I've purchased new tuning pegs for my fiddle and need to have the string holes drilled.
If I took one of the pegs off that are currently on my fiddle would all the new pegs be drilled in the same place or is each peg different? I can't tell by looking at them while in place. I'm trying to avoid removing all the strings and risk having the sound post disloged from it's current position.
I know someone who makes fine furniture who can do the drilling so I don't have to leave my fiddle with a luthier for a week or longer.
Just to let you know I am lurching this thread with interest. I have issues with the pegs on three of my fiddles and no violin luthier within cooee! Had thought about undertaking a mass peg replacement on them all. Has anyone followed those fantastic looking instructions put up by Laitch? I too had found them and thought I might give them a try. Buy the tools along with the new pegs. Three fiddles is a bit excessive to be taking as hand-luggage on the aeroplane when I go home at Christmas. Had thought if I could do them myself ..... Oh, well! Dream away. Good luck Mary, I am very interested in the outcome.
see previous threads but there should be space for three times the thickness of the string before it hits the pegbox wall. I cannot remember the exact measurements but I think a rough guide was also 1/4 to 1/3 of the width of the pegbox per peg. Also make sure that you fit the pegs correctly or the pegbox may crack.
Sorry I thought you meant the string holes, I have deju-vu from a thread a couple of weeks ago. You need a reamer and peg cutter of the correct taper. PLEASE take it to someone who knows what they are doing.
Sorry, I got the wrong end of the stick. You were right there tlittlewazzock. Mary only wants the string holes drilled .... and I want the peg holes reamed and the pegs shaved to fit. My mistake. I'll listen in anyroad. Cheers.
I felt a twinge of pain just reading this heading, but I too thought it was about reaming... I have guilt there with an instrument I had to rebush and reream, and in a short distraction am left with a less than perfect job that needs redoing... And then there's the pegs I made and got all artsy fartsy about and made them too decorative... Will I ever learn...
I agree with the previous, don't do it yourself if you're having to ask, and don't just hand it over to a woodworker friend. To drill your pegs and fit them properly is not going to cost you a fortune, or shouldn't... Get it done right, and don't live to regret a shortcut or the saving of a few pennies...
'OO' Ceolachan that's sad. Easier said than done, hey! Perhaps you guys could magic me up a violin luthier who isn't a couple of thousand kms away then
Looking at my fiddle, I notice that the position of the string holes in the pegs do not appear to be uniform but "willy nilly". This is not what I thought originally, where each peg would be drilled accordingly, to suit the string that they were meant for. My fiddle pegs are original and so the pegs were originally drilled my the maker of the fiddle.
As for the pegs, I do have a spare set on hand and they do come tapered and extra long so that in event of needing to be fitted it would not be too much of a problem for a wood craftsman to cut and fit the pegs into the original holes, thus avoiding the necessity of reaming those holes.
Thanks for your opinions. This is really interesting. I posted a short while ago asking a similar questions and the general concensus was that I should do it myself. Because much of the work of maintaining a fiddle doesn't have to be "sent out".
Now it seems the tide has turned.
I will send it out as soon as I find a luthier with whom I don't have to make a week day appointment, then leave the fiddle for untold weeks, then make another week day appointment to pick it up. My boss is very accomodating so I know the time off is no problem but I would rather use it for something fun and not a nasty ride into the city.
Thanks again, I know I can count on the old yellow board for answers.
Clear Drops, that might be an easier request to fill than you imagine. There are luthiers hidden all over the place, and some damned good ones hidden away.
To be supportive on that point, having known a number of instrument makers, it is often the repairs, and the little jobs, that help keep them going in their greater passions, making instruments. I have also done some apprenticeships and value that living source of information and skill, and the characters I've had the pleasure of knowing in that realm. There are luthier organizations on every major continent, including dear Clear Drop, Australia...
That's your other option Anitkhntr, do as I have done. If you can find a luthier, ask if you can see the process, if you can be there and ask questions and learn. Some are willing to do that, at least I've never had a "No!" I wouldn't say completely "no" to doing it yourself, but I would say that if you haven't a reasonable idea, or an expert friend to guide you through it. I would also say no to any woodworker taking it on who doesn't know. I've known some great wood turners who wouldn't have a clue how to make a flute or a whistle... Luthiery is not quite the same as woodworking, it is part of the same skills, but a step further from basic furnitue making or house building...
On drilling the pegs, YES!, there should be sense about it. The idea is that the wind pulls the pegs into the box, and ideally that it finishes somewhere around it's placement on the nut. Badly drilled and the tendency would be for the wind to pull the pegs out, as one example, and you'd play hell keeping it in tune... You could learn from repeat mistakes, but I'd go for expert craftsmanship, someone who's been there, either to do it or to guide you through it if they've the time and inclination.
Best of luck...
Reaming!, what distraction, you do know that sometimes you can be a right pain in the arse bear...
Antikhntr, Id just like to say that my two favourite Luthiers, and good friends both use the postal service , I simply stich the address label on the case tape it up , insure it and post it. The cost is not prohibitive.
If you are worried about not having an instrument just but a cheapie from Ebay or somewhere for practice. if you are lucky it could actually sound quite 'good', if not no worries , its just for practice etc and should cost no more than say 50 bucks. the postage may cost that return.
Does the peg fit? Is your fiddle valuable? If its not valuable financially why not have a go? take one out, copy it with your friend and put the new one back. If you are lucky it might fit .straight away. You want to replace 1 or all.?
Soap will smooth a pegs travel and chalk will slow it down. Whats your problem[s] clear drop? and Antik.?
Hey Ceolachan, yes, there are luthiers in Australia. You dont seem to understand how BIG this place is. Clear Drops is in the centre of the continent and virtually is "thousands of miles" from the nearest major centre where said luthiers may be found. Good luck Jan!
Hey Clear drops, Assuming that one of your 3 fiddles is a beater, and that you,ve got some woodworking skills , why not send off for the tools and pegs etc, and give it a try. At worst you,d have to take it in to a luthier to get bushings and pegs installed if it really didn,t work out at all,( keep some fine tuners handy ,in a pinch they can save you from some peg problems!) I did the research, and tried the job with my 12 pegged arabic lute, and am satisfied and confident enough with the results that I,m now moving on to try my hand at some of the fiddle projects I,ve had sitting around for a while. After all in the bad old days people did this kind of maintenance themselves , even making their own cigar box fiddles etc. Doesn,t sound like you,ll be putting any local luthier out of work!! These links may be usefull also http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=2292#pid14074http://www.bearmeadow.com/index.html Good luck and patience!
Hey Gerry,
Long time no see. Thanks for explaining to Ceolachan. Even a lot of Aussies don't realise the huge distances of hot nothings that surround the centre of Oz (how many times do I have ta tell ya, hey ) ... boring ... ho hum ... and you have to wait months and months till anything you send away comes back. Been there, done that, that's why I want to take the fiddles on the plane and hand deliver them at the shop. Talk to the luthier in person, learn a bit about what's happening, etc. Ceolachan, yes, I do know of some Aussie violin luthiers, there are some really good ones, but not around here. The prevailing attitude is fix things yourself. In the olden days it was that or perish, sigh!
My fiddle isn't worth a ton of money.....only to me.
I'm replacing all the tuning pegs. One had gotten stuck and had to be drilled out (long story). I took one from another fiddle and replaced it. It works fine but it bugs me because it doesn't match the others. I purchased a matching set and they need to have the string holes drilled.
You see my fiddle is a vain little thing and loves pretty pegs that match.
Drilling tuning pegs
Drilling tuning pegs
Hello all,
I've purchased new tuning pegs for my fiddle and need to have the string holes drilled.
If I took one of the pegs off that are currently on my fiddle would all the new pegs be drilled in the same place or is each peg different? I can't tell by looking at them while in place. I'm trying to avoid removing all the strings and risk having the sound post disloged from it's current position.
I know someone who makes fine furniture who can do the drilling so I don't have to leave my fiddle with a luthier for a week or longer.
Thanks
Mary .
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by Antikhntr
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
The job may be a little more complicated than it seems, Mary. Take a look at this explanation.
http://hmi.homewood.net/pegjob/
# Posted on November 17th 2007 by joesmith
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Just to let you know I am lurching this thread with interest. I have issues with the pegs on three of my fiddles and no violin luthier within cooee! Had thought about undertaking a mass peg replacement on them all. Has anyone followed those fantastic looking instructions put up by Laitch? I too had found them and thought I might give them a try. Buy the tools along with the new pegs. Three fiddles is a bit excessive to be taking as hand-luggage on the aeroplane when I go home at Christmas. Had thought if I could do them myself ..... Oh, well! Dream away. Good luck Mary, I am very interested in the outcome.
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
lurking durgh!
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
see previous threads but there should be space for three times the thickness of the string before it hits the pegbox wall. I cannot remember the exact measurements but I think a rough guide was also 1/4 to 1/3 of the width of the pegbox per peg. Also make sure that you fit the pegs correctly or the pegbox may crack.
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by tlittlewazzock
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Sorry I thought you meant the string holes, I have deju-vu from a thread a couple of weeks ago. You need a reamer and peg cutter of the correct taper. PLEASE take it to someone who knows what they are doing.
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by tlittlewazzock
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Sorry, I got the wrong end of the stick. You were right there tlittlewazzock. Mary only wants the string holes drilled .... and I want the peg holes reamed and the pegs shaved to fit. My mistake. I'll listen in anyroad. Cheers.
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
I felt a twinge of pain just reading this heading, but I too thought it was about reaming... I have guilt there with an instrument I had to rebush and reream, and in a short distraction am left with a less than perfect job that needs redoing... And then there's the pegs I made and got all artsy fartsy about and made them too decorative... Will I ever learn...
I agree with the previous, don't do it yourself if you're having to ask, and don't just hand it over to a woodworker friend. To drill your pegs and fit them properly is not going to cost you a fortune, or shouldn't... Get it done right, and don't live to regret a shortcut or the saving of a few pennies...
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
scared of a wee reaming there ceolachan??
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
I would be too!!!
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
and don't try to ream yerself
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
'OO' Ceolachan that's sad. Easier said than done, hey! Perhaps you guys could magic me up a violin luthier who isn't a couple of thousand kms away then
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Looking at my fiddle, I notice that the position of the string holes in the pegs do not appear to be uniform but "willy nilly". This is not what I thought originally, where each peg would be drilled accordingly, to suit the string that they were meant for. My fiddle pegs are original and so the pegs were originally drilled my the maker of the fiddle.
As for the pegs, I do have a spare set on hand and they do come tapered and extra long so that in event of needing to be fitted it would not be too much of a problem for a wood craftsman to cut and fit the pegs into the original holes, thus avoiding the necessity of reaming those holes.
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by billcampbell
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Thanks for your opinions. This is really interesting. I posted a short while ago asking a similar questions and the general concensus was that I should do it myself. Because much of the work of maintaining a fiddle doesn't have to be "sent out".
Now it seems the tide has turned.
I will send it out as soon as I find a luthier with whom I don't have to make a week day appointment, then leave the fiddle for untold weeks, then make another week day appointment to pick it up. My boss is very accomodating so I know the time off is no problem but I would rather use it for something fun and not a nasty ride into the city.
Thanks again, I know I can count on the old yellow board for answers.
Mary
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Antikhntr
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Clear Drops, that might be an easier request to fill than you imagine. There are luthiers hidden all over the place, and some damned good ones hidden away.
To be supportive on that point, having known a number of instrument makers, it is often the repairs, and the little jobs, that help keep them going in their greater passions, making instruments. I have also done some apprenticeships and value that living source of information and skill, and the characters I've had the pleasure of knowing in that realm. There are luthier organizations on every major continent, including dear Clear Drop, Australia...
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
That's your other option Anitkhntr, do as I have done. If you can find a luthier, ask if you can see the process, if you can be there and ask questions and learn. Some are willing to do that, at least I've never had a "No!" I wouldn't say completely "no" to doing it yourself, but I would say that if you haven't a reasonable idea, or an expert friend to guide you through it. I would also say no to any woodworker taking it on who doesn't know. I've known some great wood turners who wouldn't have a clue how to make a flute or a whistle... Luthiery is not quite the same as woodworking, it is part of the same skills, but a step further from basic furnitue making or house building...
On drilling the pegs, YES!, there should be sense about it. The idea is that the wind pulls the pegs into the box, and ideally that it finishes somewhere around it's placement on the nut. Badly drilled and the tendency would be for the wind to pull the pegs out, as one example, and you'd play hell keeping it in tune... You could learn from repeat mistakes, but I'd go for expert craftsmanship, someone who's been there, either to do it or to guide you through it if they've the time and inclination.
Best of luck...
Reaming!, what distraction, you do know that sometimes you can be a right pain in the arse bear...
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
sorry..couldn't resist.
In my opinion, though, I would just take the fiddle to a luthier. It will not cost much to fit the pegs and drill them out.
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
We are in agreement bear, in the basics, all reaming aside...
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Antikhntr, Id just like to say that my two favourite Luthiers, and good friends both use the postal service , I simply stich the address label on the case tape it up , insure it and post it. The cost is not prohibitive.
If you are worried about not having an instrument just but a cheapie from Ebay or somewhere for practice. if you are lucky it could actually sound quite 'good', if not no worries , its just for practice etc and should cost no more than say 50 bucks. the postage may cost that return.
Does the peg fit? Is your fiddle valuable? If its not valuable financially why not have a go? take one out, copy it with your friend and put the new one back. If you are lucky it might fit .straight away. You want to replace 1 or all.?
Soap will smooth a pegs travel and chalk will slow it down. Whats your problem[s] clear drop? and Antik.?
# Posted on November 18th 2007 by jig
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Hey Ceolachan, yes, there are luthiers in Australia. You dont seem to understand how BIG this place is. Clear Drops is in the centre of the continent and virtually is "thousands of miles" from the nearest major centre where said luthiers may be found. Good luck Jan!
Gez.
# Posted on November 19th 2007 by GerryTh
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Hey Clear drops, Assuming that one of your 3 fiddles is a beater, and that you,ve got some woodworking skills , why not send off for the tools and pegs etc, and give it a try. At worst you,d have to take it in to a luthier to get bushings and pegs installed if it really didn,t work out at all,( keep some fine tuners handy ,in a pinch they can save you from some peg problems!) I did the research, and tried the job with my 12 pegged arabic lute, and am satisfied and confident enough with the results that I,m now moving on to try my hand at some of the fiddle projects I,ve had sitting around for a while. After all in the bad old days people did this kind of maintenance themselves , even making their own cigar box fiddles etc. Doesn,t sound like you,ll be putting any local luthier out of work!! These links may be usefull also http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=2292#pid14074 http://www.bearmeadow.com/index.html Good luck and patience!
# Posted on November 19th 2007 by mandobrynley
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Hey Gerry,
) ... boring ... ho hum ... and you have to wait months and months till anything you send away comes back. Been there, done that, that's why I want to take the fiddles on the plane and hand deliver them at the shop. Talk to the luthier in person, learn a bit about what's happening, etc. Ceolachan, yes, I do know of some Aussie violin luthiers, there are some really good ones, but not around here. The prevailing attitude is fix things yourself. In the olden days it was that or perish, sigh!
Long time no see. Thanks for explaining to Ceolachan. Even a lot of Aussies don't realise the huge distances of hot nothings that surround the centre of Oz (how many times do I have ta tell ya, hey
# Posted on November 19th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Drilling tuning pegs
Thanks Jig,
My fiddle isn't worth a ton of money.....only to me.
I'm replacing all the tuning pegs. One had gotten stuck and had to be drilled out (long story). I took one from another fiddle and replaced it. It works fine but it bugs me because it doesn't match the others. I purchased a matching set and they need to have the string holes drilled.
You see my fiddle is a vain little thing and loves pretty pegs that match.
Mary
# Posted on November 20th 2007 by Antikhntr