Aluminum Keyheads

Solid Body Steels, Reso, Weissenborn...
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na4it
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:26 pm

Aluminum Keyheads

Post by na4it »

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 Duckworth
E6 Rogue lap steel, D6 Regal RD-30MS squareneck reso-guitar,
Li'l Izzy, Zoom MS-50G Effects Pedal into a Berhinger mixer and Harbinger V2112 speaker(s).

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Bent
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Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:10 pm
Location: Ontario Canada
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Re: Aluminum Keyheads

Post by Bent »

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
http://benrom.com/
21 BenRom pedal steel guitars, a Nash 112 and a 1967 TOS Milling machine with many cutters making one hell of a mess on the floor.
na4it
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:26 pm

Re: Aluminum Keyheads

Post by na4it »

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 Duckworth
E6 Rogue lap steel, D6 Regal RD-30MS squareneck reso-guitar,
Li'l Izzy, Zoom MS-50G Effects Pedal into a Berhinger mixer and Harbinger V2112 speaker(s).

Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
Bent
Posts: 1397
Joined: Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:10 pm
Location: Ontario Canada
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Re: Aluminum Keyheads

Post by Bent »

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.
http://benrom.com/
21 BenRom pedal steel guitars, a Nash 112 and a 1967 TOS Milling machine with many cutters making one hell of a mess on the floor.
bluesteel
Posts: 127
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:58 am

Re: Aluminum Keyheads

Post by bluesteel »

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
Roy
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 4:42 am

Re: Aluminum Keyheads

Post by Roy »

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.
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