kbiinde2 - Posted - 07/16/2026:  09:48:11

Can a tuner with the small alignment pin in the base be repaired.? I recently bought some tuners at a flea-market, and one has the pin broken off flush. When tuning it allows the tuner to rotate in the headstock.
If I can dis-assemble, I think I can replace with a small cutoff brad.. Ideas.?

martyjoe - Posted - 07/16/2026:  09:52:31

Maybe you could drill a small hole and pin it.

Owen - Posted - 07/16/2026:  10:39:25

I don't know itf it's comparable, but I've removed the clips from clip-on tuners and used JBWeld and small nails to attach the replacement J-hook mounts (?) fashioned from HDPE (?).  Both have held up for several years so far.

 

kbiinde2 - Posted - 07/16/2026:  11:01:20

Thanks for your replies, I'm guessing a brad at about 1/16th and cut to proper length might work.. really don't want to trash a decent tuner, but then again parts for the drawer.!

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/16/2026:  11:31:53

If there is a nut and washer that fastens into the tuner body FROM THE FRONT of the peghead, try tightening up that nut slowly and cautiously so you don't crush the finish and cause it to flake.



Keith tuners don't have a pin to hold them in place, and with repeated changes of the season affecting the wood in the peghead, the Keiths sometimes get loose enough that the entire tuner will rotate a bit in the peghead when you're using them with the stop engaged. This has happened to me. I GENTLY tighten up the nut on the face of the peghead until the tuner body ceases to rotate.



There are several brands of tuners in addition to Keiths that dispense with the pin that jabs into the back of the peghead.

Edited by - The Old Timer on 07/16/2026 11:32:11

Owen - Posted - 07/16/2026:  11:34:15

Oooops!!  

Culloden - Posted - 07/16/2026:  21:33:00

If you don't want to risk damaging the tuner by drilling to add a pin, you can get either neoprene or leather washers and put one between the tuner body and the back of the peghead. That would stop the tuner from rotating in the hole.

kbiinde2 - Posted - 07/23/2026:  03:57:19

I've taken a piece of adhesive sandpaper (220 grit) and folded it over, cut a circle to match the tuner barrel, and made a hole for the post. This gives a slightly rough surface to tighten the nut on the peghead. So far this has held nicely, maybe a "tip" to store away for another day ,!
Thanks for the replies.. kb

banjonz - Posted - 07/23/2026:  15:33:08

Don't push the pin inwards into the housing. It can jam on the small planetary gears inside. It the tuners are the cheapy Chinese made ones, you may be able to unscrew the top of the barrel. This I have done.

steve davis - Posted - 07/26/2026:  06:50:31

Scratch the tuner's contacting surface with a small file.