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I am wanting to start making my own tuner buttons for Gotoh 510s. LMI sells some, but the choice of woods is limited. So, any one out there making there own tuner buttons? Care to share how you do it?

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

Isn't there a tutorial on this?

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Burton shows how he makes his here:

viewtopic.php?p=393555#p393555

cheers

Burton's thread is great. But I would like to see how people are shaping the outside of the button (by hand, routing, sanding, etc) and how people without a milling machine are approaching the hole for the post.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

I assume you've seen Chris Paulicks couple of videos in tutorials... might help. (or PM him)
I think the 510 buttons would be tricky ... they're so "organic". Maybe shape a stick for the outside convex first, then chop into pieces, locate in a pocket jig & centerdrill. I like Burtons pattern route for the profile, but the already shaped convex may bugger you.

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Dave
Milton, ON

I've thought a lot about the 510 buttons - and don't have any easy answers. You can tell that some people who copy them take the easy way out and don't do all the edges the same. Still look pretty good, but they aren't quite as "organic" as Dave says.

I personally wouldn't attempt the mounting holes without a mill. It has to be so right to not feel sloppy, especially on the 510's where there is no glue. Not saying it can't be done but I doubt highly it could be repeated consistently.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

Bill Wise at Charis guitars use to offer wooden 510 buttons in a wide variety of woods, but I just checked his site and I no longer see any information on them. If you look at his guitars you can see his custom engraved wooden 510 buttons that he has made for his own use. They are very well done.

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Mike Baranik CNCs them.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Burton, how do you shape the outside of your buttons?

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

I made this up a while ago and I think the pics help more than an explanantion-

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/b ... 20buttons/

Basically, the outside shapes are pattern routed. Everything indexes off of the hole to keep it centered. You could do most of the 510 this way and even get the basic curve done (like I do on my sander with the swivel) but there is some more detailed rounding near where the button mounts on the shaft that would have to be done by hand (or CNC), in my opinion.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.