Double Bass Hat Peg Tuner Installation

[msmartt]

I have purchased a new set of Rubner Hat Peg tuners for a carved bass I own. The tuners have a slight taper on the pegs. Does any know the proper reamer to fit these Pegs? If anyone has a reamer for sale to fit these Pegs, I am willing to purchase.

Any tips on installation methods is also appreciated.

Michael Smartt

 

[1st Bass]

Reamers are not too hard to make...look it up on YouTube: you can make exactly the taper you need. (Been there, did that)
A good steel reamer is hard to make and expensive to buy, but a good hardwood reamer with a steel blade inserted is not bad at all.

 

[msmartt]

1st Bass. Anyway you could post a link to the video you suggest. Thanks.

 

[1st Bass]

Look on YouTube... the one I’m thinking of is by a guy in Australia... his channel is called “Pask makes.”

 

[1st Bass]

Here it is:


I have made only one of these... a small one, for a specialized need. They work rather slowly compared to a steel reamer, but they work just fine.
I don’t have a lathe: I used my electric drill to spin the wooden body. I felt it was a worthwhile project.

 

[Don Hergert]

Thank you for posting this @1st Bass!

I have an end pin reaming project ahead of me when my Alcoa's original wooden end pin collar finally cracks all the way through and absolutely has to be replaced. I have a new replacement waiting in the wings, but the original collar has been glued in with some horrible aircraft adhesive that works too well with aluminum and wood, and it will need to be reamed out before I can replace it...

The adhesive is permanently tacky and will obviously ruin whatever reamer I use, so this is the perfect answer, easy enough to make, and much less expensive than a formal metal reamer.

Thanks again!

 

[1st Bass]

Rub your reamer all over with a candle before you begin, so the glue will not adhere to either the wood or the steel blade.
It will make the reamer turn more easily, and allow the blade to cut instead of binding.

 

[msmartt]

Thanks 1st Bass for the link!!

 

[james condino]

Send a quick email to the folks at Rubner. They are pretty good to work with and will tell you the exact reamer size and taper needed. Epay is loaded with reasonably priced Chinese steel reamers. I don't recommend them for professional daily use, but for the occasional use they work well; I own a few.

If it is a one time thing, you can always put it back on ebay and recoup your $$$ pretty easy. In my case they eventually all get downgraded to working on my old truck or the lawnmower...

If you have access to a lathe, in a few minutes you can turn a tapered wooden dowel that you can wrap with sandpaper that will do the job surprisingly well, but it will be slower than with a reamer that cuts the wood rather than abrasive sanding.

 

[msmartt]

So I am at the point of drilling holes and debating the following decision. Do I drill all the way through and expose the peg ends or half the way through for a cleaner look? The bass is a new carved bass. What are you guys thoughts?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Halfway, to preserve cheek strength and because it’s easier to hide mistakes. Lubricate with parrafin or graphite powder. You may need more than one bite at that apple.

A few years ago I drilled through installing a set of Sloanes. It’s not the cleanest job ever.

 

[msmartt]

After days of practice on scrap Wood, finally getting started. Took KungfuSheriffds advice going only half way through the peg box

Michael

 

[msmartt]

Another picture. Thanks for the advice all!