@robin If it’s a Neapolitan bowl back type mandolin it probably is beyond repair. They are a nightmare and hardly ever play in tune. Good decorative pieces but that’s about it.

@boo I learned on a course in Lincolnshire in about 2003 and think I still have the notes, including how to make a bow string with a spliced loop from wax thread. UK wood isn’t much good as it’s too f...

@tej I will put my head on the chopping block and say no because Ash is very springy, so unless it’s all heart wood and very solid it will give under string pressure eventually. I made an English Long...

@mattbeels Looks like we’ve got some competition

@robin Good repair and I would say it will outlast you and me. I like the way you have made new rivet caps. I still can’t work out how they managed to rivet wood without crushing it. Superglue can be ...

@boo It sure does sparkle

I’ve noticed recently while buying parts online that there are some expensive templates for measuring nut spacing. Wonder if anyone has used one or if there are any opinions on how useful they are.

@robin Good job, it looks like you have it sorted. I was surprised when you mentioned a truss rod as banjos don’t usually have one.

@robin My preference would be to cut away some wood from where the bottom of the head butts against the neck and move the whole thing up, but there is a lot of string height to take up. Changing the ...

@powerful David Dyke is my number one supplier now for anything I can’t get from Bailey or wood where I want to do the jointing myself.

@robin Can you post a photo of the banjo where the neck and body are joined. I’m thinking you might need to carve some wood from the neck to get it higher up and improve the action. Altering the neck ...

@powerful Acoustic building is a big learning experience but I’m sure you will get there. For kerf lining in the UK I would try David Dyke luthier suppliers. Very friendly firm to deal with. You can’t...

@robin If the banjo has a makers name it’s a good idea to google check it first in case it’s a valuable antique. The string action sounds high and reasons for this could be: 1. the neck angle to the b...

@tv101 The repair kit was a surprise, I thought it would be 1 ton press or something really destructive

@robin If the plates are 1.5mm thick then I would put some protection on the soundboard, like thick plastic and lever them off with a chisel. Old adhesive shouldn’t be that strong to resist very much....

@boo Time for some allergy therapy, go on you know you want to. They can be black.

@robin I agree with @tv101 removing the name label will leave a worse mess and the wood underneath will be a lighter colour as sound boards darken with exposure to UV light when the instrument is out ...

@tej If use use the wrench method then don’t grip it too tightly the shock of hammering may go up your arm. Also if your wrench is made as a casting it may crack as caste metal can be brittle.

@robin Good point it depends on whether or not the handles get in the way of the de rusting and polishing, I’m planning to dip the metal in rust cleaner and clean the wood on a lathe. Some people lik...

@ tej Difficult I’m trying the same thing with 3 gouges my neighbour gave me and I can’t shift them at all. My next try will be to heat the blade with a blow lamp just in front of the brass ferrule an...