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Those galvanized eye-bolts

Posted by Bill Powell on February 23, 2013 at 1:16pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Guys and gals, I am very new here, and will complete my first CBG today, if the soldering goes well. Haven't done it in 40 years.

I just wanted to say, though, that I am seeing a lot of zinc-coated or plated bolts and eyebolts being used as nuts and bridges. I think leaving them in the store-bought state conflicts with the old-time aesthetic that is one of the appeals, at least to me, of the instrument.

Therefore, can I suggest you strip the bright coating and fire-blue your nuts and eyebolts? You can do it with a propane torch or even in the fireplace. Just burn off the coating (in good ventilation, as zinc vapors are deadly!) and then drop the hot item in cold water to quench and split off the residue. I then carefully polish on a wire wheel and reheat slowly to blue, cool again and rub on some beeswax while the metal is still warm.

You can go one better if you can heat to red then hammer out the curve of the U-hook or eyebolt, taper it, the scroll it. All you need for this is a heat source, tongs or Vise-grip, ball peen hammer and a hard surface -- anvil or piece or railroad track.

Here is the bridge I made yesterday, and the nut, cut from a large spike and heat blued:

[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/BillOregon/IMG_0010_zps70999e7f.jpg[/IMG]

Respectfully yours, Bill

IMG_0010.JPG

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Replies

  • Randy S. Bretz February 24, 2013 at 7:54am

    The  best of both worlds....Bone Bolt 305978336?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

    • Bill Powell > Randy S. Bretz February 24, 2013 at 11:50am

      Heh, that's bad to the bone!

  • the anonymous pick February 24, 2013 at 7:47am

    looks cool ,

  • Wade February 23, 2013 at 3:05pm

    Those standard eye bolts are like PT Cruisers. The first couple hundred times you see them you say "Thats cool!" After you see your millionth you kind of look right past it or maybe even "yawn". Have to give you credit. You gave that eye bolt some real character!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Wade

    • Bill Powell > Wade February 23, 2013 at 3:57pm

      Thanks guys. I actually have a hammer and two forges, so like to mash up my metal a bit when I get the chance. I put my CBG together about an hour ago, and the tone is incredible and the sustains seem to go on forever. Wish I could play the thing ...

      :-)

  • The Phrygian Kid February 23, 2013 at 2:40pm
    Nice one. Personally for all that effort I'd just carve one from hardwood and or bone.
  • BrianQ. February 23, 2013 at 1:36pm

    Hardware store bought bolts are old time asthetic, old time players didn't patina their parts on purpose they got that way from extended handling/playing,plus it's how they come these days,unless u can find some old recycled bolts.There's no rules in CBGs,It's a freeform art.to each his own

    • Bill Powell > BrianQ. February 23, 2013 at 2:29pm

      Brian, agree, although you would have been more likely to find uncoated 100 years ago. I was somehow thinking of the old Depression-era skill of making twig furniture using fire blued nails scrounged from the sites of burnt-down buildings. Seems "all of one piece" to me, if you get my drift.

This reply was deleted.