If you buy tuner buttons from one of the parts suppliers and it specifies "square shaft" but your banjo has shaft with two flat sides and two half round sides, what is the correct way to proceed? Is there a way to drill out the square hole in the tuner button to slide over the half round sides of the shaft? Or should you file down the shaft to a square shape?

Thanks.

The Old Timer

I can win the attention of most any girl, wherever I may roam -- But singing and playing on a banjo alone, won't work against a trombone! Uncle Dave

Posted - 10/15/2009 :  11:15:55        

Im going to chime in and tell you to either see if they have the other size shaft of if they can fit them for you because when i did it........it took forever. I wont be doing it again.

Posted - 10/15/2009 :  11:25:24          

I heard from a builder, that he would heat the shaft of the tuner to where you can slide the button on, and it softens the plastic enough to mold it to the right shape. Proceed with caution.

Go down pickin'

Posted - 10/15/2009 :  14:36:05      

Heating sounds dangerous. File the rounded side flat.

Posted - 10/15/2009 :  16:17:56    

I've done it several times, but I usually file button, not the tuner shaft. Easier to do IMO, and you can always return the tuners to original. I found that a round chainsaw sharpening file is just the right size to fit into the button hole and file the half rounds. Going the other way, I've also shimmed the button hole to fit square shafted tuners, using wood, or epoxy putty! Whatever works!
BT

"Ya gotta get all them tunes in yer head"

Posted - 10/16/2009 :  03:16:29      

Adjust the buttons, not the tuner shaft. Much easier and as has been pointed out, easier to later convert back to original buttons.

Anthony Herner
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You have to practice even to be lousy -- Jack Benny

Edited by - rudykizuty on 10/16/2009 03:17:58

Posted - 10/16/2009 :  06:53:28      

Thank you for the advice on the chain saw file to enlarge the hole in the button.

I'll probably try that first.

The Old Timer

I can win the attention of most any girl, wherever I may roam -- But singing and playing on a banjo alone, won't work against a trombone! Uncle Dave

Posted - 10/17/2009 :  15:22:40          

A set of needle files at a place like Harbor Frieght or Northern Tools will do the trick for low $.

Kevin ( )=='=~

'Possum, It's what's for dinner . . ."

Posted - 10/17/2009 :  17:19:25            

When I fit antique buttons to modern tuners, I file the tuner--it's easier to replace the tuner than the button. For modern buttons on modern tuners, heat the shaft and reshape the hole.

Cheers,
ZEPP