Bridge clamping question

[Dave Bagwill]

My suggestion was to get away from reaching inside at all - I think with toggle bolts you would still have to go in and retrieve the toggle, right?
The KMG clamp works fine for me, but I am thinking about building another offset soundhole instrument, and I don't really see any drawback to the threaded nylon washer or the tapping of the bridge plate.

[John Parchem]

My suggestion was to get away from reaching inside at all - I think with toggle bolts you would still have to go in and retrieve the toggle, right?
The KMG clamp works fine for me, but I am thinking about building another offset soundhole instrument, and I don't really see any drawback to the threaded nylon washer or the tapping of the bridge plate.

If you had toggle bolts you could shake them out of a sound port\hole once you unscrewed the bolts. Size wise I was worried about the size of the folded toggle. Is there one that its in a peg hole?

[Robert Hosmer]

OK, John, I see what you're sayin' now. Yeah, that would need to be pretty small to slip through a bridge pin hole. The smallest I've seen is threaded for 6-32, and those are still too big.


Interesting question, I'll help you search.

[Robert Hosmer]

Well, after some searching and phone calls, it seems the smallest toggle wing available is sized for the 1/8"bolt (6-32). Hole size to accomodate the wings would need to be 1/4", so that's out.

I've got some very small screws and nuts left over from other projects. 2-56, 1-72, even 0-80. Also got just about every tap and die to make something if needed.
Seems frustrating not to be able to find some smaller wings. Could probably make my own, but I suspect the issue is whether such a tiny wing will be able to withstand the clamping forces needed. The nut itself can only be so big, and the wings need to be affixed to the nut with a pin. My guess is the pin will give out before enough clamping force is acquired at the bridge.
Just my guess; I could be wrong.