Diggsblues
989 posts
Sep 11, 2011
5:30 PM
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I just realized one of my Golden Melodies has pins
I would like to put screws in their place.
Anybody know an easy way besides using drills and stuff.
Maybe self tapping screws?
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
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mandowhacker
88 posts
Sep 11, 2011
7:22 PM
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I had an old G that I send to chromatic blues to have a comb installed. He said it was one like yours, without screws, probably from around the eighties. He suggested a new harp.
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Just when I got a paddle, they added more water to the creek.
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arzajac
647 posts
Sep 11, 2011
7:56 PM
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Hi Emile.
I bought one from a forum member. I worked on it and putting it back together with the nails was not an option - the coverplates were too loose after I had taken them off.
But replacing the nails with screws is easy. I never used self-tapping screws but I tapped one side and drilled the other. I'm pretty sure I used M1.6 screws and tap and used 1/16th inch drill bit for the clearance hole on the other side.
I sanded the draw reed plate and put it all back together. I used a long M2 screw and a nut for either side of the coverplate. I had a few MS system coverplate screws but they were too short. I reckon the coverplate screws from another GM would work fine. You may need to drill a hole through-and-through the comb for the coverplate screw.
It looks funny with the nut and bolt but I don't care.
I guess what I'm saying is that the most complicated thing would be to try to avoid drilling and tapping. The drilling is done through holes that are already there.
It plays great. Mine was definitely worth the effort.
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Last Edited by on Sep 11, 2011 7:58 PM
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HarveyHarp
301 posts
Sep 11, 2011
8:49 PM
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Diggs, I use 56/64 drill bit to drill one side, and I use the old Big River reedplate screws, which are sort of self tapping to screw into the other. While you are at it, drill them the same way the the newer ones are, which is that not all screws go in from the same side. I do not know exactly why it works better, but it does. Rick Epping did a lot of research on GM Screw patterns, and I take faith in everything he says relating to Harmonicas.
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HarveyHarp
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groyster1
1393 posts
Sep 12, 2011
10:52 PM
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@arzajac
glad you were able to revive that old GM-dont like to send my old harps to the grave-recycle them!
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Diggsblues
995 posts
Sep 13, 2011
5:04 AM
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Thanks everybody. By the time I go out and buy a drill
and all that stuff I could buy a new harp.
It still plays and that amazes me. Maybe I'll just do some reed adjustment to see if I can make it play a little better.
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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barbequebob
1733 posts
Sep 13, 2011
7:49 AM
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What you can also do is get a small nail set and a small tack hammer and VERY VERY VERY GENTLY tap out the nail until the pointed end is flat level with the plate and then get a small slip joint pliers and gradually pry it out. I believe the correct screw to replace it with is either and 0-72 or 0-80. Use an EXTREMELY light amount of pressure with the hammer (don't bang it out from the butt end or that comb is toast) to make it work.
IF you have one with nails, it's likely one from the 70's (when they used aluminum nails), to the mid 80's (when they used brass escutcheon pins) or from a brief period in the mid 90's when they went bsack to the escutcheon pins.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
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nacoran
4596 posts
Sep 13, 2011
3:20 PM
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"By the time I go out and buy a drill and all that stuff I could buy a new harp."
But then you'll have a drill too! Or see if you can borrow one from a neighbor. That's why it's always good to be nice to your neighbors.
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Diggsblues
998 posts
Sep 15, 2011
7:30 AM
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Thanks BBq. Just watched the Rupert video they're 0-80
and the stainless steel are self tapping.
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
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