Personally I like the biggest one that I can find. I've seen them in the 12" to 16" range that make nice instruments. As far as a cheap source, I can't really...
Check the ebay listings. I bought a very nice 10 1/2" gourd thru some place in the Carolinas. Very reasonable & it looks like it will do the job. I have it cut...
I just finished building a gourd banjo. You can read the details here: http://www.thekimerers.com/brian/gourd/index.shtml I bought a box of canteen gourds from...
Hi , I am looking for just the square inner tone ring for an 11" pot for an experiment , does not have to be perfect , can you help ? Kazan xcr40x@......
Assuming it is an 11" head. Stew-Mac has them in medium and low crown for archtop banjos. Elderly has the low in stock and FQMS has medium and low crown sizes...
Hi all, after lurking here for years I'm just starting to build again. Haven't made a banjo for 30 yrs, curious to see if I've learned anything since then. ...
Tim Smith, of "Save the Banjo" fame, made up a bunch and sold them at cost to members of this list. Google "save the banjo" or wait until he reads this note. ...
I have priced them and to have a set made both tap and die is $89.00. 8 X 26 is not a standard size and has to be custom ordered. Rick **************Ideas to...
The 8-26 tap is just not available except by custom order. Believe me, I've looked A LOT. I did indeed have a batch made and still have about a dozen....
Rick; That is dirt cheap for a custom tap & die set!!!! I would readily pay that much straight away. Contact me & lts get an order together, eh? Tim Smith ...
Dave, I seem to have a bad email for you. Please send me a good one. Lew -- Lew Stern Chief Surgeon Little Bear Banjo Hospital 4700 South 9th Street Arlington,...
ThANKS. dAVE surfaced. I appreciate your help, Lew -- Lew Stern Chief Surgeon Little Bear Banjo Hospital 4700 South 9th Street Arlington, VA 22204 (703)...
Last Summer I built a gourd banjo in my garage, and it came out OK. Now I would like to extend my experience to building a minstrel banjo from scratch as well....
I doubt you could bend a circle with a side bender out of 1/4" stock. I've only test bent some wood preparing to make an ukulele (walnut - .080" or so) and...
Thanks for the info. I kind of figured that the bending iron would not be able to soften up a piece of wood that thick. I only work on banjos during the warm...
Brian, I would say that your gourd banjo turned out better than OK. Steam bending the pot is fairly simple, and one of the most rewarding parts of building, to...
I forgot to mention that all of your neighbors will think that you are making moonshine. Randy ... rewarding ... have ... would ... be ... stove ... rats ... ...
Hi All , I just joined the Banjomakers group hoping to find out more about this instrument and sent details and a picture to Rob as is apparently protocol for...
Randy, Any help on wood steaming would be greatly appreciated. I did read the writeup on your blog and it is very helpful. I am clear on the theory, but the...
... protocol ... without ... Sorry Phil - I've had some email issues over the last few weeks resulting in a big ol' backlog. I'll try to get through it and...
Ive had real good luck bending pc.s of the size you would require for a pot by simply useing a heat gun. the trick is to keep you wood moist and take it...
randy just to let you know. i know a guitar maker that uses the diamond stones for fret leveling with the instrument strung up. he takes the plastic piece off ...
I agree with Pete.... I'm also a blacksmith and I have some Propane gas forges that I designed. Well I turn on the forge, wet the wood, and hold a small...
What air temperature do you set it to? Most of the heat guns I have seen advertised run at either 500 or 1000 degrees. Brian (_)=='=~ ... If only the best bird...
I forgot to tell you, I just do it outside in the driveway....I don't have a shop or any building to do it in. Kennen Hiss Quality Tech II Weir Minerals North...
