Violin peg tapering ream

[holzwurm]

I have a small violin peg which I want to use as a powder horn plug. Does aney one have a tapered reamer of the correct taper who would fit the peg to the horn? I don't know what degree the taper is. Be happy to pay shop rates for the job 

Jerry

[oldiemkr]

Could you just drill it a bit undersize and then wrap emery around it to make a kind of reamer?

If you have an extra one make a slit down the center of the shaft then place the paper or cloth in the slit. Let it stick out on just one side and you have a holder with just the right taper. Turn by hand or brace, it might work faster than you think.

[holzwurm]

great idea - thanks

[Cory Joe Stewart]

I have one that I got through a instrument maker supply store.  It is the exact taper of a standard fiddle peg.  Be glad to help.

Coryjoe

[Tim Crosby]

 How about using the tang of a file? Put it in the hole push and twist, go slow or you will split the tip.

 Tim C.

[Capt Mike]

I bought a tapered reamer at Sears for less than 10 dollars a long time ago. Till then, I just used the tang of a file as the gentleman said. It's a wee bit slower but actually, works just as good.

Capt Mike

[holzwurm]

thanks for all the offers and help. I step drilled the hole and am now working on it with a file tang. I used a tapered file for a while but was afraid I'd split the horn. A round file will screw right in like a . . . well, screw. Apparently the way they are cut makes them have a pattern that comes close to a screw thread.

I also tried using another peg with sand paper - didn't go so well 

The things you learn when you didn't even know what the question is.

many thanks

[B.Habermehl]

Grizzly, sells these reamers. If I'm not mistaken, Wood craft sells them too.  BJH

[LynnC]

Yep - sharpened file tang

[Paddlefoot]

Stewart Macdonald instrument supply or Luthiers Mercantile will have the ream for the hole as well as the shaver to taper the peg.

[okieboy]

 I may be a bit late on replying (just got back from Tennessee), but I don't like stopper plugs to be tapered. So, I would drill the pour hole to the size of the small end of the peg, then with a file "de-taper" the peg straight and a close fit. This is easier to do than tapering the hole.

[big AL]

use a round file, but dont screw it in , turn it the wrong way , like screwing it out while pushing it in.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Al, you beat me to it.  I'm lucky - I have a reamer that was my dad's.  It is about 4 1/2" long x 1/8" at tip and 5/16" at the handle.  The handle is a small Jacob's chuck.  Cuts like a dream and makes a nice long taper.
I've used fiddle pegs for stoppers lots of times, and currently have a favourite horn that uses one.  But the best horn plug is made from pine or spruce, or maybe basswood, poplar, or cottonwood.  It should be of a soft wood that will compress and expand.  They stay put in the horn much better than a hardwood peg, especially a peg of exotic wood like ebony or rosewood with their natural oils that work against you.  A soft peg will have less of a tendency to split the horn too.

[Jerry V Lape]

I have used a tapered plug, but no more.  They are just a wedge waiting for the opportunity to split the horn.  Snug but not forced fit straight plug of soft wood is the way for me.  Make the plug end  a little longer so it takes more to accidentally knock it out of the horn, like 1 1/2 to 2 inches.  Put just a little beeswax on the plug lip if you want to make it a bit sticky and more water proof.

[holzwurm]

Thanks to the suggestions - especially about the file tang. I step drilled the horn just a little to speed things up and then used a 12" file tang for the final fitting. Took me about an hour while watching TV. I've had this horn laying around the shop for more years than I can recall. It was a blanket pick-up from somewhere and I decided to used it in Kentucky this year rather than one of my brass powder jugs.

Also the tip about using wax will be useful - thanks for that too. The fit isn't violin tight - a good straight push sets the peg and a slight twist will pull it out. No hammer handed force at all. I have some nice brain tan I can cut a string keeper for the peg and attach it to the ring in the horn. Life is good!