wolfshieldrx Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 How would you go about making a tapered reamer to ream the holes for tuning pegs for violins, dulcimers, etc? Thanks in advance...bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 You can probably buy one. I have a lot of tapered reamers in one of my drawers in the shop. PM me a size that you need and I'll check if I have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 If you REALLY want to make your own taper a flat bar of med to high C steel to the desired degree. Attach a handle and sharpen the edges. You'll want to use relatively thick flat so it can act as a guide which means grinding relief in the edges and still leave enough as a guide. A little finicky but not particularly hard. I'd buy one myself. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitewatchman Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 An easy way to make a tapered reamer is to make it like a D Bit. Turn or form the taper you want and then grind one side away till you reach the diameter and hone flat. A fulfilling operation to make your own but I would just buy a Taper Pin Reamer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 I recommend: International Violin Company 1421 Clarkview Rd Baltimore MD 21209 Tel: (410) 832-2525 Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm Web: www.internationalviolin.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfshieldrx Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share Posted July 3, 2009 Thanks a bunch, guys! I want to make an Appalachian/mountain dulcimer in the traditional style with wooden tuning pegs. I COULD buy a reamer...but I really want to make my own. Why? Just to see if I can. thanks again...bart ps...will post pictures if/when it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Make one just because you can? My gosh, that's unheard of man! Now stop that immediately and go buy one! Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 Take a peg saw a slot in it.cut the side of the slot down half the depth of the slot. Insert a hunk of a busted hand saw blade so it sets flush with the surface of the taper on the peg . Drill, ream. Finnr PS I build dulcimers and am WAY too cheap to buy areamer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfshieldrx Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share Posted July 3, 2009 Take a peg saw a slot in it.cut the side of the slot down half the depth of the slot. Insert a hunk of a busted hand saw blade so it sets flush with the surface of the taper on the peg . Drill, ream. Finnr PS I build dulcimers and am WAY too cheap to buy areamer Problem is, I want to make my own pegs. (Which came first the chicken, er, the peg or the reamer?) As I understand it, you make/buy/borrow a reamer, use the reamer to make a peg shaver then turn/whittle the pegs a little oversize and shave to final size for a "perfect"(?) fit in the reamed hole. No experience doing this, but I have been doing a lot of reading...does this sound reasonable?? thanks again for all the knowlege and support from the guys on this site...bart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 I have no experience making musical instruments but it's typically easier to measure an external surface rather than a tapered hole. Subsequently, I'd make the reamer to make the hole, then turn the pegs to fit the hole. You can charcoal the pegs to act like machinist's bluing to assist in getting a tight fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted July 3, 2009 Share Posted July 3, 2009 (edited) The web site that I provided above has various reamers and peg shavers for various violins, dulcimers, etc type stringed instruments and various sizes of those instruments. While you are planning to make your own tools, looking at what the professionals use may give you some ideas, and allow you to reverse engineer them. Pegs and their matching tapered holes in instruments such as violins, require precision in order for the pegs to turn easily yet stay exactly and precisely where desired. If the holes and pegs are not precision tapered and matching, then the instrument in my humble experience will not stay in tune. Sort of like using a hammer of which the head of the hammer is constantly falling off. People also like to be able to purchase replacement pegs from local stores that fit standard holes in their instruments. Edited July 4, 2009 by UnicornForge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.