For those of you who do not follow my blog at Popular Woodworking Magazine, I’m in Pittsboro, N.C., this week teach a class in building “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest.” You can follow along with the daily videos using the following links. (Warning: banjos were plucked in the making of these films.)
2. Day 2: The Shell is Assembled
Today we will attach the bottoms – tongue-and-groove, beading, nails. And we will true up the cases to prepare them for the dovetailed skirting.
— Christopher Schwarz
The 1-2 minute videos are nice – any chance we might get a DVD length video of the whole construction process? Kinda like the “Building a Sawbench” video.
That’s a fine idea. I’d have to get someone to shoot it and edit it…
Nice! According to no less an authority than Roy Clark “the banjo is the only instrument invented in America; because this is the only country that had enough nerve”. Right before he blew the audience away with Foggy Mountain Breakdown. (Roy Clark, Live at the Landmark (hotel) in Las Vegas). I sure wish I could find that on CD!
Electric bass – aka “bass guitar” (though an unfortunate name, and best avoided) was invented by Gibson in America. Brought to the market by Leo Fender, also in America. But a bluegrass guy like Roy Clark may not have recognized the electric bass as a valid instrument…bring one to a bluegrass gig at your own peril.
the vibes or vibraphone , is another American made instrument.
paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
A banjo would be an interesting challenge to make, given the metalwork involved. Has anyone tried this or know of a good source for components?
You can get everything you need to build a banjo from Stewart-MacDonald:http://www.stewmac.com/
Oh dear. I have an improper bottom.
I shiplapped my boards. My kingdom, insignificant though it is, for match planes.
Bah, I edge-glued two boards for mine and then nailed it to the sides (cut nails of course). And the seam runs parallel to the long sides. I laugh at the gods of wood movement. But matched boards sure look fancy… just in case someone ever takes the trouble to tip the toolchest over.
I also open to shiplap the bottom of my chest as it was more straight forward with to tools I had at my disposal. Or rather due to the tools I didn’t own. (neither match planes nor a plow plane)
I’ve got a plow plane now but I think if I had to do it over again I’d probably still shiplap them.
I note with considerable pride that no one took the bait on that comment Megan!
Such a well-behaved readership!
Yup. They’re waiting for you to jump up and down on your chest, Gluebo or otherwise.