I have been sent an ODE rim from the days of yore or thereabouts, by someone who wants me to make a neck for it. It also needs all the hardware, as it's just a plain rim. The holes in the rim for the shoe bolts are quite small, and fit a #8 machine screw nicely, but a #10 or 12 are too big. I'm wondering if anyone knows of shoes that are sold with a #8 screw, or failing that, how feasible or appropriate it is to drill the holes to a larger size. I have never worked with cast aluminum, so I don't know what is a good idea or not. I'll be very grateful for any advice.
If I were you, I would enlarge the holes with a hand drill to accept 12-24 screws. Drilling the larger holes in the cast rim should be easy. Below is a link to an Ode Banjo Parts website that sells inexpensive, good-looking ball shoes with 12-24 mounting threads. The site is operated by the son of Charlie Ogsbury, who started the Ode banjo business.
Thanks for the advice. I get all my bracket hardware from ODE now, and have for more than two years. It's great quality and pricing. The customer wants nickel plated, or did last I knew, so it will have to come from somewhere else. Thank you very much.
The original hardware was made by Elton, long out of business, and was chrome plated. The brass Ode hardware will need to be sent out to match.
I don't think originality is an issue with this project. Just quality.
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