Tuning Pegs Tuned

... Tuning pegs are made of Ebony wood and come over sized on the shank (that we will now taper more) and too long (that we will now cut down to proper length.
...The first step is to cut the tuning peg to its proper finished length. For a full sized violin, the 'shoulder' of the peg is to stick out 0.50" from the side of the peg box. To this length, add the thickness of the peg box where this particular peg will be installed. Adding these two together will be the finished length of that tuning peg from the shoulder (the decorative turned shape that ends the taper of the shaft, at the start of the peg head section).
...Cut the new peg off squarely with a small hand saw to this length.

...The next step is to ream the peg box with your sharp reamer (30 to 1 taper) until the peg is seated until the small end is 0.15" from reaching the far side. Stop as you have correctly fitted your peg and it is now tuned to its' string. When you put some peg dope on the peg and actually tighten it with the string wound around it, it will begin to work its' way into the peg box more, and in a few months will be just even with the far side, the ideal situation.
..There is some real gain to be had by tap tuning each tuning peg so that a tap directly in from the end will produce a tap tone of 198 HZ.
Please see other areas to see how this is done. (2017)

...With a sharp knife, cut into the wood all around the shoulder before shaping the peg taper. This will prevent the wood splintering at the junction with the shoulder during the peg-taper shaving operation.

...Here I am using my peg reamer burnisher (same shape as peg reamer but with no teeth) to set the exact 30 to 1 taper on the peg cutter. This angle must exactly match your reamer angle for successful peg joints.

... Here are two tricks when using a peg reamer:
only turn the pegs in the direction that sharpens them, even when freeing the peg to pull it out of the shaper. This will keep the blade from being dulled.
... Secondly take a small cut at one time, remove the peg and then tighten down the adjusting (top) screw slightly (say 1/4 turn) and then again turn the peg into the tool (clockwise). Stop cutting when the cutting (scraping) blade comes in contact with the shoulder of the peg. Re-cut along the shoulder of the peg with your sharp knife occasionally to keep the cut just deeper than the shaving depth to prevent chipping the finish collar of the tuning peg.

...When the tap is correct, rub the end of the peg against your pant leg to polish up the wood that will show to the outside of the peg box.
...Drill the string holes in what will be the center of the peg when it finally is seated properly, for each tuning peg.
...# 51 (numbered) drill for the G-D-A string pegs and
# 52 (numbered drill set) for the E string peg. are what I use.