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Author Topic:  Best way to shorten steel legs
Gordy Rex


From:
Southport, NC
Post  Posted 9 Nov 2017 12:33 pm    
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what is the best way to shorten the legs.. My Emmons has two different size legs I would like them to match and also I would like to shorten the guitar height by about a half inch.....
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Gordy Rex
Current guitar '78 Rosewood Emmons PP 8 X 6, La Grande II..8X8...
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John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 9 Nov 2017 2:40 pm    
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Drill holes in the floor.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 9 Nov 2017 2:52 pm    
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Stick a rod or dowel up into the leg long enough to drive out the plug in the upper end and cut off what you need. Then reinstall the plug and you're ready to go. Very Happy
Erv
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Bob Hoffnar


From:
Austin, Tx
Post  Posted 9 Nov 2017 3:34 pm    
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Erv's way is the best. To cut the other end you need to rethread. You made need to cut down the insert rod too.

It's pretty easy if you have the tools handy.

You are talking about the rear legs right ? Changing the front legs means you will need to deal with the changer rods.
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colin mcintosh

 

From:
Australia
Post  Posted 9 Nov 2017 3:43 pm    
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I needed to do the same with my steel. Buy a tube cutter, the type plumbers use. It will do a neat professional job.
As far as knocking the insert out, I used a long socket extension bar but any bar or pipe will do. The trick is to hold the leg in one hand and hammer the insert out. This saves any damage to the leg from trying to clamp it.
When reinstalling the insert,place the threaded end of the leg on a piece of pine 2x4" and a 1/2" drive socket large enough to fit over the threaded end of the insert so that the face of the socket sits on the flange of the insert and hammer away.
Clear as mud.


Last edited by colin mcintosh on 9 Nov 2017 3:44 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Ron Hogan

 

From:
Nashville, TN, usa
Post  Posted 9 Nov 2017 3:43 pm    
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Gordy,
I extended my steel guitar seat legs by a couple inches vs. changing the steel legs themselves. Since my post below, I've added the bolt through the extension piece rather then the seat legs. The seat legs nest into the extensions. My steel is now very comfortable to play.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=317561&highlight=
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Russell Adkins

 

From:
Louisiana, USA
Post  Posted 9 Nov 2017 4:20 pm    
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get a 12 inch CHOP SAW or a hacksaw both will work pretty good , then you can make them as short as you like lol a little humor there lol
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Gordy Rex


From:
Southport, NC
Post  Posted 10 Nov 2017 4:41 am    
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thanks guys for the advise.. I have the tools listed ( including a chop saw lol ) and I think I'll give it a try....
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Gordy Rex
Current guitar '78 Rosewood Emmons PP 8 X 6, La Grande II..8X8...
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Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 10 Nov 2017 8:19 am    
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If the threaded plugs won't budge in your attempt to drive them out, heating the leg around them with a torch sometimes helps.
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Paul Norman

 

From:
Washington, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2017 11:52 am    
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put nuts on the threads before you hit them to reinstall to keep from flattening out the end. Leave a little bit of the nut over the threads.
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Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2017 12:26 pm    
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Use a press if possible
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Willie Sims

 

From:
PADUCAH, KY, USA
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2017 1:21 pm    
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If you are cutting less than one inch off the leg, use a tubing cutter, before you try to remove the threaded plug. Cut around the leg with a tubing cutter, cut the part of the leg next to the plug with a chisel. Expand the piece and takeoff of the plug, now take a socket that will fit over the threaded plug, and hold it in place and hammer it down on the VIce. You could use a dreamle tool, be sure you drive the plug, flush to the leg. Don't use anything but your hands a round the leg to drive the plug back in to the leg. Be sure to use a tubing cutter and not a pipe cutter. I have done this many times over the past 91 years. Willie SIMS
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Charlie Hansen


From:
Halifax, NS Canada and Various Southern Towns.
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2017 4:44 pm    
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Here a video on the subject.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L8vJgEhp3eA
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Tony Glassman


From:
The Great Northwest
Post  Posted 14 Nov 2017 6:23 pm    
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I agree with Jim and Colin. Torch, pipe-cutter and deep socket to shorten the front legs. For the rear legs, I've always gotten away with just cutting the desired amount off the "skinny" tube using the pipe-cutter.

The pipe-cutter leaves a nice finished edge compared to a saw cut. A quick touch-up with a de-burring tool on the I.D. and it's ready for the plug to be reinserted.

I also use a thin film of soap instead of oil to help slide the plug in. It dries up after an hour or so. I'd be worried that trapped oil might cause plug slippage at some point.
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Gordy Rex


From:
Southport, NC
Post  Posted 15 Nov 2017 3:58 pm    
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thanks everyone for the advise the job is finished and was much easier then I thought...
The video was helpful but, I did use an old deep well socket to tap the insert back in...

Thanks again
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Gordy Rex
Current guitar '78 Rosewood Emmons PP 8 X 6, La Grande II..8X8...
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J R Rose

 

From:
Keota, Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 15 Nov 2017 5:23 pm    
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The best and most practical way is just to buy a new set of lite weight legs the length you want. Glen Porter here on the Forum makes them. J.R.
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