Endplates

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 14 Mar 2006 2:29 pm

On most pedal steels, are the endplates cast?

Could you use aluminum channel if you could find the right size? Any ideas on where to find aluminum channel in the right size?

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Gary Shepherd

Carter D-10

www.16tracks.com

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 14 Mar 2006 3:01 pm

Gary I Would Say Aluminum On Most But Some are Not.Sho-Bud and Derby Are Aluminum. I Think I Know Sho-Bud Is.Bobbie Seymour Can Tell You More. SONNY.

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Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 14 Mar 2006 3:49 pm

Most new guitars are milled aluminum endplates.

Steven Black · Post by **Steven Black** » 15 Mar 2006 5:15 pm

Most endplates are either cast which is becoming very expensive to do these days because you have to make custom molds, or they are milled done by a machine hopefully by plasma cutting which gives a much smoother cut, but not as expensive. casting an endplate is only reasonable if others are going in with you to have endplates made, even steel guitar necks are costing a lot to have casted.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 15 Mar 2006 5:37 pm

You could probably use aluminum channel, but due to the min/max ordering policies of most metal suppliers, the cost would be just as high as having them machined from plate, since you'd still have to have certain features (the "step", the inner front and back surfaces, leg threads, and the tuner hole) machined anyway.

I've always considered myself pretty handy, but I just don't have the time and machinery to scratch-build a pedal steel. Though I could make improvements over what's already available, "doing it myself" would take up too much time. There's many guys that devote their lives to that, and they do a pretty good job already.

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 16 Mar 2006 3:28 am

Could you use aluminum channel if you could find the right size?

Yes. Your design will determine the right size. You'll find that the endplate size will be determined by your changer mechanism dimensions. One size does NOT fit all.

Any ideas on where to find aluminum channel in the right size?

Yes. Go to www.google.com and enter aluminum channel

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 16 Mar 2006 6:48 am

About 30 years ago I decided I wanted to build my own steel. I am an engineer and had access to a machine shop. I designed it and started making parts, then one day I estimated how much it was going to cost to finish it, not counting my time, and it was considerably more than I could buy a good used steel for. It would have probably taken me a couple of years too. So I found a good used steel, bought it, and never looked back. I still have some of the parts laying around my shop as a reminder.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

[This message was edited by Darvin Willhoite on 16 March 2006 at 06:50 AM.]

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 16 Mar 2006 8:03 am

Mullen is way out front with their beautiful lightweight chrome plated steel endplates, my 12 yr old Mullen endplates shine like new,& never need more than a slight wipe with a towel, au

Gary Spaeth · Post by **Gary Spaeth** » 17 Mar 2006 5:36 am

go to ebay and do a search for aluminum channel and you'll find lots there. short cut-offs that are just about the right size for end plates. speedy metals is one seller and they'll custom cut. [This message was edited by Gary Spaeth on 17 March 2006 at 05:38 AM.]

Steven Black · Post by **Steven Black** » 17 Mar 2006 6:07 am

Try MetalsDepot.com, they also have the 3/4" solid square aluminum for the leg mounts at reasonable prices, if you do your own endplates.

Mark Vinbury · Post by **Mark Vinbury** » 17 Mar 2006 6:47 am

This place has a lot of Metal and CarbonFiber products and extrusions.
http://www.robotcombat.com/marketplace_metals.html

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 17 Mar 2006 12:14 pm

When you want cast end-plates you have to build a mold like Steven said.When I lived in Holland I found me a foundry that could pour me those plates for 10bucks each.The mold is not that difficult to build.You need a machineshop that can help you.That is the pricy part.That'll probably cost ya a bundle.I made my molds by hand.Took me more then 2 weeks.
But if you build you a steel yourself and when you are done it's sounding good and is a good instrument than you know that you have not done it for nothing.

P.S. If you use a cast you have to keep this in mind.There will always be a differance in measurements in those two plates.Not one of um is the same in size.

Ron

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[This message was edited by Ronald ! on 17 March 2006 at 12:18 PM.]