Qty

1 PN F49529 Square tubing* 1 1/4" X 2" $0.53

1 PN 16X36sTL 5/16 X 16 thread X 6 12 threaded rod* $0.45

1 PN 52106 2" ID white PVC cap $0.99

1 PN 43160 Adapter DW 2" PVC X2 $3.29

1 PN51266 Felt blanket 6X18 $3.79

3 5/16 nuts $0.15 (total)

2 5/15 lock nuts $0.22 (total)

1 5/16 washer $0.06

1 fender washer with 5/16 ID $0.90

1 6" compression spring $1.67

Total: $12.05

All parts purchased at Ace hardware

 

 

* I purchased a 36" piece of square stock and a 36" piece of threaded bar. I figured the cost at a per inch cost. That's how I got $0.53 for the tubing and $0.45 for the threaded bar.

 

 

Tools used:

Grinding wheel

Drill press and vice

Disk sander

Dremel with a routing bit

Hand files

Exacto

Sharpie

Wrenches

Why did I build this?

Busing and knob puller

 

 

I built this because I'm too cheep to buy one from Stew-Mac. If you are interested you can get one here for $34.95 plus shipping.

 

There's looks nice and will do the job. However, mine is made with a tension spring to keep everything all tight and nice.

 

 

Instructions

 

 

Step one:

Cut yourself a piece of threaded bar stock that's 6 1//2" in length. Smooth the ends with a file, grinding wheel or sander

Step two:

Thread one standard 5/16 nut onto the threaded bar and follow that with a locking nut. The top of the standard nut should measure 2 1/2" from the end of the threaded bar. Once you have that, tighten the two nuts together. it should look like this:

Note: For now you can set the threaded bar stock aside.

Step three:

Cut a 2" piece of the square bar stock. When you have that cut you should take it to a grinder or sander and square the edges. Your final length should be 1 1/2". Now drill a 5/16 hole in the top. It should be centered because you'll be using this hole to mount the square stock to the threaded bar. Once that's complete you need to make the cut out for the busing to fit into the square stock. First I drilled a hole in two adjoining sides and then I used my Dremel and a routing bit to cut out the cavity. When you are done it should look like these pictures. (note) all sharp edges should be ground smooth to avoid cuts)

Step Four:

Now that you have your busing box fabricated You should mount it to the threaded bar using one standard nut and one locking nut. When completed your threaded bar should look like this:

Step five:

Obtain your PVC cap. You'll need to flatten the top a bit so the fender washer will sit flat. For this I sanded it with my disk sander.

 

Caution: you don't want to sand too much or you'll make the top of the took too thin thus it will become weak. You just need enough for your washer to sit fairly flat. Once it's flat you should drill a 5/16 hole in the top center.

Step six:

After fitting the cap onto the top of the PVC tube you can get started on placing the felt on the bottom. The felt I used came with an adhesive on it already. I'll tell you that this stuff was extremely sticky and it adhered to the PVC nicely! Cut out a piece big enough that you can set the bottom of the fixture on it. Once that's done just use an exacto or razor blade and trim the felt. Leave enough to ride up on the outside edge. This will give more contact area for the felt. Complete the same step with the inside of the fixture. After this, do the same thing wiht the bottom of the square stock. it should be covered too since it will make contact with the guitar face. This helps to protect the finish of your guitar from being marred from the tool when you use it. Here are a few pictures of what it should look like:

You'll note in this picture that I glued the cap on with a little acrylic glue. The pressure of the pull will keep the cap on so you don't have to glue the cap on. I did it just to prevent the cap from getting lost if the tool gets moved in-between use.

Step Seven:

Let's put the tool together. Get your threaded bar and grab the standard washer and spring. Put the washer on the threaded bar and continue with the spring. It should look like this:

 

You'll notice that in this picture the spring extends past the threaded bar. This will help to keep tension on the bar when the took is in it's extended position. Yours should look the same:

Step Eight:

Place the threaded post into the tube and affix it to the tube by placing the fender washer over the threaded bar and then fix it with the standard nut. It should look like this when you are done:

 

Note: This is what it looks like in the extended position.

How to use the tool:

Step One:

Slightly turn the post to separate it from the anchor bushing. Then slide the slotted box between them. It should look like this:

 

Step two:

Turn the nut at the top of the tool clockwise until the tool seats on the guitar. Take time to make sure that it's seating as flat as possible on the face of the guitar. It should center it's self as much as possible.