iLuthier

If you can’t afford the big bucks for a floor-standing pedestal machine you can always make your own at a reasonable cost from hardware store parts. All you need is a pair of pillow blocks, a 5/8″ or 3/4″ shaft and a slide on, set screw type mandrel for the buffing wheels. You could also buy a simple self-contained arbor unit, such as the one pictured, from some stores. The arbor or pillow blocks can then be mounted to a work bench or a separate free-standing pedestal if you have one lying around.

If you have access to a welder, a length of large diameter pipe – say 4 to 6 inches – can be welded at each end to a pair of flat plate steel pieces for a makeshift stand. One of the steel plates can then be bolted to the floor while the other end can be drilled to receive the arbor or pillow blocks.

The unit can be powered from a 1/4 hp washing machine motor and a couple of pulleys (for instance a 2-1/2″ pulley on the motor and a 4″ or 6″ pulley on the shaft would be ideal).

It’s always worthwhile to remember to check out the occasional building site dumpster to see if anything useful can be found. After all, one builder’s trash is another instrument maker’s treasure.

Fuchs Plush FX Creme De La Trem Guitar Effects Pedal US $199.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:18:14 PST   | Watch this Item

Electro-Harmonix Holy Stain Guitar Multi Effects Pedal US $121.20 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:18:24 PST   | Watch this Item

DigiTech RP355 Multi-Effects Guitar Effect Pedal US $99.00 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:20:32 PST   | Watch this Item

Guitar Hero World Tour BASS DRUM PEDAL Xbox 360 Wii PS3 US $19.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:20:55 PST   | Watch this Item

MORLEY ECHO CHORUS VIBRATO PEDAL PINUP AD vtg guitar fx US $9.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:21:25 PST   | Watch this Item

D2F Cover for GFI SD-10 Keyless Pedal Steel Guitar (Single 10 w/Pad) US $44.95 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:21:50 PST   | Watch this Item

Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff Distortion Guitar Effect Pedal US $45.00 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:24:43 PST   | Watch this Item

Boss BF-2 Flanger Guitar Effect Pedal US $35.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:24:53 PST   | Watch this Item

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006 at 10:28 pm and is filed under Machinery. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.