Hi Jon: I have never had that kind of problem when it comes to pegs. Understanding that pegs are generally not turned from wood where growth ring run out is an issue to much of a degree. I believe most of the problems come from the relationship between the peg and the hole not being perfect, and or the wood for the peg/pegs is not one of the previously mentioned species. If the relationship between the peg and the hole is not based upon woods of similar properties then the natural expansion and contraction of wood over the passage of normal year is going to be dissimilar. This can cause one of two things to happen, the pegs will become overly tight and become difficult to turn, or they can become loose and slip a great deal. As has been pointed out earlier the use of Ebony for pegs can actually grind the holes for the pegs larger and in some cases make them elliptical. However, regardless of why and how this happens it is one of the several annoying traits common with owning, and trying to play, the Lute. The better the marriage between pegs and peg box in both cut and compatible materials will go a long way in lessening these problems.
Vance Wood. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jon Murphy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Herbert Ward" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Steve Ramey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 9:48 PM Subject: Re: Do pegs get smooth and begin slipping? > Steve, > > You mention the way a log shrinks. You are right. Along with fussing with > instruments I also am a wood turner. No matter how well dried wood will have > a differential shrinkage until it becomes part of the Petrified Forest. It > is just a matter of how much and in which direction. A tree is made of the > heart wood (the early growth, which normally is of a different color in the > cross section). The heart wood is a bit brittle. Then you have the annual > growth, with the youngest and most moist on the outside. But no mattter the > place you cut the log the rings will always have a curve. The most stable > wood is what is called "quarter sawn", the arc of the annuallar rings is > less than near the center, and the wood is older than that near the surface. > > I'll not go further unless anyone wants me to. One learns a lot about wood > when turning bowls, goblets and other sorts of things. > > Best, Jon > > >
