Steel Guitar Builder

Two questions re: Aluminum Keyheads... and thinking about the stepped solid keyheads.

1) If fabricating your own, what type of aluminum would be best?

or

2) Are they available as a "parts" item?

Thanks, Scott

Scott, If they are not cast, I believe the most widely used material is 6061T6 Aluminum
You usually get them from another builder with a mill. I have made keyheads for a few people

Thanks Bent. Just exploring what I need and how I want to do it. Depends mainly on funds! I was thinking about fabricating one myself with a block of aluminum and using a drill press, band saw, and of course files or Dremel. With an 8" x 8" block, I should be able to do two 8 string keyheads. Hard way to do it, but would be neat to see what I can do.

Again, thanks for the info!

Scott, that is entirely possible, with a bit of patience and elbow grease. An interesting point here would be to tell you that I made the bell cranks, KL brackets etc for steel # 2 and 3 with the table saw.

Scott, this is an old thread I know, but I have been able to make some perfectly serviceable keyhead "steps" and roller nut assembly for my lap steel from 1" square alloy bar. Its a sight less wastage than cutting it out of plate. I made the assembly as three separate parts, screwed together with recessed hex socket button head screws. I know this is overkill for a lap steel but I wanted to use it as a way of trying ideas out before building my first pedal steel - and it served to teach me some milling skills as well.

I can send pictures if you are interested.

Best, Will

Dear friends, I have just joined the forum and what an amazing 'place' - all the questions I've been trying to find out. This is my first !!
Where can I purchase 'aluminium key heads; in the UK or, if necessary, further afield.
I am building a 6 string lap steel with a Duesenberg multi bender and because of this, I need a roller nut for all the strings to be straight, with no friction and string breaks, hence the need for the alu. keyhead.
Please help,
Kind regards,
Roy.
PS. I live in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, UK.