Pickup Manufacturing Questions

[VegasCustom]

Hey guys, along with my builds I am also nearing the electronic aspect as I can set most of that up before installation. So heres a few questions about pickup manufacturing.

1) What home materials can I use to make my own bobbins? i.e. 3D printers and what not
2)How do I enlarge bobbin holes to fit current available magnet poles without damaging bobbin?
3)Can you cut magnets yourself with saws or sanders to adjust lengths?
4) My counter on my winder seems to fail a lot. Is there a DIY thing I can apply to my winder to get adequate winding readings?

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Lots of info and helpful folks here.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/magnets-copper-wire-a-pickup-building-thread.1374810/

 

[VegasCustom]

Lots of info and helpful folks here.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/magnets-copper-wire-a-pickup-building-thread.1374810/

Thank you! Im here to learn all I can

 

[rudy4444]

Hey guys, along with my builds I am also nearing the electronic aspect as I can set most of that up before installation. So heres a few questions about pickup manufacturing.

1) What home materials can I use to make my own bobbins? i.e. 3D printers and what not
2)How do I enlarge bobbin holes to fit current available magnet poles without damaging bobbin?
3)Can you cut magnets yourself with saws or sanders to adjust lengths?
4) My counter on my winder seems to fail a lot. Is there a DIY thing I can apply to my winder to get adequate winding readings?

1. Garolite opaque black sheets (and partial sizes) are available from McMaster-Carr
2. Buy the properly sized drill bit to match a press fit for your magnets (McMaster-Carr again)
3. Quick answer, no. Buy them in the length you need.
4. You might be able to use a speed reduction method similar to what I used on my winder. It works very well for me. HERE is my "winder" post in the aforementioned pretty much all-encompassing pickup manufacturing topic.

 

[VegasCustom]

1. Garolite opaque black sheets (and partial sizes) are available from McMaster-Carr
2. Buy the properly sized drill bit to match a press fit for your magnets (McMaster-Carr again)
3. Quick answer, no. Buy them in the length you need.
4. You might be able to use a speed reduction method similar to what I used on my winder. It works very well for me. HERE is my "winder" post in the aforementioned pretty much all-encompassing pickup manufacturing topic.

You all rule. I love the knowledge sharing on this site

 

[BishopJP]

1. Garolite opaque black sheets (and partial sizes) are available from McMaster-Carr
2. Buy the properly sized drill bit to match a press fit for your magnets (McMaster-Carr again)
3. Quick answer, no. Buy them in the length you need.
4. You might be able to use a speed reduction method similar to what I used on my winder. It works very well for me. HERE is my "winder" post in the aforementioned pretty much all-encompassing pickup manufacturing topic.

Is there a type of Garolite you prefer? I've got some of the "Economical CE", 1/16" thick, that I had for other stuff, but thought of making some flatwork out of it. I think that was the cheapest I saw offered by McMaster.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

You all rule. I love the knowledge sharing on this site

Read through that whole thread. We cover all those questions in great detail, with many different solutions from different builders.

 

[rudy4444]

Is there a type of Garolite you prefer? I've got some of the "Economical CE", 1/16" thick, that I had for other stuff, but thought of making some flatwork out of it. I think that was the cheapest I saw offered by McMaster.

I much prefer the Garolite XX opaque black. I get it in 1/16", 1/8". and 1/4" thicknesses. I use it for other purposes such as making contoured banjo armrests, too. It looks very much like top grade ebony, but without grain and much stronger.

 

[Beej]

I much prefer the Garolite XX opaque black. I get it in 1/16", 1/8". and 1/4" thicknesses. I use it for other purposes such as making contoured banjo armrests, too. It looks very much like top grade ebony, but without grain and much stronger.

That looks fantastic - what do you finish it with?

 

[BishopJP]

I much prefer the Garolite XX opaque black. I get it in 1/16", 1/8". and 1/4" thicknesses. I use it for other purposes such as making contoured banjo armrests, too. It looks very much like top grade ebony, but without grain and much stronger.

Cool, thanks! Looks to be a similar price, too.

Seeing that picture of your drum, I think I've asked this question before...

 

[rudy4444]

That looks fantastic - what do you finish it with?

No finish, sanded to 320 and polished with 0000 steel wool.