mike gregory - Posted - 03/25/2017:  17:15:44

As mentioned on a PREVIOUS topic, I got a LOT of 10-inch heads, and was looking for a way to inexpensively mount them on some sort of banjo body.

Am using 10-inch (INSIDE diameter) PVC sewer pipe, which must be cut and re-joined to make  a 10-inch OUTSIDE diameter body.

Someone who did NOT understand that I already HAVE the heads and the pipe, suggested using a REMO hand drum.

Good idea, IF one does not already have a box of heads.

After all,  has been suggested on OTHER Do-It-Yourself threads here, with many a well-respected luthier voiceing support.

AND, myself has cobbled up two Civil War era looking banjos using the REMO drum.

So,I figured I may as well try epoxy and clamps, see if it works to make a simple drum from PVC and one of these heads..

Didn't have any epoxy on hand, tonight, so I just put on 8 clamps.

And, why not set the SNARK on top, and tap it.

MUCH to my surprise, I got G# !

Tomorrow, I'll get some epoxy, sand the mating surfaces,  glob it on, and by Monday, I should have some pictures to add to this thread.

Wish me LUCK, because SKILL doesn't seem to have all that much to do with my projects.

May as well get me a brass disk and some ribbon, and award myself a home-made Fearless Fumbler medal for just trying ANYTHING as a way to make a banjo.

Edited by - mike gregory on 03/25/2017 17:20:55

Dave1climber - Posted - 03/25/2017:  19:33:49

Mike

Your local hardware will have PVC Glue and primer, it melts the PVC together to make a joint.  It should work better than epoxy.  Epoxy does not stick to plastics very well.

Owen - Posted - 03/25/2017:  19:45:46

quote:

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Originally posted by mike gregory

<snip>  "Am using 10-inch (INSIDE diameter) PVC sewer pipe, which must be cut and re-joined to make  a 10-inch OUTSIDE diameter body.

.<snip>   ....medal for just trying ANYTHING as a way to make a banjo."

---

IF it was seven days from now, I'd suggest you mount it in a lathe and turn it to the required OD!!   

mike gregory - Posted - 03/25/2017:  20:12:18

But, will it glue PVC to Mylar?

Silly question.
I'll try ANYTHING once, in order to make a low-cost banjo for beginners.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/25/2017:  20:15:13

Was also thinking of driving tacks through the Mylar, into the PVC, once the glue is dry, so that IF the glue lets go, the tacks will hold it.

If it works for possum hide on a gourd, should work for this, too.

Dave1climber - Posted - 03/26/2017:  08:02:34

quote:

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Originally posted by mike gregory

 

But, will it glue PVC to Mylar?



Silly question.

I'll try ANYTHING once, in order to make a low-cost banjo for beginners.

---

I don't know, however I think that we are going to find out.

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/27/2017:  09:38:03

quote:

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Originally posted by mike gregory

 

But, will it glue PVC to Mylar?

---

Put a few drops on the sheeting. If it reacts to Mylar, it will stick when dry.. If not, a drop will cure and just flake off.

In the plumbing section of any hardware store, they will have different glues for ABS and PVC. Make sure you get the stuff that matches your pipe. 

OldPappy - Posted - 03/27/2017:  10:42:34

Wonder what kind of glue Remo uses to glue the mylar into the "flesh hoop" on their heads.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/27/2017:  15:02:54

Bought the primer & glue,  brought it home, set it down, did a lot of other stuff, went to bed, got uip, fed and medicated me & the dog, did 2 more projects, and now can not remeber where I set it.

At least I'm  going senile while I'm still young enough to enjoy it.

Am VERY eager to do just a test spot on the Mylar (TM), per the Very Intelligent suggestion posted above.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/27/2017:  15:16:32

FOUND it.

Under 2 layers of stuff from the other projects.

Did the test dab at 5:15.

Will check back about 7.

I must admit that my housekeeping mantra of

"A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING,  AND EVERYTHING ALL OVER THE PLACE"

does tend to complicate my life.

Dave1climber - Posted - 03/27/2017:  18:54:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by mike gregory

 

FOUND it.

Under 2 layers of stuff from the other projects.

Did the test dab at 5:15.

Will check back about 7.

I must admit that my housekeeping mantra of

"A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING,  AND EVERYTHING ALL OVER THE PLACE"

does tend to complicate my life.

---

I am familiar with this sort of thing happening at my shop also.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/27/2017:  21:05:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by mikehalloran

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by mike gregory

 

But, will it glue PVC to Mylar?

---

Put a few drops on the sheeting. If it reacts to Mylar, it will stick when dry.. If not, a drop will cure and just flake off.

In the plumbing section of any hardware store, they will have different glues for ABS and PVC. Make sure you get the stuff that matches your pipe. 

---

Mr. Halloran, you are a genius, and that should be spelled with a capital Jeannie!

I sanded a spot, dabbed on  some primer, let it dry a few minutes, dabbed on the goo, and when I checked, a couple hours later, I could not scrape it of with ye olde Thumbnail.

Tomorrow is a busy day, but maybe Thursday I will do an actual Head Implant.

Playin the radio - Posted - 03/27/2017:  21:15:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by mike gregory

 

"and now can not remember where I set it.

At least I'm  going senile while I'm still young enough to enjoy it."

 

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Mike, You're getting close to being able to hide your own Easter eggs. Mike

5strings3picks1banjo - Posted - 03/28/2017:  03:33:52

Hi Mike, Let me understand, You have 10 inch heads with the metal hoop attached as any normal mylar banjo head?
How about the the old string idea like an African style Djembe? May look very cool.

Another idea if you need necks,
I've been collecting broken classical guitars from rubbish piles with the idea that my children could remove the necks and shape them for a cheap banjo neck project. Great for taking anywhere without the worry or care if they get broken.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/28/2017:  05:52:56

Already bought the glue.

Since I'm trying to keep the costs down, the TIME involved in doing a string treatment might be horrific.

But, might try one, just to see what it will look like.

And, of course, the flat bottomed sewer pipe is not as GRACEFUL as the djembe body.

Looks like a LOT of KNOT, and I'm all into quick and careless.

5strings3picks1banjo - Posted - 03/28/2017:  13:30:50

Maybe a work boot as a dead-o-nator and use the boot laces to tie head on? Just a thought. Look forward to your results.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/28/2017:  21:13:54

Glued on the head.
Will post photos in the near future.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/29/2017:  06:45:03

Oh, EXPLETIVE!

Let it sit, clamped, for about six hours.
And when I unclamped it, POP!.
Dang thing let go instantly.

Maybe there wasn't enough contact between the outside wall of the body and the inside wall of the head.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/30/2017:  06:23:14

LIQUID NAILS let go instantly.           

Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 03/30/2017:  06:36:43

Have you tried roughening the surface of the area to be glued slightly?  This is a common practice when using glue on very smooth surfaces, to give it more to grab.  I don't know if it would help on a head, but it seems like a possibility.  

Zach