uncle.fogey - Posted - 04/21/2012:  14:45:26

There are different kinds of tension hoops. I like the "tailored" look of the notched ones, so that's what I'm going to do here. If something works, there's no reason to re-invent it.

Having said that, The standard tension hoop you would buy is going to have "Gibson spacing" almost 100 percent of the time.

The Gibson spacing is designed for 24 hooks and a 4-string neck. When Gibson "cast their design model in bronze"  5 strings were not part of the equation.

SO, here's a pic showing the Gibson string gap vs the Vega one (Vega made a lot of 5-strings):

You can see that the Vega string gap is wider.

Also, the Vega tension hoops were 5/8" and the Gibson ones ( which has become the standard), were 9/16". Why? I don't know:

Not knowing any better, I use the 5/8".  I like the way it looks, it's stronger.

So my tension hoops have these dimensions:

So, I bend the 3/16 / 5/8 x 36" piece into a circle:

Then you have to silver solder the joint:

After that, you have to mark where you want the notches, which you do by using the bracket band as a spacing template:

You roughly cut the notches with a bandsaw and file them:

Check that a bracket will actually fit - I call this an "idiot check"  I have "idiot checks" at every stage of my work - I don't want to do something stupid that was just because I wasn't paying attention.

I like the top edge to be sharp and crisp, with a VERY subtle edge relief - I think it sends a message of precision.  I file the corners of the notches and file a bevel in the lower inside edge to give the head a little slack and not point-load the joint between the head and the "flesh hoop":

I clean up the notches with a round-edged mill file:

Then, as described before, It gets polished by members of the society of the black hand:

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So here it is sitting on the bracket band.

If God is on our side, these will line up when we put the whole thing together, and the hooks will be straight up - and down.

NOW -on to the tone rings!!!

kwl - Posted - 04/21/2012:  14:53:38

I am enjoying these picture essays on your building. Keep them coming. One of these days I will have to find you and take a look at a completed banjo.

Ken

Waltj - Posted - 04/21/2012:  15:03:12

Great stuff, thank you.

Walt

aeroweenie - Posted - 04/21/2012:  18:36:38

Very informative, thanks!

wuzapicker - Posted - 04/21/2012:  18:57:22

Thank you!

This is one I think I might explore. Applying round hooks to a Paramount banjo will require a custom notched hoop. Since the availability of Waverly's flat hooks has waned, I've considered the feasibility. You show how having the right tools and skills, one or two hoops could be fabricated.

banjonutter - Posted - 04/21/2012:  19:53:47

Fantastic! Building my second banjo (first was almost entirely out of scrap). This time I'm going to try what your showing. Thank you!

mtmncobb - Posted - 04/21/2012:  23:37:03

Thanks for posting this. I really enjoy reading about it and looking at the pictures.

dculgan - Posted - 04/23/2012:  11:54:48

I can't believe I didn't know they made micrometers that read in fractions of an inch! Regarding everything else in these series - even more impressed!

uncle.fogey - Posted - 04/23/2012:  12:59:34

quote:

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Originally posted by dculgan

I can't believe I didn't know they made micrometers that read in fractions of an inch! Regarding everything else in these series - even more impressed!

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AH, West Grove PA - I remember the Eastern National 5 String Banjo contest held at Sunset Park every year on the 4th of July.

That micrometer, or Vernier caliper not only reads in fractions, but decimal inches and millimeters - just push a button and switch from one to the other. It reads in 1/128" increments and 3 decimal points, so 3.75 mm = .1475" = 19/128" .  All for $29.95. I couldn't be without it.

kwl - Posted - 04/23/2012:  15:19:07

You must have picked it up at Grizzly.