons. Hmmm...

[Setch]

Drill out the hole. Turn a small dowel from matching scrap. Slice the appropriate amount off the dowel, and test fit it in the hole. Adjust to fit, then wipe with glue and push the knob and shim onto a tuner shaft whilst it dries.

Sometimes, the subtractive solution is too complex to be practical, so you have to look at additive.

[Jalien21]

i'd try to cut that hole with a smaller drill bit, then use a jewlers saw or something to square up opposite sides of it. but i don't really know what i'm doing.

[thegarehanman]

EDIT: I didn't understand your method at first setch, but now that I do, that's an excellent idea. So tell us, have you done this before?

[mikhailgtrski]

Drill out the hole. Turn a small dowel from matching scrap. Slice the appropriate amount off the dowel, and test fit it in the hole. Adjust to fit, then wipe with glue and push the knob and shim onto a tuner shaft whilst it dries.

Thanks, Setch. Great idea, although I'd skip the glue since the Grover buttons attach with a screw.

[thegarehanman]

mikhailgtrski,

I think you're not totally following setch's instructions(I didn't either at first). He's recomending you glue the shims you slice off the dowel into the knob, using the tuner shaft as a means of keeping the shims in place as the glue dries. He's not suggesting you glue the knob to the tuner shaft.

peace,

russ

[Setch]

Exaker-ly

Rus, I haven't tried it myself, though I probably will sometime. If you try it I'd love to see the results.

[mikhailgtrski]

Gotcha. I'll be your guinea pig.

[Jalien21]

OOooohhhhh... hey, yeah. actually, that seems like a good idea..

[mikhailgtrski]

i'd try to cut that hole with a smaller drill bit, then use a jewlers saw or something to square up opposite sides of it. but i don't really know what i'm doing.

A jeweler's file might work.