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I wish I could say I was building a violin like Colin, but I am just installing violin tuners on a dulcimer and am wondering what is the proper method for final fitting of the tuners for a perfect fit and to keep them from slipping?

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John Ressler

No real way round it but a proper dimension tapered violin reamer. You could try (in some scrap first) sticking some strips of sandpaper to a spare peg and using that to ream the hole. A local violin maker might do the job for you cheaply as a one-off, but you will probably find that a reamer will be just as cheap.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

You'll need a reamer.
Suprisingly, they're called violin peg reamers! and are available at the big luthier supply houses.

Paired up with the reamer, there's also a peg-shaver (like a big pencil sharpener) which will cut exactly the same taper on to the peg as the reamer leaves in the hole. You may not need this though, as some pegs come pre-tapered to dimension.

I have the reamer and peg shaver - it looks like I have a decent fit - just wondering if there is any fine tuning that needs to be done beyond that. Or is that it and I'm trying to make it more difficult than it is.

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John Ressler

You can use a little peg paste on them if you like, it's cheap enough to try it.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

OK - thanks for the help

By the way Colin - that is a great looking violin - beautiful work.

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John Ressler