My wife, the Luthier
by David P. Wescott
String through the body ferrules
If there's one thing I can't stand, it's when these things fall out of the body. Not a big deal but just one of those little things that can tick you off, know what I mean? Anger issues? Definitely lol!! So anyhow, I figured I'd make a set that couldn't just fall out anymore.
Part One:
Bottom section - the part that will accept the "ball" end of the string.
These once again are made from brass to match the theme we have going here.
Click images to zoom
As usual we start with a "blank" piece of brass by trimming the ends to size, center drill both sides, then drill the final hole that's going through the part, and then drilling the large diameter to acomodate the ball end of the string.
Here you can see the blanks with the smaller diameter turned down which will actually be the largest diameter of this part when it's finished.
Here you can see how I've stepped the body down quite a bit...
... this diameter will allow me to install an 8-32 thread...
... which will mate with the top portion of the string through ferrule.
Centerdrilling both sides. The one side...
... and the other side.
Drilling both sides (one side shown).
Blanks, ready to be threaded.
Threading the 8-32.
One done!
Drilling the large diameter to accept the ball end of the string
An operation not shown was a another clearance angle I put down inside the hole that accepts the ball end of the string. This will allow the part of the string the wraps around the ball to have a smooth transition going into the hole.
If I didn't put that in there, there's a good chance the string would break on that edge. You can see it in the following two pics if you look really hard:
Finished ferrule bottom part, ready to accept the ball end of the string.
Another angle.
String through the body ferrules, continued
PART DUEX:
Top section - The actual part that will be installed in the top of the body where the string will exit.
Obviously a blank piece of brass is the starting point.
Centerdrilling each side as before.
Drilling.
Tapping with the matching 8-32 thread for the upper section.
Test fitting the 2 parts together.
Stepping down the portion that will go into the body.
Again, stepping down the portion that will go into the body.
Now flipping it and adding a nice decorative radius to the outside.
Here, I'm adding the radius into the opening that the string will exit which will once again, eliminate any sharp edges that could break the string.
Close ups of the part.
Another close up.
Final fitting and all is well!
Another angle.
Done with all 6 ferrules!
Questions
How long was the total machining process?
You're looking at about 3-4 hours but I wasn't treating it like a money maker :-)
I think we're all ready for the "Budman Floyd Rose".
Believe it or not, I've actually played with the idea of this, who knows!