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Comment by QGolden on April 3, 2019 at 2:29pm

Thank you again.  I am lucky enough to have a Wood Lathe, that will help with the wheel, thank you for the tip on “burning” the wheel. 

Comment by Mark C on April 3, 2019 at 3:00am

I liked the look of violin pegs, but you could certainly use something else.

I've experimented with metal and nylon. I prefer nylon. there's enough potential for harshness and nylon seemed to have a softer, more pleasant effect.

Wheel was from a sheet of plywood cut with a 4" hole saw, though I recommend 5" or 6" as you don't have to turn the wheel as fast. I put a bolt and nut through it and tightened it. I then put it in my drill press, turned it on and used sandpaper to get it smooth as possible. Lastly, I used fine steel wool pressed firmly as the wheel was spinning, so much so that it slight burned  or carbonized the wheel making it very smooth and the friction heat hardened the smooth surface.

The fine tuners helped. Better, more modern gear tuners would make these unnecessary.

Comment by QGolden on April 2, 2019 at 2:59pm

Thank you for the detailed answer.  I am thinking a Diatonic version, in D, similar to the Medieval  Symphonies.  ‘Twould simplify it a bit.  I do like 4 strings though,  I am also thinking that guitar tuners, or even Piano Pins would be easier than Pegs. 

What did you use for strings?

What did you make the wheel from? 

Are the fine tuners on the Tail effective enough to counter the tuning pegs? 

Comment by Mark C on April 2, 2019 at 4:14am

it is playable, but I might go simpler next time. e.g., one melody, one drone, and maybe straight G scale with no sharps/flats, etc.. There's a lot going on. You have to really tweak it a lot. tuning, tension adjust (too much string/wheel tension and it sounds like a swarm of bees attacking a cat, too little tension produces no sound. I used screws to raise/lower strings to adjust contact with wheel) , resin on the wheel, keeping fingers (oil) from touching the wheel, being able to adjust the tangents so notes aren't sharp or flat, being able to tune one string at a time, etc. A flat top fiddle case would be easier than the bowed variety, but most of those are home made.

Good luck. hit me up with additional questions

Comment by QGolden on April 2, 2019 at 3:53am

Wow, this is a very good build.  I just procured an old fiddle case that is very similar to yours.  What did you make the wheel out of?  In general, do you feel that it is playable?  I really like your hand wheel too!  That was a find!