Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi guys-

I had asked another experienced member about how to improve the functioning of the Schaller classical tuners a while back. This is the PM I got back:

"There was an article I read a few years ago about some ways to improve the performance of those Schaller tuners. One thing I remember is that the plastic roller has some play on the metal shaft inside it, and the advice was to drill a small hole (like 1/16") through the plastic and into the metal, and then put a 1/16" (or whatever drill size you used) pin in the hole and file it flush with the surface of the plastic roller. This locks the two together and eliminates that play.

The other tips were probably about lubrication. I use TriFlow (available in bike shops) on the gears, and graphite in the holes where the plastic bears on wood."

I just found what I think is the article he mentioned above. Here it is:

"A few years ago, fine classic maker John Gilbert gave us several tips to improve Schaller tuners. These tips can be applied to many classic machines, since the problems he solves are not unique to Schaller tuners: John takes the machines apart and lightly peens the inside of the pinion gear around the mandrel of the barrel. This removes the play (which causes backlash) in the tuner as it comes from the factory. Using wire such as coat-hanger wire, he drills and pins the plastic sleeve onto the shaft of the barrel. (The sleeves have been known to come loose if not crack, a problem for many tuners, not just Schallers). These extra steps, he relates, save a lot of frustration and make the Schallers an excellent working machine, especially for the price."

I have a question - can anyone explain this to me, "... takes the machines apart and lightly peens the inside of the pinion gear around the mandrel of the barrel." ? What is the pinion gear and the mandrel of the barrel? How do you do this? I understand about how to pin the plastic sleeve to the shaft.

Thanks-

_________________
John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

John: Not really familiar with classical tuners but think they use a worm and worm wheel rather then a gear and pinion . Pinion usually is the smaller gear of a gear set.So they may be speaking of the worm and the " mandral" as the shaft it is mounted on. Sounds like they are trying to tighten the fit between two mating parts. Worm and shaft or wormwheel and shaft. This may only add confusion to the problem,but hope not. Also be careful with any peening you do so as not to bend shaft or mar teeth faces . Good luck.

_________________
A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

John try posting this at the Classical Guitar forum delcamp.net. You might get more responses.

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

I just joined that forum and posted my original message there. It looks like mostly players there, and not luthiers, but I may get lucky. Either way, it's a nice place to hang out and talk about guitars.

Thanks for the responses guys-

_________________
John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds