The Shop > Wood & Stuff
Banjo Build
SwarfnStuff:
This has been and still is a fascinating thread. Thanks for posting.
John B
S. Heslop:
--- Quote from: SwarfnStuff on May 23, 2015, 03:32:42 AM ---This has been and still is a fascinating thread. Thanks for posting.
John B
--- End quote ---
Thanks very much!
I've been hesitating to do much lately until I know what i'm doing. But I think i've finally got the general sizes and shapes of the hooks, nuts, and brackets figured out.
I dug out all the junk I used to make those 50 hooks a few years ago.
On the left is a test hook with a wider angle than what I used in the past. Then next to it is an aluminium block used for holding the hooks in the lathe so I could trim them quickly. Then is a reshaped chisel to act as the punch for the die on the right. The small slug of steel is something new that I've put into the middle of the die to limit the depth that the brass can go, so I can adjust the angle and hopefully keep it consistent.
Closeup of the fixture. Not much holds it in but the slight wedge where the short end of the hook sits. You can see a flat spot on the brass wire from the punch, there's one on the other side too. The hooks on an old banjo I was looking at a while ago had the same flat spots and i'd assume they used a similar method to produce them as I did.
I'm still hesitating to go full steam ahead and make all the hooks I need (and a few spares), since there's still a bit of doubt as to if i'm getting the dimensions right.
S. Heslop:
Cut the rods to length. I need to clean my lathe at some point. The chuck isn't holding the rods, it's just at the end of its travel so I can pull the full rod out to touch it, and its then backed off a bit before cutting so it doesn't get in the way.
Next I need to thread them. My 4mm die came with a very cheap set from Lidl's, and the 4mm die unfortunately cuts noticeably undersize. I'm considering ordering a better quality one so my threads look a little less dorky. An M4 die costs £25 from Cromwell tools though so sod that. I might try getting one from arc euro trade, although it won't let me see estimated delivery times until I put my credit card details.
I think i'll check a couple of local hardware stores before ordering one for delivery. I'm impatient!
DavidA:
Just wondering, Would it be easier to thread all those rods using a tailstock die holder before bending them ?
Dave.
Fergus OMore:
If your cheap Lidl die is cutting too much( and Lidl dies are only for restoration work) you can refresh the die.
Frankly, you have already entered into a discussion here about making a set of dies etc. in - in this case- gauge plate. If it were me, I'd check how corresponding tap behaved and if it needed reducing in size, it would be a dead easy task.
Yes? It is what we Geordies called in the Pitmatic- ettling
Regards
Norman
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