DIY convert PRS SE tuners to locking tuners

ThePod said:
Experimenting here with a lower profile "stealth" locking screw. Didn't have any black screws on hand, so these will do for now. They are the same M3 screws with 6mm thread length. I haven't yet had any issues with shearing off the smaller strings due to the way I had to drill and tap the screws. These are size 9 strings.

IMG_20200426_144157891

IMG_20200426_144211261

IMG_20200426_144222280

IMG_20200426_144227815
Click to expand...

That looks great! I wouldn't even worry about having slots on the heads. I find that hand tight works fine.
 
What is the purpose of the slots on the thumb screws? Surely you don't need to use a flathead screwdriver to tighten them down. It was a main reason I did not go with the PRS brand locking tuners (just big and clunky looking).
 
pgj said:
What is the purpose of the slots on the thumb screws? Surely you don't need to use a flathead screwdriver to tighten them down. It was a main reason I did not go with the PRS brand locking tuners (just big and clunky looking).
Click to expand...

PRS say you can use a coin to further tighten, but they say no more than 1/8th of a turn. I find they lock just fine hand tight and that makes it easier for string changes.

https://www.prsguitars.com/index.php/support/article/phase_locking_tuners
 
BTW, You can buy the actual PRS locking thumbscrews online for $22. Only issue being that the few places that specify a size say they are M3.5-0.6.

Part Number
ACC-4349
 
Antmax said:
BTW, You can buy the actual PRS locking thumbscrews online for $22. Only issue being that the few places that specify a size say they are M3.5-0.6.

Part Number
ACC-4349
Click to expand...


The sites I have found say M3 x 0.5 for the Phase I (metric) tuners and 4-40 for the American tuners.
I can't find anything for the phase II/III tuners, so you may be right on with those.
The screws I sourced are 10 for $8, way cheaper than the PRS ones, but perhaps not as beautiful.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-Winged...680049?hash=item25ea89a871:g:PXYAAOSwyjBW8Uq2

https://www.johnmannsguitarvault.co...ase-I-Tuner-Thumb-Screws-Metric-x42807283.htm

https://www.johnmannsguitarvault.co...S-Phase-I-Tuner-Thumb-Screws-US-x48946585.htm
 
ThePod said:
Found some smaller thumb screws on Ebay and used 'em. These are the same diameter as the PRS ones.

IMG_20200507_184648658 by ThePod, on Flickr

IMG_20200507_184626424 by ThePod, on Flickr

IMG_20200507_184638634 by ThePod, on Flickr

IMG_20200507_184648658 by ThePod, on Flickr
Click to expand...

I like the smaller size a lot better. Any chance of sharing the ebay link. I might get some of those myself. Not sure I'm brave enough to actually do the mod, but I do have a pillar drill in the garage and REALLY like what you did there :)
 
Antmax said:
I like the smaller size a lot better. Any chance of sharing the ebay link. I might get some of those myself. Not sure I'm brave enough to actually do the mod, but I do have a pillar drill in the garage and REALLY like what you did there :)
Click to expand...

Thank you. I think they look better too! Here's the link
https://www.ebay.com/itm/M3x-5-Slot...969783?hash=item1a1070ae37:g:QNEAAOSwFnFWFJxe

A little note. I went full geek on these and knocked off about 1.5 mm of the thread and then fully cut threads in the remainder of the shaft near the head. If you don't do this they will stick up a about 1.5mm higher than shown in the pictures. They work just fine, but since I was already waaaaay down the rabbit hole, I figured the hell with it, might as well go even further.

Here's another option that does not require full geekery.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/M2-M2-5-M3...hash=item2cf9d9be0e:m:mQL5UPIiaAoLs77wJWjNrHw

If you care to search on ebay for other options. Search "M3 thumbscrew" and have fun scrolling through pages of tiny screw options.
 
Ran across this thread and had to see if I could do it also. Just finished a set of Julian deluxe tuners. One or two slightly off centered drill holes, but overall a success. Thanks for the tutorial! Nice to have a trick in the bag like this one. Happy drilling to all.
 
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