Changer Layout

[engraver25]

Working on my first changer and don't know if I'm in the ball park or not.
For a trial, I cut them out of plastic on a laser and they seem to fit together and work ok.
Can anybody help on this. Also where can you find the micro rollers for the fingers?
The smallest I can find are .5".

Teddy

[Georg]

Cutout in light gray - lower - seems wrong, angled the wrong way and too small. Red - raise - will run into and engage light gray - lower - pretty early, limiting raise.

An example of small ball bearings here and you can continue your search on Amazon till you find a suitable size/variant.

[Storm Rosson]

I'm with George here , think you should make the whole finger 3/4" longer so as to get enuff leverage and travel for both raise and lower. If it's made longer u can increase the leverage ratio so the raises and lowers aren't stiff. Here's a link to all kinds o bearings in miniature...http://www.mcmaster.com/#ball-and-rolle ... gs/=dl5qxw ....Stormy

[richard37066]

Teddy -

Stormy has a very valid point which, I think, should be considered. My GFI measures approximately 4.25" overall at the changer. In comparing the GFI to other instruments, I do not consider it to be overly "tall" at the changer. Be mindful of the fact that, as you gain mechanical advantage at one point, the travel at another point will increase. As always, a compromise is in order.

In the link below, Buzz Evans is playing a Mullen. Yes, I know, it is difficult to determine dimensions from a photo or video but - to my eye - the Mullen seems to be much "fatter" than my GFI. This may well be due to a longer changer assembly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYCAkNx6nFg

As an aside, it would be well worth it to view the entire video as Buzz is one helluva steel player!

Respectfully,

Richard

[engraver25]

Hello Guys,

I really want to thank you for the reply. In looking at this thing I think I understand what you're saying.....I think. When the lower is pulled how much does the string finger move? See if this
drawing is any better. Hey I'm learning and having fun....

Teddy

[burt]

It might be a good idea to extend the bottom segment, to allow for a much longer lower return spring.

The longer the spring, the lighter the progressive action (on the knee lever), especially if it's doing a full-tone lower.

[Storm Rosson]

I think u nailed it Rich, I would prolly use a ball bearing on the scissor rivet also.....Stormy

[engraver25]

Thanks Burt,

Would have responded sooner but had too many projects going at once.
Guess its back to the drawing board.
You guys have helped a lot.

Teddy