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Tool Talk => Keychain and One Piece Tools => Topic started by: Outback in Idaho on March 03, 2018, 09:11:06 AM

Title: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Outback in Idaho on March 03, 2018, 09:11:06 AM
Does anyone know of a disc or dice-like device that can be used as an emergency tuner knob?

New Seagull S8 arrived from Canada and a tuner knob broke. Well Seagull uses a proprietary tuner shaft.

In my research of looking for a replacement had found out there were press-on type tuner shafts where super glue or heat was used. If there was a device that had a slight conical shape to it, that could work for these types of tuners, Schaller types. Then there are Waverly types that have a square shaft. Not sure of there are others, but when a tuner knob breaks and the local music store does not have what you need, one has to do without and order one online. But what to use in the meantime? Leatherman Crunch is too cumbersome, and not seen a small tuner clamp device made out of some lightweight material that could clamp over the shaft to turn it.

So was here considering making a make-shift tuner out of some spare silky oak I had laying around here and wondered if perhaps I could put a bug in someone's creative ear to where they can make such a device, disc, or tuner die (dice) -- or perhaps someone knew of something like this that is out already on the market?

Seagull has a 4mm shaft with 3mm flats on an elongated oval so to speak. So theirs is their own and music stores have to order these from Seagull (Canada), which means wait time. So a tuner device/thing would be the cat's meow and might sell well in music shops - cause the one I was in services several schools had nothing like that.

Here's a phone of the Seagull S8 tuner shaft
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4706/26699380058_8fcc4639e3_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Mizedog on March 03, 2018, 04:07:08 PM
That's too bad.  A friend is having a similar problem with a Honey (not that they are in the same class as Seagul). I struggled to find replacements through Stew mac last year.  But,  after the new year,  yet had something I think will work.

In the meantime, if you know you'll replace your whole machine,  how about using thread lock to glue the screw in.  Then,  use a Philips to tune.  You might just have to come up with a witty joke for when on stage ;)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Mizedog on March 03, 2018, 04:15:49 PM
I do like the idea of silky oak.  Maybe it's time to yank out the scroll saw, disc sander, drill press. Make a whole new set.  You could consider JB Weld if your concerned that glue won't have enough purchase on the shaft.

Let us know your solution.

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Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Outback in Idaho on March 03, 2018, 07:08:52 PM
Had super glued the old tuner knob back together, but did not look like it was going to set up. Took some photos of what a replacement would look like, then set it aside.
Been getting like 5 hours sleep lats few days, 2 jobs, work stress, body resisting. Anyhow, got home last night and the knob actually had set up. Put it back on and tuned it up

The place of purchase (The Acoustic Room in Hamilton, Canada) said he would have his supplier send out two knobs should one need replaces later on. Then I found out the tuner itself got hit with something during shipment. I offered to cover whatever was needed, however Mark Pongetti said there was no charge, and he was going to make this right. he was going to contact his supplier. Perhaps a new tuning machine will come out too?

A die might work, or a disc similar to a Master Key Tuner might work. Shaft holes drilled through respective sides, then shaped for the various types of tuners - or slight conical for screw in types. Might be what the music world needs, a Universal Tuner Key.
A die would be smaller, and heck, might even be used as a spare key knob itself, or dangled from a tuner or strap. Wished I had the equipment and know-how to make something like this a reality. Surely someone must have thought of this idea before me.


Will work on a Silky Oak tuner knob once I get enough sleep to think clearer. Know I have some small files around here, just where did I put them... :angel:
Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Sparky415 on March 03, 2018, 10:43:38 PM
Would as small crescent wrench work?  :think:
You could cut off the handle to make it fit a keyring  :shrug:
Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Mizedog on March 04, 2018, 12:31:06 AM
I got the tuners changed on my friends guitar.  I saw that the factory drilled the holes in the wrong place making the tuners crooked.  I drilled them in the right place,  and filled the bad holes with wood, and glue.  All is good, and the Grover are MUCH better than the stock junk.
I hope your fix works.  Seagull are great,  and I miss my old one.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180303/ae29389e762795ec80ef0bc532800876.jpg)

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Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Outback in Idaho on March 05, 2018, 09:56:25 AM
Would as small crescent wrench work?  :think:
You could cut off the handle to make it fit a keyring  :shrug:

Too heavy.
Has been some time since I saw one of them micro-crescent wrenches made from aluminum that used to be carried on key chains back in the 80's.
Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: ThePeacent on March 05, 2018, 01:12:03 PM
Would as small crescent wrench work?  :think:
You could cut off the handle to make it fit a keyring  :shrug:

Too heavy.
Has been some time since I saw one of them micro-crescent wrenches made from aluminum that used to be carried on key chains back in the 80's.

Nix sent me this on January,

(https://i.imgur.com/y8RkCvj.jpg)

I recommend! it was bought in the US
Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Outback in Idaho on March 06, 2018, 04:28:37 AM
  A universal spoke wrench sort of works. Who knew?
Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Outback in Idaho on March 07, 2018, 02:42:50 AM
The Acoustic Room is sending out  a complete set of Seagull Mandolin Machine Heads tomorrow morning. They just received them from Godin Guitars. :D

It was requested that I remove a YouTube video that I created to show them what I found. Was initially made to see if I was perhaps over-reacting. Wonder which had gotten the most views, MTO posts or YouTube videos?  ???
Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Kev D on March 10, 2018, 10:23:38 PM
I guess they don't like bad publicity
Title: Re: Tuner Key Adjuster Disc?
Post by: Syncop8r on March 10, 2018, 11:07:57 PM
Probably a bit late, but I wonder if there is any chance a drum key would work.  :think: