bordertownbrown - Posted - 02/19/2010:  14:07:42

Thanks to all for the nice comments! Spent a few hours in the shop today, more fussing with detail, also started carving the other side but didn't take any pictures yet.

Richard

DanKnowles - Posted - 02/19/2010:  19:16:13

Richard,

I sure hope you are feeling better. Ain't nothin' much wore than bein' sick. This is looking really nice!

Dan Knowles

rot-n-dobe - Posted - 02/24/2010:  06:55:38

i am rather anxious to see how yours turns out. ive been following dan ebony banjo and it has inspired me to try one. since i found this thread, i will be watching your progress as well. by the way, that wood is beautiful. i also like the idea of your carving at the base of the peg head, never sen that before, very nice!

bordertownbrown - Posted - 02/25/2010:  14:57:56

Dan, Thanks, looks like I'm on the mend, had "THE FLU", was sick for three weeks, two rounds of antibiotics and felon' better.

rot-n-dobe, Looked at your banjos and they are very nice, this ebony banjo is a real commitment. I can't keep up with Dan as I am working this one in with a batch of other banjos I'm building at the same time.

bordertownbrown - Posted - 02/25/2010:  15:20:18

Didn't finish my carving yet but we'll get back to that later! Yesterday I bored the rim and cut the square hole for the dowel stick. I had to start by making a new template for my 11" rims, also completed several mesquite rims while I was set up.






Today I shaped the dowel stick' first boring a hole in the end for the end bolt.



Next the dowel stick is tapered on the belt sander, I sand it until it is within an inch or so of fitting all the way into the square hole, also it is sanded to fit into the ferrule but again within about a half inch of going all the way.



The final fit is done by hand using sand paper attached to a piece of plate glass.



The dowel stick was left a little long so I can get a perfect fit by scribing it with a compass.





Finally I sanded the heel cap to fit the rim and that's it for today.

rot-n-dobe - Posted - 02/25/2010:  17:28:39

richard, this is very interesting and i already know that your thread and dans will be of great value to me as i try my hand at an ebony banjo. i dont have all the tools that you two have but, i used to build gun stocks and primitive bows and arrows so i am sure i will muddle through. alot of your ideas will be very adaptable for use with my meager tools and thankfully it is begining to warm a little here. the wife hates it when i work at the dining table! suppose to get up near 40 this weekend. thanks again and i look forward to more from you.

DanKnowles - Posted - 02/25/2010:  19:08:47

Richard,

I know I have said it before, but I really admire your way of building. I learn something every time you post!

Dan Knowles

bordertownbrown - Posted - 04/22/2010:  14:17:28

Well it's been a while since I've done any work on this one but had some time today and started carving the other side of the heel.

rot-n-dobe - Posted - 04/22/2010:  14:34:49

now im excited! so glad to see your back at it richard.

brokenstrings - Posted - 04/22/2010:  22:18:20

Your banjo is going to be very beautiful, and I love the idea of combining the Texas ebony with mesquite. But Dan Knowles created his ebony banjo because one he had made in the past proved to have a very extraordinary sound. Since Texas ebony isn't really ebony (though it sure looks it), it won't have that sound, will it?

bordertownbrown - Posted - 04/23/2010:  06:26:28

Brokenstrings, I can not guarantee that my banjo will sound exactly like the one Dan built but Texas ebony, although not a true ebony compares favorably to African ebony in every respect. Both woods weigh in at about 65 pounds per cubic foot and will sink in water, Gabon ebony trees can reach a height of fifty feet and a diameter of two feet but that would be from a tree that is 100 + years old, today it is rare to find any boards over six inches wide. Texas ebony, though rare can still be found from trees that are 100+ years old as it has not been exploited like African ebony has for many years.

I am building with mesquite and Texas ebony for several reasons, some technical and some moral. The two woods are closely related and grow right here is south Texas and a study by Texas A&M claims that mesquite may be the most dimensionally stable wood on earth. Neither of these woods are endangered with mesquite being considered a nuisance for many years. Africa has been exploited for its resources for centuries, everything from humans on down, including diamonds, ivory and exotic woods, much of the trade is illegal and has led to much human suffering to which I don't want to contribute.

Steven M - Posted - 04/23/2010:  13:42:06

Seriously impressed.

Mike Casey - Posted - 04/23/2010:  18:04:22

The Mesquite is one of the most beautiful and expensive woods I know of. Mesquite lumber in sizes wider than 12" and longer than 8 feet are unusual and very expensive. I was at a sawmill recently and the sawyer told me Mesquite was the most expensive wood he dealt in. He had a rather large section of Mesquite that measured approximately 8 ft. long, a couple feet wide and 3 inches thick cut for a fireplace mantel. I asked what it would bring and he said anywhere from $3,000.00 to $3,500.00. I remember when I lived in South Texas the ranchers used to bulldoze hundreds of acres into big brush piles because they were considered undesireable and not worth anything.

BanjoDaddio - Posted - 04/24/2010:  02:23:03

Wow! What a great thread..I'm really enjoying seeing your work and those great jigs and fixtures....Tell me about that jig for holding the shell in the lathe? I'm going to buy a lathe soon, and was wondering about face plates and 3 and four jaw chucks etc. What do you feel is the best approach for that? I've always purchased my wood shells from a major supplier but I'd like to get into turning my own one day..Don

bordertownbrown - Posted - 04/24/2010:  06:37:25

Mike, Yes the larger boards of mesquite are very hard to come by, most of the trees we see while driving around are scrubby looking bushes but larger trees do exist and many on the banks of the Rio Grande. Texas ebony is even more scarce but again can be found along the river, the ebony is normally sold by the pound and prices range between $5.00 to $15.00 per pound which converts to apx. $27.00 to $81.00 per board foot.

Don, I use a OneWay Talon chuck, four jaw with jumbo jaws and my own wooden jaws attached. Definitely you want a four jaw chuck, If I were doing this again, I would buy the flat jaws instead of the jumbo jaws as they are about half the price and I find the little rubber grippers with the jumbo jaws to be useless for turning rims although some guys are using them. In some of my other threads I have detailed the construction and use of the wooden jaws on a OneWay chuck.

brokenstrings - Posted - 04/24/2010:  20:58:41

There's a guy in Texas, last name of Wyatt, who builds spinning wheels, and he charges extra for mesquite--when available. I appreciate your reasons for choosing mesquite and Texas ebony and hope the result comes up to your expectations. Those thin strips of mesquite are very subtle with the Texas ebony.

bordertownbrown - Posted - 06/22/2010:  13:05:15

It's been a few months since any work has been done on this banjo but now I'm ready to get started again. Since this project began, nine of my "Mesquite Banjos" have been completed with parts ready for about ten more. I plan to next work on an inlay design and finish up the carving, once that is done it won't take too long to put it all together.

Richard

Mike Casey - Posted - 06/22/2010:  16:22:39

Richard, I really do like the looks of your banjos and the construction is really solid. Do you have a price list for your banjos for those of us who might be interested in purchasing one? The Mesquite and Ebony combination will likely have a great tone. What would you say the volume compares to? Thanks and I really enjoy your showing these banjos.

bordertownbrown - Posted - 06/22/2010:  16:44:49

Mike, Thank you for the compliments! I am in the process of redoing my web site and will have a few banjos posted there for sale. right now I do have a couple of A scale banjos with 10" that I could sell and will soon be completing more full scale banjos with 11" rims in the near future. The other banjos that are completed now are consigned with dealers and can be viewed on their web sites, Elderly Instruments, The Music Emporium, Zepp Country Music and Bernunzio Uptown Music. I really don't want to post prices on the forum but will contact you personally with what I have to offer.

Thanks, Richard

drummerboy - Posted - 06/23/2010:  16:55:12

The only instrument I know how to play at the moment is the drums. I just want to make a few observations about your post and the Banjo Hangout in general.
I'm REALLY impressed with both.
As a drummer I have gone to shows, bought DVD's, tried talking to drummers about what they do, but, and I hate to say it, they are not a very giving community. There are all sorts of scams out there of guys trying to sell you their method for developing amazing technique etc. and all for a very high price. Seems that nothing comes free or even reasonable in the drumming community, with a few exceptions.
But since finding the Hangout, I have been amazed at the level of activity on the site, the friendly nature of the members, and how freely people share their knowledge and information. It really is refreshing!
I want to build my own banjo. I have most of the skills to do it, but really haven't seen a banjo in parts. Thanks for your post. Your work is great ! I look forward to learning more.