The banjo is an instrument that has many forms. There are gourd banjos, tackhead banjos, open-back banjos, and resonator banjos, among others. If you haven’t already, find some recorded music that you like that prominently features the banjo and find out what kind of banjo that is. As you listen to that music take a little time to relax and reflect on the idea of building a banjo. If you already have a banjo, holding it in your hands at this time may be helpful.

A few things to reflect on:

• Why not just buy a banjo?
• What kind of banjo build is appropriate for your lutherie and woodworking skill level?
• Where will this work take place?
• What tools are readily available?
• Will tools be purchased in pursuit of this project?
• What parts of the banjo will be built from scratch?
• What parts will be purchased?

The answers to these questions can inform your banjo building adventure in a big way. If lutherie and woodworking are new ventures it may be tough to answer these questions. The tougher it is to answer the questions above, the smaller one should start. “Right-sizing” the project will keep it fun and interesting while avoiding frustration.

If this is your first stringed instrument build, it may be helpful to buy a banjo kit, attend a banjo building workshop, or find a mentor. Kits are a great way to get into instrument building and can often be completed with household tools at the kitchen table. Make it a project to share with family and friends! A group workshop can provide access to an experienced builder and a robust tool kit. And hey, exploring and learning in a group setting can be a ton of fun! Working with a mentor is the best way to learn instrument building for the serious aspirant. A good mentor will speed the learning process, help avoid mistakes, and share their wealth of experience.

Building a Banjo from Scratch is Woodworking

Banjo building from scratch is serious woodworking. Those who are new to woodworking may wish to take on small projects to build skills. Consultation of introductory manuals and experienced friends is also encouraged. Those who are serious about developing woodworking skills may wish to seek out a job in a custom cabinet shop. The value of spending time in the company of a wood working professional cannot be under estimated.

Woodworking has serious health and safety concerns. The use of safety equipment is a must! Here is a short list…

• Hearing protection
• Dust mask
• Safety glasses
• Close toed leather shoes
• Gloves
• Hair ties or hat for managing long hair
• Clothing that fits and will not get caught in machinery or tools

The proper use of personal protective equipment is essential. It is possible to become badly injured or even get yourself killed from the misuse of a power tool. The biggest dangers in the wood shop are not paying attention, being careless, and failing to think an operation through. Be sure to have a good understanding of how to safely operate in the work space. Be sure to have a clear understanding of how to safely operate tools before using them.

Airborne dust may seem tolerable in small bursts but breathing it in is a health risk for the human respiratory system. Some types of wood dust are carcinogenic. Wear a quality mask or respirator that fits and is designed to provide protection against wood dust. Blow your nose into a tissue at the end of a woodworking session. Look at the result. You should see nice clean snot that is free of dust. If you see dust in there, then you know that your dust safety practices need improvement.

Vent airborne dust outside the workspace. A fan placed in a window by the workbench is the most basic approach to venting dust outside the workspace. Vacuums and dust extractors with high quality filters may also be helpful. Ideally, any dust collector should vent outside the workspace. Filters are helpful in maintaining healthy workspace air quality too.

Managing wood chips and fine dust are separate but related matters. Fine wood dust and wood chips behave differently. Fine dust may become airborne and pose a respiratory risk. Wood chips pile up and may pose a fire risk. Both may be addressed to some extent with the same dust collector by using a chip separator and venting fine dust outside the workspace.

An outdoor work bench may be a good option for some. But it’s still possible to find one’s self creating and working in a cloud of dust. It’s still important to use a quality dust mask designed to protect against wood dust even when working outdoors.