Double Bass Kay Tuner Screws

[BassFalcon]

Do you have an old Kay bass?

In the intervening decades since it’s birth has it lost a screw? The one that fastens the tuning gear to the shaft?

if you answered yes to those questions have I got news for you!

the answer to all your prayers is below!:

Machine screws, Slotted round head, Brass, #12-24 x 3/8" - Bolt Depot

 

[BassFalcon]

The associated washer to the above part is a bit smaller than the original but it is big enough to do the job. I am currently test-aging one in some salt and balsamic vinegar. Pics later

 

[turf3]

For aging brass, try suspending the part over a half inch of good old household ammonia cleaner, in a bucket, with some clear wrap over the top.

 

[eh_train]

I am currently test-aging one in some salt and balsamic vinegar.

BF, That sounds tasty! I've not heard of that method, so am interested to see if it works.

try suspending the part over a half inch of good old household ammonia cleaner ...

The ammonia treatment does work, although it tends to give a dull, too-even finish for my liking.

Thankfully, neither of you suggested scuffing them with an abrasive. Phoniest "aging", ever...

 

[eh_train]

the answer to all your prayers is below!:

Machine screws, Slotted round head, Brass, #12-24 x 3/8" - Bolt Depot

Bolt Depot is great! They also sell very small brass flat head screws, in the ballpark for attaching plates, like these:

Wood screws, Slotted flat head, Brass, #0 - Bolt Depot
Wood screws, Slotted round head, Brass, #0 x 1/4" - Bolt Depot

But, the real answer to my prayers would be a source for the actual gear. Those are tricky to find. Anybody??

 

[GretschWretch]

Bolt Depot is great! They also sell very small brass flat head screws, in the ballpark for attaching plates, like these:

Wood screws, Slotted flat head, Brass, #0 - Bolt Depot
Wood screws, Slotted round head, Brass, #0 x 1/4" - Bolt Depot

But, the real answer to my prayers would be a source for the actual gear. Those are tricky to find. Anybody??

And the gear is ? The spur gear turned by the worm? The worm gear on the shank? The entire gear? The entire plate, including gears?

 

[BassFalcon]

Not having much luck with the salt and vinegar method. Although it’s great on chips and fries, haha. I don’t think I have any ammonia laying around. I’ll probably just put them on as is, I’ll be listing this old Kay for sale very soon anyway. I have no source for the gears, unfortunately. I would think someone like James Condino may have a junk bin with a few in there. Alternatively there are small machine shops all over the place that could easily whip a few up for you, but it would probably actually be cheaper to just to buy a full plate set, like Gollihur offers, Thomann actually has tons of options, and canabalize the gear from another set.

 

[james condino]

You can usually find the same screw locally at ACE Hardware and they are readily available on EPAY in small quantities.

Make sure to add a drop of blue Loctite before installing (NOT the red!!!!) or it will wind up falling off again in a few months.

 

[eh_train]

And the gear is ? The spur gear turned by the worm? The worm gear on the shank? The entire gear? The entire plate, including gears?

Oh, jeez, I'm obviously no machinist. It's the "toothed wheel-thing " in the pic below. Take away the screw, take away the washer, and it's the leftover thing that my camera can't put into focus properly.

GW, what is the correct term? Spur gear?

 

[eh_train]

I would think someone like James Condino may have a junk bin with a few in there.

Nope, at least not a bunch of the little wheels, just waiting for some love. It's not too hard to find half-busted plates, but even those go for more than a few bucks.

Alternatively there are small machine shops all over the place that could easily whip a few up for you, but it would probably actually be cheaper to just to buy a full plate set...

I'm exploring the machinist option now. Sure it's cheaper to buy a new set, but they don't look anything like vintage, made-in-Chicago Klusons.

 

[GretschWretch]

Oh, jeez, I'm obviously no machinist. It's the "toothed wheel-thing " in the pic below. Take away the screw, take away the washer, and it's the leftover thing that my camera can't put into focus properly.

GW, what is the correct term? Spur gear?


View attachment 4700482

It is, to the best of my knowledge, spur gear. Think of the old American west with the cowboys and all, spurring their mounts to run faster.

 

[BassFalcon]

My second attempt at salt and vinegar aging was amazing. One part salt to two parts cider vinegar which was 5% acidity, not sure if that matters. I put that in a sandwich bag, tossed the screws around in it to coat them, then I kind of inflated the sandwich bag and zipped it shut. I shuffled the screws so they weren’t sitting in the puddle of vinegar and salt and that was all it took. My first attempt I had them submerged. Then I remembered if I want oxidized screws, I need oxygen. So I believe that may have been the trick. Overnight and their funk matches the 62 year old funk on the tuners.

 

[BassFalcon]

Brand new screws

 

[Keith Rawlings]

Bolt Depot is great! They also sell very small brass flat head screws, in the ballpark for attaching plates, like these:

Wood screws, Slotted flat head, Brass, #0 - Bolt Depot
Wood screws, Slotted round head, Brass, #0 x 1/4" - Bolt Depot

But, the real answer to my prayers would be a source for the actual gear. Those are tricky to find. Anybody??

Yes. I wish someone sold exact replacements. My Kay has been missing two of the wood screws on the tuner plates for as long as I’ve owned it (27 years) and I have yet to locate an exact replica worthy of the bass.