Official Luthiers Forum!

Where did you find the 1/2" t nut to screw the 1/2" bar into the base, or how did you do it without the nut?

t-nuts work and i think they may be available from woodworkers supply but one can simply use a nut either side of your ply. but why use 1/2" all thread? that is over kill. 1/4" ir 5/16" is fine, and put conduit over the rods. it protects the wood from dings by the threads.

I think I used 3/8", but put mine together just like Michael said. Countersink the nut on the bottom. Works great.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

[QUOTE=old man] I think I used 3/8", but put mine together just like Michael said. Countersink the nut on the bottom. Works great.

Ron[/QUOTE]

This what I did as well on my first. If you use MDF don't counter-sink any deeper than needed for nut clearance and use aluminum tubing around the all thread to protect from bumping your work aginst the threads. I c-sunk mine too deep the fist co round and the pulled through after a year of use. I built my second with birch ply. Much better for just a bit more money.

Good point, Michael.   Actually my base is a heavy 3 layers thick: mdf, 3/4 ply, mdf. My top is two layers, mdf and 3/4 ply. I also used conduit, and left my all-thread about 10" long above the top in case I ever need to raise the ceiling.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Thanks Michael and everyone. I was following materials and instructions for Stu/Mac model. None here have 1/2 t-nut so I will take rods back and exchange for 3/8.