egill12 - Posted - 03/17/2012:  00:07:30

Hey all, super new guy here, both to the banjo and the forum. Nonetheless, I am trying my hand at a banjo build. I have made a few primitive cookie tin banjos, all of which are more functional than I could have anticipated, however, the primary area they are lacking is that of the neck construction. So, I decided to glue my first laminated neck blank with some 1 X 6 maple. In the meantime I have been trying to create some sort of template for my neck, but in all honesty measuring and drawing doesn't come so easy to me. So, I'm looking for advice in regards to how to properly measure and draw out the neck. The thing that kills me is the taper.  I am shooting for a neck length of  20" 5/8 L. The block I have is 36" in length,   2 3/4 for the fret board and roughly the same (a little larger) for the profile. Sorry if I'm not providing enough information, just hoping some conversation and questions may lead me to my moment of clarity. BTW I trying to roughly follow the blue prints here bluestemstrings.com/BanjoPlanFPMB1.pdf. Which is  a site IM sure you are all aware of. Any advice as to how to properly achieve dimensions to this effect would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Eric.

Edited by - egill12 on 03/17/2012 00:09:53

Helix - Posted - 03/17/2012:  02:56:02

Eric, welcome.

Think of centerline and centerpoint. It sounds like you have your beam all ready to go. I make my templates out of teflon baking sheet and tape them together with clear packing tape.

You need your dimensions at the nut, the width and depth of the nut,

Then the width and depth at the 5th fret, then the width depth and length of the heel, the tape occurs naturally with this layout.

Then decide whether a D profile or a V like a Vega.

Drawing on a full size piece of 18x24 paper gives you something to look at.

Are you using a bandsaw?

beegee - Posted - 03/17/2012:  05:41:13

I use my eyes and hands as a template. If it looks right and feels right, it's right. Buy a Stew-Mac Masterone blueprint and use that as a start. Or Siminoff's book on Constucting a 5-string banjo.

Edited by - beegee on 03/17/2012 05:43:10

rudy - Posted - 03/17/2012:  05:43:04

Hi Eric, sounds like you've most likely already seen it, but don't overlook the animated "Fret Board Layout" graphic and accompanying text here:

bluestemstrings.com/pageBanjoC...ips1.html 

There is a lot of design information there if you take the time to read through it.  Looking at some of the other free plans there may also help.  You can also print out the 5 pdf sheets for the wine box banjo which will assemble into a full size short scale (23") neck so you can see how the relationships work for neck construction.

Edited by - rudy on 03/17/2012 05:58:18

Fathand - Posted - 03/17/2012:  06:19:43

Buy both of these , this book is good too banjocraft.com/ but is more ideas and techniques than plans.

30 Years ago, I built this banjo using the Scruggs book.  I bought the Stew Mac Blueprint and the Siminoff book after.

quote:

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Originally posted by beegee

I use my eyes and hands as a template. If it looks right and feels right, it's right. Buy a Stew-Mac Masterone blueprint and use that as a start. Or Siminoff's book on Constucting a 5-string banjo.

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Homebrew Back

Homebrew banjo

aeroweenie - Posted - 03/17/2012:  12:10:55

quote:

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Originally posted by rudy

Hi Eric, sounds like you've most likely already seen it, but don't overlook the animated "Fret Board Layout" graphic and accompanying text here:

bluestemstrings.com/pageBanjoC...ips1.html 

There is a lot of design information there if you take the time to read through it.  Looking at some of the other free plans there may also help.  You can also print out the 5 pdf sheets for the wine box banjo which will assemble into a full size short scale (23") neck so you can see how the relationships work for neck construction.

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^ This link provides a wealth of information - I used it to layout the two necks I've built so far.  Thanks Rudy!

egill12 - Posted - 03/17/2012:  18:20:04

quote:

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Originally posted by Helix

Then the width and depth at the 5th fret, then the width depth and length of the heel, the tape occurs naturally with this layout.



Then decide whether a D profile or a V like a Vega.



Drawing on a full size piece of 18x24 paper gives you something to look at.



Are you using a bandsaw?

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Helix, this is essentially exactly what I needed to know. I have been messing around drawing some things out on some 1/4'' poster board, however after jig sawing it and trying to sand it i decided its not the best material (just trying to use what I have laying around). And yes, I will be using a bandsaw as soon as I find a neighbor or someone willing to let me take up some of their time. I'm kind of living impermanently at the moment so my tools are limited, but I think that may be a good thing. But, this lends me the opportunity to ask some of you know hows a question I have had for some time, IF I can't manage to get my hands on a bandsaw anytime soon, are there any ways around it, and or, what types of tools should I plan on using if I have to cut the bad lad by hand. I like the idea of shaping the neck by hand, but hacking into my blank head first scares the s*** out of me. I know I'm going to need a spoke shave, I have plenty of files and sand paper, chisels ect. So I guess I'm asking what the ideal hand tool would be for cutting the blank down to size (other than a hack saw).

egill12 - Posted - 03/17/2012:  18:20:33

Thanks everyone, all advice taken and appreciated.