Technique for making pedal rods.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 4 May 2006 5:08 am

Need to make some pedal rods. Before I just start chucking metal in the vice and bending it, I thought I would ask for some advice from some of you who have made them for a good way to make the "hook" on the end. Do you use heat? What kind of rod is best to use? Things like that.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 4 May 2006 6:50 am

I've found the hook on the end, especially the shape of the vertex, to be important. Too round and the darn hook jumps out of the bellcrank if I bump the pedal the wrong way.

Scoot the guitar sideways and all the rods fall out... embarassing...

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 4 May 2006 7:18 am

Bill, I have a piece of steel keystock about 3/4" X 3/4" X 3" (size not important). I drill a hole near the edge about 1/2" deep and a close fit for the rod, place this steel keystock tightly in a vice. Insert the end of the rod in the hole and pull pressure against the rod and while keeping pressure hit it as close to the bend as possible until it is past a 90 degree angle, then you can take it out of the keystock, use a hammer to complete the bend. Then dress it up on a bench grinder, then a polish wheel. I use stainless steel rod for making the pull rods.
Jerry

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 4 May 2006 4:38 pm

Leon used Brass welding rods on mine I like them,and they are easy to work with,look nice.Never fall out.

ernie

Rodney Garrison · Post by **Rodney Garrison** » 4 May 2006 5:20 pm

There are small benders on the market for crafters that will handle up to 3/16 steel rods. Very simple and not too pricey. Even a tube bender from Eastwood Auto would work.

Colby Tipton · Post by **Colby Tipton** » 5 May 2006 2:32 pm

A metal break will work well, it will bend the rod at a sharp angle. It will need to break a little more than 90 degrees. Just my 2 cents worth of input.