MOUNTAIN BANJO BUILD SLIDESHOW HOW TO BUILD

Hello Folks....
another project go to bluestemstringsDOTCOM for the Frank Proffit banjo plan.....it is free thanks to RUDY thank you !!!!!!
I put the plan on CD and had it enlarged it wasn't up to full size but was close...I cut out the plan drawings to use a templates, and compared the banjo to the plan by laying the instrument right on it...definitely helped ward of trouble although I had some...I also recommend reading the Foxfire # 3 book on banjo building I got a copy from the library...
I wanted to put this up as a more detailed look at the process.....
I at first started to use a tailpiece that would help draw tension down on the head, this was a mistake, it muffled the sound...in the end I just looped the strings over the hitch pin and let them ride over the bridge that was it..... I put a 7 degree slope in the neck because I wanted to be able to adjust the action....when you bending your metal for the rim make sure it is even...use a cut off coffee can the bottom edge that way you have a nice symmetrical ring, mine wasn't quite so but it worked anyway.... I wanted to make the banjo of stuff I had lying around....well I;m sure there is more but I can't think of anything right now....lots of pictures not all the greatest...and definitely not the best sound track ;) I'm pretty low tech .... I start playing the actual banjo that is being made around 2:38 hope this helps
happy building and playing cj