Spider dilemma

[lexluthier]

Hiya!
While finishing off all the many details on my Regal RD-52 that they decided not to bother with at the factory, I've managed to do that thing that everyone giving advice on the subject says to be careful not to do, IE, bust a leg off the spider bridge!
Despite the advice and a lot of caution and patience, it was remarkably easy to break while just trying to straighten out the deviation in the casting. In my own defense I have to say the casting was very rough and granular in that area compared with how smooth the rest looked.
Anyhow, you live and learn and I need another.
So my dilemma is that although I understand and deeply advocate the need for quality in guitar components, I'm wondering just how much difference there is going to be between these,

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-SPIDER-FOR-RESONATOR-GUITAR-DOBRO-SPIDER-/151693799838?hash=item2351a7b19e:g:ky4AAOSwZd1VZGI8

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-dobro-style-acoustic-resonator-guitar-alloy-spider-bridge-to-fit-263mm-cone-/161855115753?hash=item25af5111e9:g:t7IAAOSwl9BWGrIj

...or a Beard No.14 at around £65?

While I wouldn't dream of buying a cheap cone as they need to be spun correctly and made of the 'right stuff', I do wonder just how much difference there will actually be between these bridges.
Anyone out there who has any thoughts or experience on the matter will have their replies gratefully received!

Thanks, Chris.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

I would say the Korean spider is a definite 'no', the spider available from Nottingham might be okay, and the Beard No14 will be excellent.

To get all the spider's legs sitting properly on the cone, don't try and bend the legs as they will just snap. fix sandpaper to a table top and flatten off all the legs so they all make contact with the table top. A little bit of smoothing the rough casting is worth doing too.

I hope that is helpful

Shine On
Michael

[lexluthier]

That is helpful thank you Michael.
Not a rich fellow so try not to spend money when there's no need but I will go for the Beard, quality assured!
Good advice on sanding, already made up my mind to go down that path next time and should have listen to my own instincts the first time around!
I was going to(and will) cut a 200mm hole in an old piece of kitchen work top, adhere abrasive paper around the hole and use this to flatten the end of the legs as they are actually the only part that needs to be on an even plane, a lot less sanding too if that makes sense!

Thanks again
Chris

[Michael Messer]

My pleasure Chris. You won't need to cut a hole in a table as the spider legs are not flat, they are angled so only the ends touch the table top

Shine On
Michael

[lexluthier]

Well that's a very interesting piece of information, the ex-spider bridge in question rested on its center if sat on a flat surface! Perhaps a serendipitous breakage!
It does make me wonder about the supposed quality of the Quarterman cone fitted on this guitar too!

Thanks again,
Chris