kwl - Posted - 02/20/2015:  11:20:56

Thanks Dan. I appreciate your taking the time to  photograph the box and provide me with dimensions.

Ken

guitarman8491 - Posted - 02/20/2015:  12:55:48

Dan very cool technique for installing the binding..thanks for sharing. Have a good time with the concert!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/23/2015:  06:31:40

Kenneth,

You are welcome. Good luck with your project.

Doug,

You are welcome and thanks!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/23/2015:  06:52:14

LEE ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS

SATURDAY NIGHT

We had a wonderful time Saturday. What a treat working with great musicians! With rough weather around here we had full, full house.

Here are a very good photos from my friend Jean Owens...

CHILL TONIC working...

Danny Conger sawin'...

Mark Holladay, me & my son Sam Knowles sangin', Tyler Andal fiddlin'!

Iris Shepherd winning everybody's heart!

Terry, when I saw this photo I knew that Jean must have taken it for you!

Here I'm introducing CHAMBER ORCHESTRA DU PARIS:  Iris Shepherd and Kester Nucum:Violin, Jordan Shepherd and Harrison Cook: Viola, Tori Starks and Hayden Cook: Cello​

Here we all are Auld Lang Synin' it (l to R) Ed smith, Tyler Andal, Mark Holladay, Jon Eaton, Anna Eaton, me, Tori Starks, Hayden Cook & conductor Scott Shepherd...

Ed Smith at the beginning and end of the night... figure that one out if you will!

I borrowed Ed's hat and Tyler shot this!

More Soon!!!

Nels - Posted - 02/23/2015:  07:29:13

You are soooo right about Iris!! ...what smile..

60spicker - Posted - 02/23/2015:  11:14:16

Absolutely marvelous footwear and socks. Does Jean think I have a foot fetish or something, LMAO? Or is she, too, fascinated (a kind word) by your choice of socks? Who cares? Obviously, a great time was had by all. Hometown affirmation is always the best.

Kaelri - Posted - 02/23/2015:  11:53:24

Dan, my (teenaged!) daughter loves your sock choices. But she says that life is much more exciting if you wear two DIFFERENT wildly colored socks on your feet at the same time. Now, mind you, not two pairs...just two different socks at the same time........kids...go figure! ha 

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/24/2015:  05:05:54

Nels,

She does doesn't she...

Terry,

It is always nice to do a home town show!

Ellen,

Please tell your daughter that I may just take upe her suggestion for my next show!

I don't usually post photos in this reply section but I noticed that I missed this wonderful photo (from the show the other night) of one of my most favorite fiddler - banjo pickers: Tyler Andel

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/24/2015:  05:51:38

MONDAY

ON TUESDAY

I guess I need to play catch up with this post...

Saturday morning I came into the shop, early. I was thinking about how the day would progress. What I would get done with Zeb & Kevin.

Then I got a call from Kevin, he was icebound up in Kentucky.

So then I readjusted my morning. Zeb and I would really make time carving his top braces...

Then I walked into the shop.

Water was all over the floor. It sounded like it was raining in the back by the heater.

The flat (or semi-flat)  rubber roof had developed a leek.

Right then I called reinforcements. My wife Debbie, my sons Sam & Patrick and we went to work picking up water, moving instruments and moving wood.

There was a shop vac getting up water. Buckets catching drips, rags & towels all over.

When all settled out we took inventory. It looked like nothing had been damaged. Although the shop, usually somewhat neat was in an uproar.

We went on the roof and removed as much ice & snow as we could and hunted for a damaged spot. None found. It was decided that we would wait a few days for ice melt then go back and find and fix. Tomorrow will be that day.

Today though, in addition to teaching, moving & cleaning I plan on putting the Scarecrow & the Shipwreck banjo together.

Sunday and Monday I was a plater. I borrowed a pen plating machine from my good cousin Allen Knowles and went to work. I've done silver plating in the past with this machine and it was fast and easy, this on the other hand was not.

Here are the parts and the machine before I started....

Reading one of my ice cream cone bracket nuts...

On with the plating. 10-15 minutes later....

Applying solution to the tool...

Then to the tailpiece...

Many brush passes later  a silver tint is on the brass. Many more passes and it looks plated...

Here are the parts Sunday evening late... Yesterday many of these same parts were given another go over. 

I like doing everything possible in house and occasionally I run into something which makes me say, "Never again." 

Well this is not one of these. I've already begun researching dip plating of nickel and it does look quite doable and much wiser than attempting to pen plate a bunch of parts.

MORE SOON!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 02/24/2015:  07:27:32

Dan

That photo of Tyler could go on an CD jacket.  And the CD inside would have his playing on it.  

Alec Cramsie - Posted - 02/24/2015:  08:04:37

Very cool...how much electricity is going through that machine?

rubicon - Posted - 02/24/2015:  09:20:07

looking good

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/24/2015:  17:34:30

Dave,

I t-totaly agree!

Alec,

Around 10 volts.

Rubicon,

Thanks!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/24/2015:  17:49:56

TUESDAY

I just got home from teaching. It was a full house only one student took an ice day off. My farthermost away student made it. His is a 1 1/2 hour trip every time he comes. That is true dedication!

In the moments between I did get some banjo type stuff complete, mostly bolting bracket shoes to a bracket band.

Bolt in place...

Shoe & bolt...

And flathead screwdriver...

Together

On the rim...

This weeks furtherest travailing student goes to Raybon Moore of BHO and Jackson, Tennessee!!!

Congrats Raybon!!!

More tomorrow!

tylerandal - Posted - 02/24/2015:  18:19:37

Wooow :)

Also, no drive is too far to visit dan!  He's probably the most interesting person I've ever met!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 02/24/2015:  18:53:39

Driving on ice to get to a banjo lesson is true dedication and a sign of serious banjo addiction! Of course no one better to contract the banjo affliction from than Dan!!

cbrianroll - Posted - 02/24/2015:  19:07:57

Dan, I hope you've got a dehumidifier running in there sucking up that moisture!

jbalch - Posted - 02/25/2015:  04:47:03

Dan & Tyler - that banjo looks AMAZING.  I can't wait to hear it.

JB

bluegrassthumper - Posted - 02/25/2015:  18:53:41

A great guy and teacher. Thanks Dan for being patient.

Raybon

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/26/2015:  05:48:44

Tyler, Doug & Raybon,

Thanks so much.

Brian,

We turned up the gas heat in the shop and within two days things were back to normal, humidity wise.

John,

Thanks, it is getting there.

rubicon - Posted - 02/26/2015:  09:14:31

Glad to hear things got back to normal for you I thought that was awesome that in times of trouble everyone came to help

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/26/2015:  17:33:39

Rubicon,

It's not quite back to normal, but it is quickly moving in that direction.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/26/2015:  18:00:16

THURSDAY

Rubicon mentioned the back to normal. Well as I said before, it is getting there.

Today I spent several hours on the roof. Finally the ice was gone and I hunted for open seams in the rubber roof. I found a couple, made patches and sealed them. Hopefully that's all of that for the time being. 

When we had the leak, none of the instruments got wet or was damaged, but several boards in one of my wood storage cabinets did get wet. Many of these boards are wonderfully figured maple. A couple show date stamps of 1989.

When we found that it was leaking all of the wood was removed and leaned against the walls in my power tool room. Today I moved and re-stacked and stickered the pile in the front room. It was good to see some of my old friends again. There might be three or four which will not be usable due to water damage. We'll see.

Partially stacked.... 

Fully stacked. Next week I'll get out the ladder and put them away...

Here is Tyler's banjo rim assembled...

Although it looks nice I was just not happy with the plating, too grey for my tastes. It didn't fit the soul of this banjo. The nickel just didn't send me. I wanted a rich brightness. Alan and Roland  (my good plating cousins) suggested that we consider silver.

Up to this time I had only been thinking about nickel. Like fireworks going off on a Forth of July night. I felt instantly lightened. I hoped that the answer to my dilemma was here.

So I set up the machine and silver plated a bracket nut.

Yes!!!

So late in the day I called Tyler, he liked silver.

Now I could begin to get under way!

The first silver plated parts...

MORE SOON!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 02/26/2015:  22:08:17

Dan

The figure on some of that wood set me to drooling, then I got to the photo's of Tyler's pot and silver plated parts and I ran out of drool and words.

guitarman8491 - Posted - 02/27/2015:  05:27:19

Dan, Dave nailed it...awesome looking pot. Tyler is gonna have one fine banjo for sure!

R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 02/27/2015:  05:34:58

Oh yeah! Silver!! Now the vampires have to look out! Seriously, that is the look. Stunning, esp with the cocobolo.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/27/2015:  18:37:23

Dave Doug & Blake,

More silver coming!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/27/2015:  18:51:14

FRIDAY

Last night I had a dream. I dreamed this little skirt on the  bracket band. When I got to the shop hoping that I'd already done it I found I was mistaken. So I cut out a piece of brass, radiused it to fit and brazed it onto the bracket band. 

After smoothing and shaping I dove off into engraving it.

First the outside frames were laid out...

Then I began the engraving proper...

Then I plated it with silver. And plated all of the rest of the parts too...

More Soon

Kaelri - Posted - 02/27/2015:  19:00:25

Wow. 

 

Dave1climber - Posted - 02/27/2015:  19:53:14

Silver plate......WOW.....WOW

Will1717 - Posted - 02/27/2015:  21:16:04

Bill Rickard

tylerandal - Posted - 02/27/2015:  22:57:50

I agree!  That looks incredible!  I'm very excited about the silver look.  And like bill was saying, I love the look of silver with a little of that purple patina.  That's gonna look great agains the cocobola some day.  Can't wait to see it all in person!  Maybe we'll get to hear it soon...

DEmery - Posted - 02/28/2015:  05:40:00

Dan that is pretty work. I still think your engraving is taking on a new level and look. David E.

jbalch - Posted - 02/28/2015:  05:50:12

I like silver plated banjos.  I just picked up this 1924 B&D Silver Bell #2 that silver plated and heavily tarnished.   I'm truing to decide how much to clean it.

guitarman8491 - Posted - 02/28/2015:  06:30:40

Wow! Amazing engraving and an even more heightened attention to detail..skirt on the bracket band..oh yeah! This banjo will be one for the books!

Kaelri - Posted - 02/28/2015:  15:27:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by jbalch

I like silver plated banjos.  I just picked up this 1924 B&D Silver Bell #2 that silver plated and heavily tarnished.   I'm truing to decide how much to clean it.

---

That's a beautiful banjo John. I especially love the detailed carving on the sides of the heel.

Ross - Posted - 02/28/2015:  16:14:19

You and Coleridge have these wonderfully creative dreams that produce beautiful art.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/28/2015:  17:45:11

Ellen, Dave, David, Doug & Ross,

Thanks so much!

Bill,

I am tore up reading your post. I remember you telling me about a silver plated spunover. I've a new idea for a cross boarders banjo that I'd like to spin in yer direction soon!

Tyler,

I'm very pleased you like the silver... after all this is your banjo! Perhaps you'll even be tickled with tonights post too!

John,

I just love those old Silver Bell's and that looks like a good one. Does it have a knee mute?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 02/28/2015:  18:12:49

SATURDAY

LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY

Here it is Saturday, the very last day of February. This being a Saturday was Lutherie Teaching day down at the ole' shop. 

We started a new student today, Tom Bailey. That's him over there in the corner.  Tom has been a banjo student of mine for several months. Now he's here, guitar building.

Today  not only did Tom chose top wood for his guitar. He also jointed and glued up the top and chose his back and side wood. That was excellent progress for a first day! 

Kevin worked on preparing his neck for back strapping...

Zeb shaped the top of his sides so he can glue his top to them. He's not too far away from having a box!

After class this afternoon I turned a new wooden coordinator rod for Tyler's banjo. The first one which I made was just not going to do what I expected. So it was new rod turning day! Here I'm beggining to turn the center section. This part is made from ebony and maple...

Here I'm preparing to install a gold mother of pearl bearing...

Sanding...

Staining one of the two end pieces. The ends are made from some of the same maple as the neck.

Here is the dowel coordinator rod, basically complete. Tomorrow I'll spray some finish on it.Being as Tyler is an expert wood turner who makes beautiful pens, I wished to honor and reflect this in the rod. This rod is fully adjustable without having to use any external nuts. Also that very center shiny part is silver to!

MORE SOON!!!

Dave1climber - Posted - 02/28/2015:  19:47:50

Dan

It seem as if every time I see you work, I think 'this is the best".  Then you once again out do yourself.  It just keeps getting better.

tylerandal - Posted - 02/28/2015:  21:23:31

*drooool*  

this is amazing!  just tell me when and I'll be right over :)  I'm a big fan of silver... big fan.

DEmery - Posted - 03/01/2015:  02:29:31

Dan these turned dowels are beautiful. Wish I had one. David E.

Dan Knowles - Posted - 03/01/2015:  15:25:25

Dave, 

Thank you!

Tyler,

Would next year be too soon?

David,

I bet you could have one if you just asked correctly!

DEmery - Posted - 03/01/2015:  15:50:26

Could afford the dowel...but not sure I could the banjo that goes with it, Maybe we could build a guitar first. David E.

R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 03/01/2015:  17:20:27

I know - that's the best looking dowel I've ever seen!

Dan Knowles - Posted - 03/01/2015:  18:38:29

David,

Maybe we are!

Blake,

Thanks, that means a lot coming fro a confirmed Dobson man with their very pretty dowel sticks!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 03/01/2015:  18:43:28

Yep that is one handsome dowel rod..what detail!

jbalch - Posted - 03/01/2015:  18:49:32

Dan I have some  questions for you re: the Silver plated B&D I mentioned:

That banjo is complete - but for the armrest. In 1924, Silver Bell banjos were supplied with "KING" brand clamp-on armrests.  Thankfully. I found the correct type.  But it is nickel plated, a little rough, and  showing a lot of brass.  See photo below.

Questions:

Can this part be silver plated?

Would it be necessary to remove the Nickel plating first?

Any recommendations?

Dan Knowles - Posted - 03/01/2015:  18:56:40

SUNDAY

In the shop a bit today spraying the Scarecrow dowel. We are heading towards the finish line now!

I'm spraying a catalyzed varnish. It is two part somewhat like epoxy.

With small jobs like this I almost always us an airbrush to apply the finish. I set it to a tight pattern and waste less finish (at the cost of this stuff who wants to waste it).

In between coats I tried something I'd been thinking about for a while, scraping an over thick skin to a more proper thickness.  This one came from my supplier much to thick for any banjo I wished to put it on. It might work for some hand drum, but not building hand drums...

After scraping it to a fairly consistent thickness of .014 I power sanded it. Perhaps tomorrow I'll mount it on a banjo and see if it works...

Tonight I figured I'd post an update on the PUPPET MASTER painting. I'm finally beginning to head into the home stretch on this work. The upper blue third is yet to be complete as are the marionette strings....

Yes those are eye balls. Note none of the figures (with the exception of the painter who is not in the painting) has eyes...

And the ventriloquist dummy is now tied with her golden dog chain and has a new pin...

More Soon!!!