shootstraighter - Posted - 11/17/2009:  08:41:58

I have been thinking about installing a new nut on my banjo how hard would this be, the one that is on there now is a hard plastic thinking about bone or pearl. Have been looking at the tools from Stewart -McDonald the vise and files the gauges and ruller, I know that is alot of money but would learn something in the process. What should I beware of or would I be a lot better off taking it to a luither and let him do it. Comments please, Gordie

beegee - Posted - 11/17/2009:  08:53:43

You don't need a lot of fancy tools. You can buy a piece of bone at the pet store and use a belt sander and files and a coping saw to cut and shape the bone. If you want the "real" stuff and have the money, why not? I'm a firm believer in DIY and having the right tools is a plus. It may launch you into a new avocation.

__________________________
"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing." -Seneca

fynger - Posted - 11/17/2009:  09:10:53

Use whatever you can get yer hands on....i just put one on that i just filed to shape....has a piece of lolly stick under it cos it wasnt tall enough.


Kev.

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Have you hugged your Banjo today ?

revellfa - Posted - 11/17/2009:  09:20:22

I am currently attempting to make a nut myself. I don't know yet how hard it is, as I am not done yet but I can tell you that nothing is more rewarding than working on and making your own instrument. I am just getting involved with all of this, but I do have some advice--get the right tools, and you won't get any better than Stew-Mac.

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banjodr - Posted - 11/17/2009:  09:44:53

http://banjoist.tripod.com/Banjo%20Nut%20Setup.htm
Try this out there's more just look

Stay Tuned! gDGBD

scooter46 - Posted - 11/17/2009:  10:17:28

If there is a instrument repair shop or music store close try them some will have different size and shape bone nut material. Get an Xacto saw check craft, hobby stores or harbor freight for mini file sets, you can make a vise out of a couple pieces of scrap wood. Check out nut replacement here at the HO there are some little tricks that come in handy like sanding one side of a pencil flat lay across your frets to mark the slot depth. After you cut the slot take pieces of old strings run them throughthe slot kind of acts like a file. Good Luck Larry

Learning a new skill takes time, patience and practice. Also it is very important to stay hydrated

steve davis - Posted - 11/17/2009:  10:52:29

Do all your fitting on the nut material and don't alter the slot in the neck.

banjobilly32 - Posted - 11/17/2009:  10:58:27

www.frets.com has a great article under luthiers on making and installing a correct nut. Almost any problem on stringed instruments is covered in Frank Ford's site.
I've made several nuts and with a belt or disk sander & files , saws etc. it's not a bad job. Just take your time.

Ol Lefty - Posted - 11/17/2009:  15:57:06

Nut material, a razor saw, a set of torch welder's tip cleaners and some feeler gauges plus some files and a way to polish will get it done. I have all of the dedicated tools myself, but I have a bunch of guitar builds going and two banjos in process and my first try at a conversion from a May Bell that has some nice maple "bones." I am developing a small luthieries business-I'm quite experienced with guitars, but new to banjos. Yes-heed the warning--ALL FITTING DONE TO THE NUT ONLY!!! And to protect the nearby finish, use a razor to score around the nut before removing. A nut should then pop off with a moderate tap.

I have made guitar nuts for people "long-distance"- a tracing with a .5mm pencil and string height at first fret gets me close. Can't say now, that a long distance banjo nut would be easy. Ol'Lefty

"Don't pick it; it'll never heal"--with apologies, that always makes me grin.......... "I'm not crazy, I'm colorful." Struther Martin, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"

mrbook - Posted - 11/17/2009:  21:01:59

I have found pearl is hard to work with, but bone is fairly easy. Frank Ford's site and even Stew-Mac has information on doing it. I've done many with a hobby saw and many kinds of files.

Bill

1four5 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  02:06:59

I've done several with just a hobby saw and belt sander. I use bone blanks from Stu Mac. I love their antique colored bone.

Dean

steve davis - Posted - 11/18/2009:  04:30:46

I made a pearl nut for my walnut conversion and found it easy to shape.
My luthier friend told me not to shape the ends outside of strings 1 and
4 too much as pearl is weak in sheer,so I lightly rounded the sharp corners
and left it at that.
The banjo's tone cuts through very strongly.